My VRS spat it's dummy out while I was driving to work last week.

There was a loud bang, a big cloud of black smoke & all power disappeared. This was just as I was overtaking a truck & with a rep mobile up my arse.

After a brief brown trouser moment I managed to limp the car to work & then limp it home again after work.

My VW owning workmates told me it was no big deal & it would just have blown off a boost pipe, because of the crappy joints they have.

On inspection at the weekend, it had indeed blown the bottom hose off the intercooler. So we set about securing all the boost hoses with some very substantial cable ties.

Once this was done the car was still whistling like a kettle, we traced the leak to the intercooler.

The plastic air duct had rubbed right through the end channel of the intercooler.

Is this a common problem?

I would say thats more likely that the car has been shunted on the front or had a small excursion offroad. It wouldnt rub as the plastic cowel fits tight. No biggie, just get a new intercooler

Fitted a new intercooler today.

It's good to have the Fabia back, as I've had to drive my wife's car all week.

I've owned this car for over 5 years now & it feels weird driving anything else.