Hi all,

My little Fabia which will be celebrating its 12th birthday in Jan is feeling a little worn.

I know the 1.4mpi was a solid no frills engine, mines coming upto 80000m.

Only mods Pipercross airfilter, Whiteline REAR ARB

Issues.

1.Coolant Leak unidentified for 2 years.

2.Squealing from front when steering l + r at low speed (both sides bearings changed at 65k)

3.Bad thudding when hitting potholes (engine mounts??)and near non existant dampening feel in front suspension

4.Juddering when accelerating hard (very poor throttle response)

5.Cutting out intermittently when downshifting dropping clutch in 2nd gear. (fuel filter??)

6.Loads of vibration through the cabin from engine rattle.

7.Reduced fuel economy 28mpg aroun town some times.

8. Fan only working on speed 4 (tried the new element still not working)

I know I should really put her into a garage but I dont want to get ripped off, have a baby due soon and money is tight.

The car is only worth £600.

Any ideas as to what to be looking at sosts etc

I am happy to try most jobs on the car

Just changed the plugs and oil and awaiting a new fuel filter.

Cheers all

Lee

1.Coolant Leak unidentified for 2 years. - New coolant cap has been known to solve the issue before? (only a suggestion?)

2.Squealing from front when steering l + r at low speed (both sides bearings changed at 65k)- Discs & Pads? When were they last changed?

3.Bad thudding when hitting potholes (engine mounts??)and near non existant dampening feel in front suspension - Front shocks, possibly drop links and console bushes?

4.Juddering when accelerating hard (very poor throttle response)- tried cleaning your air filter? i see you run a PiperX Filter, try an OEM one

5.Cutting out intermittently when downshifting dropping clutch in 2nd gear. (fuel filter??)- Pass.

6.Loads of vibration through the cabin from engine rattle. Gearbox mount and or console bushes

7.Reduced fuel economy 28mpg aroun town some times. Thats usual for the old engine, can be improved with a new MAP sensor but not really worth it, Speak to Chris Coates, hes currently trying to improve the old 8v lump in his.

8. Fan only working on speed 4 (tried the new element still not working)This link should help you out

Hope this helps

Edited 11 October, 201114 yr by Barbourc1

1.Coolant Leak unidentified for 2 years. - New coolant cap has been known to solve the issue before? (only a suggestion?)

2.Squealing from front when steering l + r at low speed (both sides bearings changed at 65k)- Discs & Pads? When were they last changed?

3.Bad thudding when hitting potholes (engine mounts??)and near non existant dampening feel in front suspension - Front shocks, possibly drop links and console bushes?

4.Juddering when accelerating hard (very poor throttle response)- tried cleaning your air filter? i see you run a PiperX Filter, try an OEM one

5.Cutting out intermittently when downshifting dropping clutch in 2nd gear. (fuel filter??)- Pass.

6.Loads of vibration through the cabin from engine rattle. Gearbox mount and or console bushes

7.Reduced fuel economy 28mpg aroun town some times. Thats usual for the old engine, can be improved with a new MAP sensor but not really worth it, Speak to Chris Coates, hes currently trying to improve the old 8v lump in his.

8. Fan only working on speed 4 (tried the new element still not working)This link should help you out

Hope this helps

Cheers for all of that, food for thought, sorry I should of said its a Pipercross Airflow system (replaces the old airbox) but Ive got the spray to clean and reoil.

Edited 11 October, 201114 yr by LGEARING

poor accel/mpg - more than likely map sensor and/or throttle body.

If you've never cleaned it, chances are it's gunked up something chronic and that's where i'd start.

Can of carb cleaner, can of electronic component cleaner (for the map) and some patience.

Then before putting it all together i'd prevent any more getting into your system by blocking the small pipe of the crankcase breather with a screw and some ptfe tape, and re-ducting the crankcase breather to a catch can. I should really get around to showing off my bodges with some pictures. Lol

As for the coolant leak you can't find...

...I'd suggest that it's more than likely the head gasket if it's never been changed and is an old one.

I'd start at the throttle body, then do the map, then consider checking all the pipes and thermostat, then work my way to thinking about head gasket.

If by squealing you mean something constant or just a random squeak... If it's a random squeak it'll be arb bushes and or consoles more than likely. If it's a constant squeal then i'd be inclined to say brakes.

If you've never changed the fuel filter as part of normal services, i'd suggest you do it.

For the cost of a superpro dogbone mount I decided it wasn't worth it and instead bought some PU to fill the voids in it - if you can afford not to use the car for a day, it's a pretty easy job. The PU cost me £10.

how much did it cost to get your bearings replaced? Might have to get mine done this year

Back, or front bearings?

Back, or front bearings?

Front ones

Does anyone have any pics diagrams on cleaning the trottle bodies?

Had the car up on the ramp today and Ive been told I need the Wishbone rear bushes replaced (the drivers one was well off center) and the dogbone bush too.

Also the top engine mounts are in need ofd replacement.

Any reccomendations as to which ones to purchase and where are welcomed.

Also since I cleaned the air filter and replaced the Fuel Filter the cutting out is more prevalent, would the idle reset battery off/on be a worth while experiment?

The rear wishbone bushes is a common issue. To help prevent it in future it is best to get the uprated ones provided by Skoda fitted.

Throttle body is where air goes into the engine after your filter. There's a black plastic "slug" held with three prongs. Remove the bolts, and lift the cover off. The bit that needs the most cleaning attention is the round plate inside the metal tube, called a butterfly valve.

The rear wishbone bushes is a common issue. To help prevent it in future it is best to get the uprated ones provided by Skoda fitted.

Throttle body is where air goes into the engine after your filter. There's a black plastic "slug" held with three prongs. Remove the bolts, and lift the cover off. The bit that needs the most cleaning attention is the round plate inside the metal tube, called a butterfly valve.

Thankyou, sounds like the throttle body cleaning is fairly stright forward.

Garage quoting approx £500 for the Wishbone bushes, engine mounts and coolant leak fix.

How do you change the fuel filter ?

is it easy?

I have a replacement but dont want to start it unless I can finish it !!!

cheers Sam

sorry its a Fabia 1.4mpi 2000 reg

How do you change the fuel filter ?

is it easy?

I have a replacement but dont want to start it unless I can finish it !!!

cheers Sam

Easy, look under neath the car about level with where the doors meet, you'll find your fuel filter, it's held in place by a screw and plastic strap. The screw will probably fall apart as soon as you touch it. First thing to do is check what filter is in place as 3 versions are used on the Fabia from memory, yours is probably the 3 prong. Pay close attention to what pipe goes where. If you can't get the screw out then you'll be cutting the strap, personally I just put a chisel through it without damaging the filter at the edge, the pipes support the filter as it's alloy it weighs very little so t'll still hold the filter and you could use a cable tie. Now push the blue clips on the first inlet pipe together and pull the pipe off, you'll loose a little but of fuel, connect up the new filter, same with the second rear pipe, now do the same with the front pipe. Remove the old filter and replace with the new one. Now connect the front pipe. When you connect each pipe push it till you hear a click.

When it comes to starting it'll be slightly harder the first time as the filter is empty etc. persevere and it'll start.