I have a Fabia 1 vRS with the later BLT engine. I'm aware of a fix that reduces the flow of the EGR system to prevent the 'stutter'.

http://www.fabia-vrs.com/technical-info/blt-engine-hesitation-fix/

I got my 9mm gasket from my local Skoda dealer and attempted to fit it today.

The first thing I have noticed is that someone has marked the EGR pipe by the gasket joint with the letter 'M' in black marker. Could the 'M' stand for 'modified'? I've heard that Skoda offer the gasket modification free of charge but will fit a 13.5mm gasket instead of the 9mm one due to emission regulations. Do you think that the 'M' mark is a Skoda thing? Any one seen a similar marking?

I tried to look at the gasket myself but I cannot for the life of me manage to undo the allen key bolts from the top of the engine. No idea how to do it. Any tips?

UPDATE: Still unable to undo those damn bolts.

I decided to take the vacuum line off the EGR valve and plug it with a golf tee. Doing so made no noticeable difference to performance so I guess the gasket has already been modified. I never actually understood what the 'stutter' should feel like, but I guess this means that it's already been fixed? Any thoughts?

Edited 8 May, 201115 yr by piggoy

UPDATE: Still unable to undo those damn bolts.

I decided to take the vacuum line off the EGR valve and plug it with a golf tee. Doing so made no noticeable difference to performance so I guess the gasket has already been modified. I never actually understood what the 'stutter' should feel like, but I guess this means that it's already been fixed? Any thoughts?

If you look at the top photo on your link site you will notice the 9mm gasket has a small bump sticking out of it. You may be able to feel for this without taking the housing apart and at least answer your question of whether it is already modified. It's my photo so I can vouch for it!

If you look at the top photo on your link site you will notice the 9mm gasket has a small bump sticking out of it. You may be able to feel for this without taking the housing apart and at least answer your question of whether it is already modified. It's my photo so I can vouch for it!

Very good point :yes: . The 9mm gasket I bought has those bumps like the picture. The gasket in my car doesn't, so I guess it's still got the problematic 25mm one. Do all BLT vRS's with the 25mm gasket have the 'stutter'? I can't feel any hesitation in mine apart from what appears to be turbo lag. De-activating the EGR valve made no difference. One thing I don't get is that the emissions light didn't come on when I unplugged the vacuum hose from the EGR valve :S

Very good point :yes: . The 9mm gasket I bought has those bumps like the picture. The gasket in my car doesn't, so I guess it's still got the problematic 25mm one. Do all BLT vRS's with the 25mm gasket have the 'stutter'? I can't feel any hesitation in mine apart from what appears to be turbo lag. De-activating the EGR valve made no difference. One thing I don't get is that the emissions light didn't come on when I unplugged the vacuum hose from the EGR valve :S

You're into contentious territory now as there has been huge debate about this in the past. In my opinion they all have the stutter (a hesitation at 1800rpm on light throttle in the higher gears) but whether it bothers the driver is down to personal opinion.

For what it's worth mine was cured of the stutter by the 9mm gasket, but I did get the occasional engine warning light when driving like a granny in maximum economy mode. I drilled it out to about 11mm, but it didn't stop the eml issue. Car is long gone now and I'm back to petrol.