Hi all I am hoping someone can help share their knowledge with me and save me from this gloomy pit I liked to call hell :,(.

 

I basically purchased a skoda fabia comfort 1.4 believe its an 8v W reg (2000). It cost me £500 has 122,000 miles I am unsure if this was a good price but anyway here I go with the problems i've encountered in the last 4 days that I have owned it.

 

So when I got the car I had a look around test drove it all seemed fine besides a slight squeal from the alternator belt which he sprayed with wd40 and disappeared until the next day? Anyway

 

I go home all was looking good and I felt a little happy as I felt like I had a bargain then 2 days later I go to start the car and no power. I got the AA out who confirmed the battery was knackered. Whether this was just bad luck or if the previous owner knew it was on its way out I dont no.

 

Anyhow £70 down I replaced the battery and now which I was not experiencing before the battery was changed is the car is having difficulty starting up. What happens is I turn the engine and it kind of turns and the engine kicks in, the revs climb and then the engine attempts to stay on but dies unless I give it the beans with the throttle then it will attempt to settle then it will sit at idle although the idle needle is steady the engine is quite lumpy and vibrates? 

 

Driving it appears fine but has a small hesitate at low speeds when I accelerate.

 

I just need a little guidance to if this is something thats going to be an absolute nightmare to resolve or if it could be a nice CHEAP fix as my pockets are very empty lol.

 

Thanks In Advance :-)

I'm no mechanic (but we do have the same car) and I really don't think spraying the alternator belt with WD40 is a good idea!

I think it will perish the rubber and cause it to slip.

As I said, I'm no mechanic and I hope (for your sake) I'm wrong. I'm sure there are more knowledgable people on here than me!

A slightly lumpy tickover appears to be 'normal' with these cars.

PS: £500 sounds about right to me.

I'd check the battery cables, make sure that they are clean and free of serious corrosion and are done up to a sensible tightness. Make sure that the battery clamps don't rotate freely around the terminal.

Also check the short battery earth lead which connects to the chassis leg. If you have a look at the end of the insulation and check that the copper inside isn't too corroded either. If it is then replace it.

As you say that this fault has only really occurred since the battery was swapped, provided the battery is the correct capacity, then the only other thing that may have been touched are the leads.

Ok so I've discovered that it actually only struggles to start once the engine is to temperature. When it's cold it starts on the button.

Does this mean anything useful?

Thanks Ben

Temperature sensor!

 

Replace it.

 

Simples.

 

Phil

Am new to Skoda too but on many cars hot start problems are related to the Cam Sensor going out of spec. Simple check for Cam Sensor is to get the engine hot and then take the Cam Sensor out and put it in your freezer for a few minutes, to quickly cool it down. Re-fit and if the car then starts fine then that sensor is at fault.

 

Of course Phil-E has suggested another sensor and is far more experienced with these cars than me.

 

I don't believe either part is expensive.

 

Chris

Thanks people I will give this a go tomorrow hopefully I can get it sorted :-)

Defo a temperature sensor. I think they are about £8 on ebay and a Skoda dealer once told me that all Petrol Mk1 Fabia's use the same sensor so it makes it a bit easier to buy it. (if its true of course)

Ok so after scolding myself as i didn't expect water to squirt out (apparently my dad claims its common sense ha) I changed the temp sensor.

After I have done this would it be fixed instantly as it is still doing the same thing?

I always get the bad apple when it comes to used cars :-(

IIRC it shouldnt need anything else. Just swaping the sensor should have done it, If it hasnt disconnect the battery for a short while then reconnect it, although some may say that should have been done when you swapped the sensor anyway as your working with electrics.