Hi there

I have just purchased a second hand Fabia 1.4 16v on a w reg (2000) and I am experiencing a multitude of problems and hope to get some ideas, so here goes.

1) The engine idle is very lumpy and when I dip the accelerator very slightly the revs will actually drop off abou 150 revs or more and then pick up

2) There is a bit of tapping on start up, maybe lifters but not sure, though it just about goes when warm

3) If I take off the filler cap when running it blows lightly and gives off a small amount of smoke, I thought that there should be slight suction but not sure also there was a shed load of sludge in the crank breather

4) some sludge has built up around the inside of the filler cap but not much also it uses about 100ml of coolant every 50 miles or so

I have changed the oil for a quality fully synth 5w 40 and I have yet to check compression, plugs etc...

Having said this the power seems ok and isnt using a masive amount of fuel

Any feed back would be great. :S

P.S this should be under The Fabia MK1 forum thread!!!Where to start.....???? Right.. most people do not drive these engines as they should be, skimp on the fuel quality (it only likes 98RON, Shell Vpower)etc. etc. Because of the alu head, camshaft carrier etc they have a tendency to produce "mayonaise" sludge!! It needs a thorough clean out!! Get the crankcase breather pipe off and the filter box (black plastic under intake manifold about 3 or 4 t-star bolts) off, and clean, soak with meths petrol etc then clean and rinse, dry, or buy new, clean area where they join onto engine! Before doing this it would be better to drain 1/2lt of engine oil, put a can of Wynns engine flush in oil filler, let engine idle for 15mins,then drain hot(leave to drain for 1hr !!, remove oil filter. Replace oil filter with new OEM (fill with new oil to prome filter) and new OEM sump plug. Then refill using Mobil 1 0-40w oil. Whilst you have been carring out this work you should also remove the battery negative lead for about 40mins, then reconnect it. Once you have the new oil in, crankcase breather pipe & filter back on then DO NOT TOUCH ACCELERATOR pedal!!! Turn on ignition, let engine idle for about 30mins. During this time engine will hunt and sound as if it's going to stall, it's now resetting its idle point as by removing the battery supply it looses it's "learnt" settings which cause it to idle and hunt incorrectly!! And yes they do still sound tappety when cold!!! Any more info???

Edited 2 April, 201115 yr by fabdavrav

Thanks for the reply, I am a bit of a forum newbie in general aswell as a skoda first timer, so sorry for posting in the wrong place.

I will carry out the procedures you have outlined and will hopefully reduce sludging and buy the right oil this time. I did not realise that it needed to run on 98ron or more so will look through my manual again to see if i have missed any thing else.

Thanks and I will post if I have any more questions/info