Hi, went and viewed the fabia SDI today and bought it.

Drives really nice actually and seems to have a bit more ooomph then the OH's SDI estate. A couple of questions though if you guys can help.

It's a classic and has no trip computer! Arghhhhh, I love fiddling with the trip computer on OH's! Is it possible to fit the necessary bits to give mine the trip facilities or is it not feasible?

Also, engine seems to have quite a bit of oil in the rubber ring around the oil filler. I've cleaned it and done 30 miles since and it has got a bit wet again. Nothing major, but OH's doesn't do this at all. It runs lovely, no smoke, no misfires and pulls very well. Anything I should be worrying about? Logbook shows 1 owner from new (a lady) theres plenty of history with the car and the car is very clean inside and out so the mileage (78k) appears genuine.

The read drivers door once locked with the central locking will not unlock with it and wont lock using the handle inside. However, if I pull the handle inside it kinda gets stuck half way as if something is a little jammed inside but if I hold it at that point and press the keyfob, I can feel something move in the mechanism and if I release the lever, I can then open the door from the outside. Locking it again however locks it solid again. Any clues?

Good choice (I've got an SDI too!) Nice engine. Is it oil leaking from the oil filter housing, it could be an o ring. If you are planning to change the oil or filter you could check for damage, perhaps its been screwed on wrong, or too loosely.

I had a problem with my rear central locking, and have heard the same on a couple of other SDIs, weird, perhaps it was something on the production line. I had to disconnect the wire to the central locking inside the little rubber cover between the body and the door as mine had failed. If you take the fuse out for the central locking it will make it easier to see whats happening as the electric lock "dead locks" the door. (You do know you need to pull the handle twice to open it dont you? once to unlock, then once to open, just like a 80s mercedes!)

"Also, engine seems to have quite a bit of oil in the rubber ring around the oil filler. I've cleaned it and done 30 miles since and it has got a bit wet again."

It's very difficult to actually get all the oil out of that ring, so it quite possible that a little bit left in has spread itself round again. If that's not the case I would say the seal on the filler cap isn't doing its job. I can't see where else oil can be coming from. I would remove the ring, turn it inside out, make sure all the oil has gone, refit and see what happens.

One good thing, at least the back door does open-mine didn't until brute force with a chisel was used.

The H/B ought to feel a little quicker as it's carrying a little less weight.

Sounds a nice buy. For filler cap (t's and l's are easily confused on a screen) check breather hose is clear. For doors; a good high pressure squirt of thin oil / WD40 or similar into the whole door would be a good start and might save the dismantle chisel work later on.

Thanks guys.

If I pull the lever on the back door you can see it tries to raise the button but you can feel the lever isnt full doing its job ie it won't fully move to the open position. if that makes sense. I'll take the door packing off and have an investigate. 2 years ago in the history theres a repair and replace rear door locking mechanism so possbly the job wasn't dont right.

Filler cap oil. It is a little fresh oil after i cleaned it so there does seem to be a little breathing going on there somewhere. Seems odd though as holding my hand above the filler hold does gove a slight feeling of blowing but if i gently press my hand to the engine cover over the hole the blow becomes a suck which I always understood was correct. I'll clean it again and pinch the OH's filler cap for the day and see how it goes as hers is always very dry around the filler.

Another question. It was cambelted in june 2008 at 41k miles so is due ish on time. Horrible job to do in this weather so thinking of leavin it till the summer. Given its not even done 40k since and some of the ones being sold on ebay have 70 and 80k on em with NO cambelt changes in 8 to 10 years do you think it should be ok? I'm a bit paranoid about cambelts but certainly dont want to make work for myself in the winter!

I'll take a pic andpost it up later. Make a change from all these boring pics of poxy VRS's

Edited 3 January, 201313 yr by capriman

Quick update, Swapped the filler cap with OH today and 100 miles later the area around the filler cap is still bone dry so clearly an issue with the cap. I do like easy fixes!

Very tidy. If it looks like that all round you've got a good un.

Looks nice. Very clean looking.