Hi all, my sons just bought a fabia 1.2 and it has a very shaky idle. I'm hoping its a clogged up egr system, dirty throttle body etc - something easy!

 

So is there a how to guide (egr clean etc) on here for the 1.2 petrol (AWY) engine - I have looked but could only find the diesel.

 

Thanks for looking

No EGR on an AWY, so consider that done.

 

Got a compression tester?

Ah, I was starting to wonder!

 

I do have a compression tester - you dont think its possibly the throttle body or a vacuum leak then?

Oh, it could be many things, but nice to rule out any fundamental issues with the engine early on - the 1.2s do have a reputation for exhaust valve problems - especially as you're already equipped to do so.  A nice even set of compression figures would reassure quite a bit on that. 

 

Cleaning out the throttle body is a fine idea, and while it's off you have a better view of the main vac pipe to the brake servo, I think. 

 

Anything in the history about a spark plug change or inspection any time recently? What year is it and what mileage is it on?

Thanks, will try a compression test tomorrow if poss. Unfortunately not much service history and nothing recent. Its an 03 with 95k on it.

 

Is the burnt exhaust valve problem due to faulty valve timing?

Hi Wino, just ignore that last question as I've now found some related threads on here - none of it very encouraging!

As encouragement, we bought our 05 one on 98k a little under 5 years ago, now on 145k and seems to be fine. It does get fresh oil pretty regularly (6 months/5k approx) as a longevity-enhancing precaution, but beyond that it hasn't given me much to do repair-wise.

It seems to be at least one burnt exhaust valve - holding a piece of paper against the exhaust pipe, its sucking the paper back to it. Either that or valve timing is out but that would give other symptoms. Oh dear!

 

This guys video is good

 

Isnt yours a16v? - they dont suffer from this problem do they?

Hers is a 12-valve, yep, but reports vary as to how much they are similar/different with respect to valve problems.

 

I've not heard of that exhaust check, is that common knowledge that I don't have, or on the video? Don't have time to watch it just now.

 

I think there's a cover you can remove at the nearside end of the cam to check the chain timing, with engine at TDC found via a 'stick' in through cyl.1 spark plug hole.

I probably saw the paper thing on youtube, never actually used it before. Going to take the head off and see what I find

Compression test first?

 

Good luck if you do need to get in there, please try to take a few photos if you get a chance.

That is a good video.  Only thing that I'd mention is that when he shows the timing chain cover coming off, he makes it look artificially easy, 'cos there's no sealant on it when he videos it coming off.  It will be stuck to the sump and the block and head, and I seem to remember there are a couple of locating pins that poke out horizontally, so when trying to break the sealant, pull/prize it in the sideways direction, not vertically off the sump.

Hope that makes sense. Haven't done it myself, but saw those locating pegs in some picture in Haynes maybe?

Thanks for the heads up, will aim to take a few pics 

Compression test showed 0, 80 and 50 psi (dry) and 0 130 and 100 psi (wet) cyl 1-3

 

Just stripping stuff off now to get to the head - out in the cold least its dry and bright!

Any news? Looks like at least two, if not all three cylinders affected?

 

Do you have sufficient info on the stripdown & rebuild process? Any thoughts on fitting a new chain/tensioner kit while you're at it?

 

I saw your request for timing tools but unfortunately can't help, ~£15 on ebay these days though (for a one-off use probably adequate, wouldn't expect them to be durable at that price)?

 

If you haven't already seen discussion of this, it's often reckoned that valve guide wear is a strong contributory factor in valve damage on these, so if there's any intention to keep the car for anything beyond short-term, it may be worth checking and if necessary addressing this by replacing the guides. Ramps up the cost of course though.

Edited 5 November, 20169 yr by Wino

Just spent hours yesterday stripping everything off the head - the exhaust fixing are very awkward. Probably going to do the main chain while I 'm in there. Got somewhere sorted out who can do the guides as they seem to be made of chocolate. 3 new exhaust valve ordered. I want to do a decent job as the boy will be keeping it for a while - the rest of the car is great apart from a few scuffs. Rain and a bonfire night hangover stopped play today.

 

Will post some pics when theres something interesting to see