Hello everyone,

I've just bough a Fabia 1.4 MPI and the temperature gauge is playing up. From what I can gather from this excellent forum is that this is a common problem but quite an easy fix.

My question is: is it OK to drive in the meantime (I'll have to wait a couple of days before I can get my hands on a new 'stat)?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Regards,

Charles

Hi Charles

Welcome to the Fora, I am unable to answer, though someone will be along shortly to advise

National aka Jimbo

Ok, perhaps it was a stupid question!

Not at all, but what are the symptoms your car is suffering from? If the car is warming up properly and you're getting a decent output from the cars heater, but your gauge isn't reading anything then I reckon you should be fine provided you can be sure the car isn't likely to overheat. For peace of mind I'd get the car checked and fixed ASAP, but that's partly because I hate things not working on my car!

It's common for the thermostat housing itself to break internally meaning the thermostat does not work. If the heater gets nice and roasting hot after 10 mins but the gauge says zero then it's a fair bet you just need the temp sender. I can't foresee any problems driving it either way, if the thermostat is broken it will use more fuel, if just the temp sender is faulty the temp will not read properly and it will use more fuel, but in this cold weather I doubt it will be an issue by the time you get a new temp sender/thermostat. It might be worth getting both e.g. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Skoda-Fabia-1-0-1-4-Mpi-Thermostat-Complete-BRAND-NEW-/390106754590?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5ad42cae1e

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by anewman

Hello everyone,

I've just bough a Fabia 1.4 MPI and the temperature gauge is playing up. From what I can gather from this excellent forum is that this is a common problem but quite an easy fix.

My question is: is it OK to drive in the meantime (I'll have to wait a couple of days before I can get my hands on a new 'stat)?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Regards,

Charles

Mine went in the very early New Year. My Engine Temp stayed low for about 10 mins then just shot up to its normal temperature. The Car drove fine and if memory serves me right it cost about £18 for the sensor and a good friend (who a mechanic) ordered and fitted it on for me. Hope its the same for you, its horrible when something go's wrong, but strangely satisfying when its a cheap repair!

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/61178-fabia-coolant-temp-sensor-how-to/

It's worth looking in the hole where the sensor goes, and if you can see the thermostat spring or any other metal part, you will need a new 'stat body, as has been mentioned. It's worth getting the non-OEM part from Jorily, as it uses a circlip to hold the 'stat in, rather than the plastic lugs on the original.

HTH

My Gauge has been faulty for about 5 months, its like its having a party in my dash lol 0 - 20 - 0- 40 - 90 - 0 - 90 - 20

You say the gauge is playing up and you have no signs of the car overheating so do you really think the Stat is gone?

do the temp sender first then if it still does it try the stat.

That reminds me.... still need to do mine

The 'stat failing will make the car run COLD, not HOT! My point is that it's a common fault that you can check at the same time as doing the sensor...

The 'stat failing will make the car run COLD, not HOT! My point is that it's a common fault that you can check at the same time as doing the sensor...

Well thats the first time i have heard that. iv always know a failing stat to make the car overheat........

OK, I'll clarify - it's the thermostat HOUSING that actually fails, meaning that the thermostat plunger springs out and makes is so that it's effectively always open.

Comme ça:

Some thermostat failures mean the thermostat fails in the closed position leading to overheating as water cannot circulate to the radiator. On the MPI it failing in the open position is more common as the clips break, which means all the water goes to the radiator and it is overcooled. I suspect that if the thermostat failed in the closed position on the MPI it would put more pressure on the clips and they would then just break.

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by anewman

Hi Charles

Welcome to the Fora, I am unable to answer, though someone will be along shortly to advise

National aka Jimbo

Charles

I had same problem with temp gauge taking an age to show any signs of warmth, when I took the thermostat from the housing it just fell to pieces.

I found on Ebay, Thermostat, thermo sensor and housing all for £25.00 from Czechoslovakia, took a few days to receive and about an hour and half to fit as drained all system, replaced expansion tank as everytime I started water level light would apear due to worn coolant level sensor in tank, also gave me the chance to replace antifreeze, but pretty easy job.

This solved my problem and gauge now working perfectly and no more beeps from warning light.

Like you I was reluctant to drive the car without knowing what temp my car was running, also ECU thinks car is cold so will use more petrol and affect perfomance.

My advice would be to fix A.S.A.P.

Hope this helps as sounds like it could be thermostat rather than sensor.

Regards

Matthew

Many thanks to everyone who replied.

Fortunately I bought the car from a dealer and it's still under guarantee so I can get it fixed this weekend.

On a side note, this looks like an excellent (and friendly) forum and I'm sure I'll be popping in every now and then!

Cheers,

Charles

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by charlesg

Eurocarparts have this on special (on ebay) at the moment - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350912855338?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 and you can click and collect. £22 compared with £35 on their website!!