Hello all,

 

Going to be returning to the garage soon, but just wanted to tap some of your vast combined knowledge to go in armed first please

 

I took my 2004 Fabia 1.4 td in to a garage to have the tracking checked (no real problems with it, just hadn't had it done in ages and wanted to keep my tyres good.)

 

Was told that the rear suspension bushes were shot and that I would need to change them before having it done.  Did a bit of research on these forums and apparently it is a common thing at my cars mileage (53k ish) so had it done yesterday.

 

Hadn't noticed the deterioration but after the work was done, the car felt much more responsive and rode the bumps much better, no complaints there. 

 

However to the point (the bad news), since the work, the car is much noisier at low and high speeds.  There is a hum that fills the cabin which actually gets quieter as the car speeds up however it is always there.  I know it isn't a scientific method, but my radio is always on level 15 for the last 18 months, last night and today I have had to turn it up to 18 to hear it clearly.

 

In addition the car is a lot less forgiving now if you are in the wrong gear, for example, at 22mph in 3rd the hum is there but all is well, drop to 19mph in 3rd and the car shudders, the steering wheel shudders and the gearbox makes a clattering noise, unless I push the clutch in or change to 2nd immediately.  It has never been that harsh before (the same sort of thing happens in 4th at the 30mph mark too)

 

The mechanic did say, when explaining his labour charge, that the suspension had to be dropped, the gearbox mounting was dropped and a few other things.  The car is definitely not how it was before the work.

 

I am not getting any negative feedback through the steering, vibrations, or juddering, only when I am on the "crossover" points between gears.  The hum however doesn't sound like road noise.

 

I am not mechanically minded at all, so I hope my flowery description can be translated into something technical, but do you think possibly my gearbox has not been re-mounted correctly, or needs tightening or might it be something else?

 

Any info gratefully received.

 

JD

Sounds like he has fitted Powerflex solid bushes for easiness of installation.

 

I posted this on another post yesterday.

 

[i removed my Powerflex ones for a bit of peace and comfort, the vibration and noise was totally unbearable.

 

DB.]

 

 

I don't think the Powerflex bushes suit the 1.4 TDI engined cars.

 

DB.

 

Edited 25 June, 201412 yr by mogwye

sounds like dog bone bush has been changed not the suspension ones

Let us know how you get on please. I've always had this with my car since I bought it but I thought it's just a characteristic of the smaller engine and the way it's geared. It makes that rumbling sound you describe which makes you feel like you need to change down but it will still pull along just fine.

I had a lot of trouble getting similar job done last year, garage kept doing it wrong, made the problem worse before it got better. I got a second opinion from a good independent mechanic and my MOT man, then went back to the garage armed with that information and forced them to fix it. Not saying its something the garage has done, but if it is, sounding like you know what you're talking about and what you are entitled to have fixed FOC will get you far...

Update,

 

Just popped into garage today, so far everything on good terms, he confirmed that he used the Cupra R bushes.  He has said that he has done a few of these before but I am the first to point out the problems....

 

Went for a test drive, I pointed out the issues. 

 

I have booked it in on Monday for him to take a look at the tracking and he says he will check the gearbox bolts, however he thinks that its a combination of the harder suspension (I had got used to the soft suspension) and that maybe I need to adapt my driving style.. I honestly can't remember if I had the same issues back when the car was new (that was 10 years ago!!) and whether I drove more agressively back then.

 

I tend to change gear at less than 2k revs per gear, which on the old bushes there wasn't a problem, but now makes the steering and gearbox rattle.  He seems to think I need to allow a little more revs between gear changes and that I am making the engine labour.  He seemed surprised that I would be thinking of changing in to 4th at 35mph and 5th at 40... shouldn't I be?

 

I guess I am hoping that we can meet somewhere in the middle.

 

Further updates Monday I guess.

 

JD.

I can use 4th at just over 35mph without problems, it only seems to labour if you try 4th at 30mph. I stay in 4th right up to about 47mph though, 5th gear when doing 40 seems to labour the engine. Obviously this differs if you're going up hills/tight bends etc. In the last 4000+ miles I have averaged about 59mpg (manually calculated) so I've got to be doing something right!

 

MPG: http://www.fuelly.com/car/skoda/fabia/2004/Dazza95/274323

Edited 26 June, 201412 yr by Midlands95

I get similar gear to mph ratios as PPs and avg 58 - 65mpg on a motorway journey (even fully loaded with a slightly open window). My stretch of M25 is currently a 50 zone and I can cruise that in 5th if its clear, though usually in 4th. I whizz through 1st to 3rd/4th though in most setttings.  

 

As for humming bearings can do that so check wheels and cv joints too? One thing I learned with suspension after some great escapades last years in they're like domino trails, one section goes and then the rest follows. Mine was pretty much rebuilt (just one original driveshaft and tie-rod left and they're close to replacement).

I'm a big advocate of the powerflex console bush however in the 1.4tdi I would only ever fit the x section style bush.

Maybe I do need to modify my driving a little.....

 

According to the onboard MPG calculator (which to my knowledge has never been reset) I am averaging 54 MPG so I shall push that rev counter a little more and see what happens....

 

JD

Maybe I do need to modify my driving a little.....

 

According to the onboard MPG calculator (which to my knowledge has never been reset) I am averaging 54 MPG so I shall push that rev counter a little more and see what happens....

 

JD

 

54mpg would be OK if it's just city driving that you're doing? I think peak torque is produced at 2200rpm with the AMF engine. I find changing up at just over 2000rpm gives a really nice progressive drive and doesn't effect economy. Obviously I change up at slightly higher revs for hills or when joining fast motorways etc.

Edited 26 June, 201412 yr by Midlands95

I can use 4th at just over 35mph without problems, it only seems to labour if you try 4th at 30mph. I stay in 4th right up to about 47mph though, 5th gear when doing 40 seems to labour the engine. Obviously this differs if you're going up hills/tight bends etc. In the last 4000+ miles I have averaged about 59mpg (manually calculated) so I've got to be doing something right!

 

MPG: http://www.fuelly.com/car/skoda/fabia/2004/Dazza95/274323

 

It sounds to me as though your engine is not timed absolutely spot on, with both my cars they pull away cleanly (ok but pick up fairly quickly) in 5th at 1000 rpm, if your car will not do that I think you will find your cam timing is not correct.

 

Using VCDS you need the Torsion Value 'Meas Blocks' setting at - if it's a 75 BHP - 00.00 - if it's an 80 BHP - 00.5.

 

It can take ages to get it spot on but it's worth it in the end, good performance and good MPG.

 

I use a cheapo handheld unit with the cheapo lead plugged in with my laptop using VCDS Lite Version.

 

There is a good tutorial on Briskoda, if you cannot find it, let me know and I will post.

 

DB

Edited 26 June, 201412 yr by mogwye

It sounds to me as though your engine is not timed absolutely spot on, with both my cars they pull away cleanly (ok but pick up fairly quickly) in 5th at 1000 rpm, if your car will not do that I think you will find your cam timing is not correct.

 

Using VCDS you need the Torsion Value 'Meas Blocks' setting at - if it's a 75 BHP - 00.00 - if it's an 80 BHP - 00.5.

 

It can take ages to get it spot on but it's worth it in the end, good performance and good MPG.

 

I use a cheapo handheld unit with the cheapo lead plugged in with my laptop using VCDS Lite Version.

 

There is a good tutorial on Briskoda, if you cannot find it, let me know and I will post.

 

DB

I might have this issue myself with the vRS

I find driving about town etc is really annoying. I have to be in the right gear with no exceptions, and if I get stuck behind somebody that can't drive at a steady speed, slowing right down for corners, braking at oncoming cars, etc.. It really does my head in having to constantly change gear every 2 seconds. If I drop below 30 in 3rd for example, the car starts to labour and takes ages to pick up. There is also a kind of 'dead spot' between 1st and 2nd where 2nd is too much and 1st isn't enough and the car will either labour or stall if you are crawling in traffic.