The one time my wife fills up the Fabia she chucks £30 worth of unleaded in it. My local and very helpful garage went and collected the car, did what they do when one's wife makes this kind of mistake, and it's running again.

The engine sounds the same as ever, goes perfectly well, no problem there. But, when I start it on a warm engine it doesn't fire anywhere near as easily, taking a few turns of the crank and being quite lumpy whilst its being started.

The opinions of the forum as to the likely problem would be very welcome. I could ask the garage too of course, but you guys know your stuff.

Cheers all.

Edited 21 August, 201411 yr by budfox

Be interesting to know what they did. Was the filter changed? How many miles have you done since they fixed it?

How much did they take for what they did,

and did you not ask details on things?

 

george

I haven't actually asked the garage what they did when fixing the car, but discussions beforehand suggested that they'd drain the tank, flush the fuel system through, and replace whatever filters needed replacing.

I certainly got the impression that they'd done this on quite a few occasions and to be honest I'm just glad the engine is running again.

I also took the opportunity to have the oil and oil filter changed as it was approaching 10k miles since the last change.

They haven't sent the bill yet, and I'm sure that when they do send it it will specify the work done. I really should add that this a very well respected local garage. I've used them for a number of years and completely trust them to charge me fairly.

As I've just bought a new car I was going to sell the Fabia, but I'd want it to running perfectly again before selling it. If I can't get that sorted I'll keep it and sell my Aygo instead.

Thanks all.

P.s About 150 miles since repair.

Edited 21 August, 201411 yr by budfox

I did exactly the same thing when I had a Fabia VRS.   garage pumped out tank, flushed the fuel system with diesel, and changed the fuel filter. All was well after, cost was £150, of which disposal of old fuel was £90 on it's own.

I did exactly the same thing when I had a Fabia VRS.   garage pumped out tank, flushed the fuel system with diesel, and changed the fuel filter. All was well after, cost was £150, of which disposal of old fuel was £90 on it's own.

Same with my van.

 

If I hadn't been so bloody gormlessly angry, standing there growling and ranting at myself out loud about the latest increase in the cost, I'd have noticed I was filling up with petrol to the tune of £50.

 

Managed to slowly drive the granite fuel pumped 1.7 to my friendly garage 4 miles away, and he pumped it for me for £50, and fitted a new fuel filter.

 

Lesson learned at the pumps...........................C O N C E N T R A T E !!!!! 

Edited 22 August, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Sounds like there could be air entering the fuel system or the pressure dropping. If the fuel lines are not sealed on to the filter properly this could be the cause. I believe the system remains pressurised (primed) when the engine is off.

A few years ago, using one of the fuel additives was among the recommendations. Millers maybe?

A longish run may help it settle itself down.

I've only done this once, like Victor, inattention at the pump. Fortunately I'd only put a gallon or so in so topped off with Diesel and just drove. It was an old TUD Peugeot though, went on till well past its 200k birthday.

Sounds like there could be air entering the fuel system or the pressure dropping. If the fuel lines are not sealed on to the filter properly this could be the cause. I believe the system remains pressurised (primed) when the engine is off.

 

Thanks to all.

 

The above comment is noted, but wouldn't that make the problem manifest itself when starting from cold as well? I do wonder if there's some fuel starvation though, because putting my foot on the throttle when starting makes it fire more readily.

I would consider changing the Inline Fuel filter again.

 

(i assume the Air Filter is a fresh one,

and that the car has had an Oil & filter change since the mis-fuel, ie just normal Servicing.)

It has had an oil and filter change, but probably not an air filter. I'll check now and replace the fuel filter again too. Thanks

Air filter looks fine, I think it has just been replaced.

 

A couple more things to note. Firstly, I can confirm it will start fine from cold, and fine if restarted straight away. It seems to be a problem when it's warm but has been left for a while. I can't help feeling that fuel is running back down the fuel lines rather than being readily available to fire the engine. But that wouldn't explain why it starts OK in the morning would it?

 

Now having opened up the bonnet to check the air filter I notice a high-pitched whine coming from the unit at the top left of the engine bay. It might have always done that for all I know, but weird nonetheless. edit - this is apparently the vacuum control box, but you guys know that.

 

Also, having done a bit more research it seems that my semi-faulty brake light sensor might be part of the issue. Sometimes that warns me of a failed bulb when I put my foot on the brake, but the bulbs are just fine. Not sure if this is related but somewhere on this forum there was a suggestion that a faulty sensor could cut the fuel. (That's just thinking out loud, but I didn't want a "well why didn't you mention that...?").

 

Also, that sensor thing way a problem waaaaay before my wife put petrol in the thing.

 

Thanks for help though everyone, I'm sure I'll get this sorted as I want to sell and and there's no way I'd want to if it wasn't running perfectly.

Edited 24 August, 201411 yr by budfox

Same with my van.

If I hadn't been so bloody gormlessly angry, standing there growling and ranting at myself out loud about the latest increase in the cost, I'd have noticed I was filling up with petrol to the tune of £50.

Managed to slowly drive the granite fuel pumped 1.7 to my friendly garage 4 miles away, and he pumped it for me for £50, and fitted a new fuel filter.

Lesson learned at the pumps...........................C O N C E N T R A T E !!!!!

My dad did a similiar thing with my mums old astra 1.7 estate. Saw the price of diesel and thought thats expensive so brimmed it with unleaded instead.

id get that dodgy sensor replaced, it might just be coincidence thats its acting up now....

Thanks to all.

 

The above comment is noted, but wouldn't that make the problem manifest itself when starting from cold as well? I do wonder if there's some fuel starvation though, because putting my foot on the throttle when starting makes it fire more readily.

 

Sorry missed the warm start bit. :(