Fabia 1.4 TDI - 80 BHP engine.

I have had several attempts to get to the bottom of this knocking noise when the engine is first started from cold, just sounds like a camshaft knocking (metal to metal) on one cylinder only. Once it's warm it runs perfectly.

Looking through old technical postings it sounds as though one of the injectors needs recalibrating.

How is this done and what should it be re-set to.

Any help greatly appreciated.

DB.

Edited 16 June, 201312 yr by mogwye

Any of you technical wizards know??

DB.

Is it 100% coming from the injectors?

I can only assume it's the injectors, the cams look perfect, it's more noticeable in cold weather, so much so I keep it below 1500 rpm until it's quiet and warmed up (about 5 mins).

It's also noticeable that the fuel consumption increases when the tapping noises are evident. I always have the Trip Computer set to MPG per trip, so I know when leaving home that at certain junctions it should be approx ?? MPG, but when the engine is tapping the displayed MPG is much lower.

During it's warranty period I contacted Skoda customer services to report the problem, they insisted that a Skoda garage must investigate the problem, however when I presented the Skoda reply letter to the dealer, I was informed by the Skoda dealer that they would investigate, BUT if nothing could be found they will present me with an Invoice that may be as much as £500 (that was 3 years ago). Needless to say I was frightened off at whatever the outcome could be. They were not really interested in resolving the problem which they did reckon it could be a 'lazy injector', whatever that means.

So after reading through lots of historic postings it really does sound as though it may be one of the faulty injectors needing re-calibrating, hence me asking how it can be re-set and what should the settings be.

DB.

Edited 18 June, 201312 yr by mogwye

I Have exactly the same problem on SWMBO's 520d!! Afaik it is a "sticking injector" problem and can only addressed by replacing all of them as they come in calibrated batches of four. I found sets for anything between £500 and £240.

I had the same problem as this, I think you commented on it mogwye. Have you tried the solution I found with the diesel purge??

The whole set up cost me £15 and it stopped my ticking injector. Let me know if you need help with this but Youtube has a really good instructional video for a PD engine.

Incorrect settings of the injectors should show up in self diagnostics with the offending injector being different to the others.

I had the same problem as this, I think you commented on it mogwye. Have you tried the solution I found with the diesel purge??

The whole set up cost me £15 and it stopped my ticking injector. Let me know if you need help with this but Youtube has a really good instructional video for a PD engine.

Sharpyy, would you mind providing a link to that "diesel purge kit" please. I not particularly keen on changing the injectors... Thanks

I run the usual diagnostics (using DashCommnad OBD2 dongle) and no faults returned. Will check again. I do not think I have the ability with this kit to monitor particular injectors I do not think?

Sharpyy, would you mind providing a link to that "diesel purge kit" please. I not particularly keen on changing the injectors... Thanks

I run the usual diagnostics (using DashCommnad OBD2 dongle) and no faults returned. Will check again. I do not think I have the ability with this kit to monitor particular injectors I do not think?

It will be a slightly different setup on the BMW though, I'd hazard a guess that the same principles still apply.

I had the same problem as this, I think you commented on it mogwye. Have you tried the solution I found with the diesel purge??

The whole set up cost me £15 and it stopped my ticking injector. Let me know if you need help with this but Youtube has a really good instructional video for a PD engine.

The Diesel Purge has arrived, I plan to do it on Saturday, fingers crossed.

DB

Keep us posted!

did u checked the timing? get a vag cable and check it. my1 used to do it just after the timing belt changed. here is how http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/multi/PD-adjust-Idle-TDI.htm

Thanks stevencage77, I note the video is for a 4 cylinder TDI engine, can I assume the settings are the same for a 3 cylinder 1.4 TDI engine, if not does anyone know ??

DB.

Thanks stevencage77, I note the video is for a 4 cylinder TDI engine, can I assume the settings are the same for a 3 cylinder 1.4 TDI engine, if not does anyone know ??

Should still be as close to 0 as you can, it's a very fine adjustment though which took me a few attempts.

The "shade tree" or "under the arches" garage version maybe...

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_112521/article.html

J.

Thanks vindaloo, that info sure throws more light on the subject.

DB

its the same idea. i have the same engine as urs.

Update, I used the injector cleaner and since I have not heard the noise, however whether it appears when the temperature gets a bit colder, I hope not, fingers crossed.

I also adjusted the cam sprocket as per the helpful instruction videos.

So a BIG thanks to all who helped.

I have since downloaded the VCDS lite to see what I have set the timing at, but when in 'Options' & 'UBS port' it wont find the 'interface' perhaps I should start another thread to find out, unless it's something simple that someone can advise.

DB

Update, I used the injector cleaner and since I have not heard the noise, however whether it appears when the temperature gets a bit colder, I hope not, fingers crossed.

I also adjusted the cam sprocket as per the helpful instruction videos.

So a BIG thanks to all who helped.

I have since downloaded the VCDS lite to see what I have set the timing at, but when in 'Options' & 'UBS port' it wont find the 'interface' perhaps I should start another thread to find out, unless it's something simple that someone can advise.

DB

Glad to hear it !!

It was colder on Saturday morning and sure enough the tapping noises were still there.

DB.

It was colder on Saturday morning and sure enough the tapping noises were still there.

DB.

Not so glad to hear that..

Did you use the whole can of Diesel Purge??

Yep, sure did (500ml).

DB

Edited 24 June, 201312 yr by mogwye

Yep, sure did (500ml).

DB

Try VCDS and log the injector values (think it's group 11) you may be able to see which one is playing up.

I run two tanks of Shell Nitro+ Diesel and it did make it less pronounced. Sadly the price difference from normal Morisson's crap is perceptible...I think it works to certain extent but perhaps the damage is of such kind as it cannot be undone i.e. not just some rubbish in need of cleaning but someting wonr off? I am no injector specialist so no clue what it coud be since CR injectors are different from PD ones