I hope one of you guys can help on this.

Our Fabia Silverline 1.4 keeps showing the red flashing water level warning on starting (despite the level being correct) and the temp gauge is erratic - sometimes seeming to take ages to warm up then working fine after switching off and on again.

I'm assuming there's a sensor on its way out, but which one and where?

Any ideas and "How to"s much appreciated.

Ian

Either the one in the coolant expanision tank.....or the actual thermostat in the the rad or the engine....as you dont' say which 1.4 engine

It's an 03 Silverline with the 1.4 Mpi petrol engine

The thermostat is known to fail on these..........and the housing is carp............replace thermostat and housing......right side of engine block at rear, black plastic block with rubber hoses.......also remove and clean the expansion tank....or get a new one as this includes the built in temp sensor....then refill properly with skoda/vag G12 plus + pink coolant........full drain down required....also do a flush out as well......remember to turn the heater controlls to full hot as this will open out the heat exchanger to allow a proper drain down!!!!

i hope you have a Haynes manual and some tools!....allow about 2 to 4hrs..including clean up!!!

Thanks for the great advice. The thermostat was shot and the new unit comes with a temp sensor. Not a difficult job. Bottom hose clip a bit tricky with 10" mole grip as when it's wide enough to get round the clip, it's too wide to open it up enough to free the hose.

Now installed and all OK.