I have recently bought a low milage 2007 Fabia 2 1.4PD TDI. When gently pulling away there is suddenly a low vibration/resonance if I let the revs drop to 1000 rpm and this just as suddenly disappears as the revs rise. Also there is an even lower resonance at any speed on the overun. Any ideas where these noises emanate from and can they be cured?

I have recently bought a low milage 2007 Fabia 2 1.4PD TDI. When gently pulling away there is suddenly a low vibration/resonance if I let the revs drop to 1000 rpm and this just as suddenly disappears as the revs rise. Also there is an even lower resonance at any speed on the overun. Any ideas where these noises emanate from and can they be cured?

Hi Taw, Welcome to the site...we're glad to have you onboard.

Well, you've bought one of the best Fabia's made. The 1422cc 3 cylinder motor is virtually totally bullet proof. Just make sure you use the right PD VW oil in it and it will last forever.

Regarding your noises...what you describe is totally normal if you are letting the engine revs die down a bit too much on moving off. 1000rpm is a bit low and the clutch springs etc will make a noise as they absorb the power strokes from the engine. Most people when they switch to the 3 cylinder unit have to re-adjust there driving style and get used to the engine's 'unique properties'! It does need a few more revs on moving off, this also avoids the transmission noise that I believe you are hearing. The same when slowing down. If you leave the clutch engaged for too long in a high gear the transmission rumbles and vibrates as the engine fights the slow revs. That's all it is. The transmission noises are just normal and probably slightly agricultural to what you may be used to. You will soon get to know your new car. If anything bothers you just ask on the site and someone usually has the answer...Good luck.

Hi Taw, Welcome to the site...we're glad to have you onboard.

Well, you've bought one of the best Fabia's made. The 1422cc 3 cylinder motor is virtually totally bullet proof. Just make sure you use the right PD VW oil in it and it will last forever.

Regarding your noises...what you describe is totally normal if you are letting the engine revs die down a bit too much on moving off. 1000rpm is a bit low and the clutch springs etc will make a noise as they absorb the power strokes from the engine. Most people when they switch to the 3 cylinder unit have to re-adjust there driving style and get used to the engine's 'unique properties'! It does need a few more revs on moving off, this also avoids the transmission noise that I believe you are hearing. The same when slowing down. If you leave the clutch engaged for too long in a high gear the transmission rumbles and vibrates as the engine fights the slow revs. That's all it is. The transmission noises are just normal and probably slightly agricultural to what you may be used to. You will soon get to know your new car. If anything bothers you just ask on the site and someone usually has the answer...Good luck.

Hi Estate Man

Thanks for the reply. So you are saying that the resonance at low revs and the slight 'moan' on the overun at any speed is normal for the diesel Fabia? Perhaps I am expecting too much from a small three pot diesel. My previous car, a 1.6 petrol Felicia, gave us 96000 miles of trouble free motoring and I could trickle along quietly at 800rpm in first gear through trafic holdups then smoothly, albeit very slowly, pull away. I suppose I thought the 1.4 diesel would be as smooth and flexible. I guess I'll have to change my driving style a bit. When I get used to it I will probably be as enthusiastic about Fabia ownership as I was about Felicia. At present the Skoda dealer has the Fabia back trying to find out why the headlight range adjuster does not work.

Hello again Taw. Anyone coming from a petrol car to the 1422cc TDI engine will notice a considerable number of different noises to start with. This engine is less refined than a petrol unit. But if your new motor is still very low miles, you will notice it gets generally quieter as the miles go on. However, when you say resonance on the overrun, are you able to describe this noise in more detail...eg. roughly where you think it is emanating from, engine, gearbox/transmission, a resonance from the dashboard etc? For example, my 1422cc TDI estate made a loud resonance/rattle from the passenger side dash area (not too uncommon on this model but easily fixed). This went undiagnosed for a long time untill a Skoda mech noticed it was the air induction mounting behind the front grill. The pipe is a push fit into the housing and at certain speed and engine revs it resonates with the noise travelling up the pipe into the bulkhead area of the car and making it sound like the passenger air bag was loose or something of that nature. It drove me crazy for months as I just couldn't find it. But when a 'special' piece of tape!! was applied to the area where it resonated, it was totally cured. Peace at last!

Other than that, and the noise you get if you move off with too few revs or when traveling at slow speed in first or second gear at low revs with no throttle (it grumbles alot on the overrun) the car should be quiet. You can still trickle along in first gear as you did before but the engine idles at around 800rpm + or - a little so it won't be very smooth or quiet. However, once you know the car you will soon discover how to do things like this without any noise. It just takes time to get used to the car which has slightly long gearing too. These engines are good for 300,000 miles if serviced correctly and rarely do they ever suffer a problem.

Edited 2 July, 201115 yr by Estate Man

Hi Estate Man

When I get the car back from the dealers I'll listen to the noise again and perhaps mail you again. Thanks.