Hello all,

I have a concerning problem with my 2005 Fabia VRS.

Firstly someone has banged into the front off side corner of the car whilst it was parked (DIDNT LEAVE A NOTE!) and then upon starting the car it is now making a strange blowing noise from the engine bay. It may be a coincidence but it seems strange.

It is not constant but happens when engine is under strain for example during acceleration and also at higher speeds it is constant. Nothing to hear at idle or very low revs.

It doesn't seem to be the police siren noise and i'm hoping it is a pipe or something like that.

I have recorded an audio file of me driving the car. It is occurring for the majority of the video and you can hear me going through the gears at the start.

It occurs in all gears and seems to be coming from the side of the engine bay on the side of the steering wheel.

I have experienced no noticeable loss of performance but have not been pushing it in case its the turbo about to go pop.

It would be great if someone could have a listen to this and tell me what they think!

http://yourlisten.co...950914/fabiavrs

Any thoughts appreciated.

Edited 10 February, 201313 yr by coiner

Sounds like the intercooler has been damaged which is causing a boost leak, that or a rubber Intercooler hose has split. Unfortunately it's more likely the cooler though. It's positioned infront of the front O/S wheel arch, but best way to access it would be to remove the bumper.

Sounds like an ideal time to get a front mount! :sun:

Edited 10 February, 201313 yr by Ben90

Could have damaged the intercooler or one if it's hoses- that is in the o/s/f wheelarch, ahead of the wheel.

Thanks for the replies and taking the time to listen. Interesting to hear its probably the intercooler.

The damage looks purely cosmetic but I guess the impact could have been enough to cause problems.

Think it will be an insurance job. They are scum for not even leaving a note.

Edited 10 February, 201313 yr by coiner

Should I be worried about driving far it in its current state?

Am going to get it sorted at a mechanic but not sure where exactly.

Edited 10 February, 201313 yr by coiner

I'd not drive it too much, and try to keep it off boost as much as possible.

Because of where the cooler is situated even a little knock can damage it, it's not flexible. Might be worth getting a quote to see how much to get the car straight is first before going down the insurance route.

I took the bumper off and found that the pipe coming out of the intercooler had come loose and causing the blowing noise. It won't go back on tight because the two tags where it locks into place is damaged

Does anyone have a part number for that first U bend piece of pipe that comes out the bottom of the intercooler? Have seen in one thread it possibly costs 90 quid!

Found it - 101 quid. Oh dear.

http://www.skodapart...oler-hose-34706

Parts number is

6Q0145832C for future reference.

Does anyone know how quickly you need to notify your insurance company after an incident if you want to claim?

Edited 12 February, 201313 yr by coiner

Found it - 101 quid. Oh dear.

http://www.skodapart...oler-hose-34706

Parts number is

6Q0145832C for future reference.

Does anyone know how quickly you need to notify your insurance company after an incident if you want to claim?

The sooner the better I would say. Also, the area where you were parked, does it have CCTV covering the spot your car was parked at? Might be worth checking out.

The sooner the better I would say. Also, the area where you were parked, does it have CCTV covering the spot your car was parked at? Might be worth checking out.

Unfortunately no CCTV. I am tempted to knock on a few doors. It was a quiet residential street and was almost certainly the person whose drive I was parked near.

there are 2 fabias breaking in the for sale section personally i think you may be best getting a second hand one for a couple of quid and put it down to bad experience ... definitely not worth involving insurance and risking ncd and insurance going up for £101 and some inconvenience

and an intercooler at £20 should you need that too

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/256591-mk1-fabia-vrs-parts-clear-out/

thanks for the help Holmesie.

its going to insurance because after doing some sums the damage total was going to be more than my premium increase.

Edited 15 February, 201313 yr by coiner

Yes, but your premium increase will last for a few years !!

DB.