Hey, I recently bought a Fabia Vrs MK1 and came across this site when ever i googled any questions,

I'm in love with it, but unfortunately it has some problems which i have no clue about as this is only my second car and my first was a 1.2 petrol.

As soon as the turbo kicks in, a HUUUUUUUUGE cloud of black smoke comes out the exhaust and continues to keep coming out when i keep my foot hard down on the accelerator, and when im in 5th/6th gear if i keep my foot half the way down on the pedal or any further down the turbo packs in and i have to turn the engine off and then start it again for the turbo to work again.

I've been to a garage and they say theres an air leak in the lower boost pipe so they've ordered me a new one and its going to cost £165 all together to fix it, and it sounds like their is air coming out somewhere when the engine is ticking over - is the pipe the cause of the constant black smoke and my turbo packing in?

Also when i rev the engine in neutral theres white/grey smoke coming out from behind the engine (with bonnet up) - any clues?

I only bought it on sunday and im fearing the boost pipe isn't causing the noise, black smoke, and smoke coming from behind the engine and it's scaring me cause i don't even want to drive it in case my turbo blows.

The car is a 54 plate and has done 84k miles, any help would be hugely appreciated as i have no clue what so ever.

Thanks, ell.

Have you checked that the boost pipe hasn't disconnected? - a common problem...

The boost pipe is connected, the garage is saying that the connection is loose so air is escaping, but would that cause huge clouds of black smoke and my turbo to constantly cut out? Also would it cause smoke to come up from behind the engine?

Thanks.

I wouldn't keep driving it if I thought there was a problem...

I boost leak will cause the smoke you have described that's for sure.

Alright so ill get the boost pipe sorted, does that also cause the turbo to pack in and the smoke coming from behind the engine?

White/grey smoke doesn't sound too good !

Is it using any oil or water ?

i dont think so r1chard, but when i take the engine cover off it comes through the little gap you can see through

Best to get the inter cooler pipe sorted first the see if it's any better.

What affect would that have? Ill get them to check it tomorrow

It's a 90 degree elbow underneath the car sometimes also called a 'boost return pipe' 9/10 vrs have issues with it and yes makes car seem loud.. lots of black smoke, loss of power. Prob a split in the pipe which opens on boost. Google sfs performance they will sort you out a silicon pipe to the exact same spec with better connectors for prob only 10 more then garage will charge for OEM part.. which will only fail again.. the connectors are useless as they are rubber with a metal coat and they wear down easy and the pipe slips , creating boost leak even if still attached ((possibility in your case and mileage) maybe the connectors are worn down and the pipe is slipping on boost. Could be starving the turbo of air from a leak in pipework which could lead to it conking out.. I recommend bottem intercooler/boost return pipe changed and see how you go from there

But sfs connectors are metal cast and won't wear down :-)

But sfs connectors are metal cast and won't wear down :-) they do a lot of fabia bits so may have one on shelf but they actually make the parts themselves

Now this smoke behind the engine.. you haven't got a crack/split in the pipe under your egr have you? Gasket leak/pipe split in this area gives you a puff of smoke on start up . Had this problem with mine.. one of the pipes under the egr was actually cracked hence the smoke at startup I witnessed

Sorry for the flood of replies but.. if they are going to charge you for that small pipe at 165 why don't you get the turbo pipe kit of just over 200 which replaces all the rubber pipes with rubbish vag connectors with silicon pipes and jubilee clips :-)

I think ill do that skoda boy, and ill tell the garage to have a look at the pipe under the egr thanks a lot!

No worries keep us updated

Shall do! As soon as i get the boost pipe fitted at 1pm im gonna go on long road with it to see if it cuts out or the black smoke continues, the back of the car at the minute is completely black :/

Definitely sounds like a boost leak, New bottom pipe will resolve this and I bet you will see on the old pipe the connectors are worn down. Wash the car and you should have a relatively clean boot from then on

Under the bonnet there is a black plastic pipe that runs up alongside the alternator.. make sure that isn't rubbing on the pulleys and check the rubber pipe that connects to that pipe isn't loose (the one running down to the alternator) by your headlight. Also the top 90o bend pipe that goes into the egr ... Basically check every pipe that has the suite vag clips looool

Cheers mate

http://m.flickr.com/photos/84136446@N02/7703389166/lightbox/ photo of my bay for references the orange pipe is the top pipe which may be a little loose causing smoke from under engine bay (or its coming from under the egr). It's attached to that plastic pipe check the pipe connected at the bottom of this, that can be a bugger to. 5 min check just as quick to swap over... But I would go ahead with the pipe underneath the car first as that always seems to be the first out the set to go lol

Got it sorted thanks mate! Perfect now, except the fact that my exhaust wasnt welded properly so it isnt sealed, and im gonna need a new pipe that comes out of my turbo? Haha

The exhaust leak may explain the smoke through engine bay .. may be worth replacing all your pipes with silicon ones when you have the funds and time as they all seem to ne taking it in turns lol.. I do hope you get to the bottom of this :-( they are fun cars to drive I promise!! :p