Evening all,

 

I've been trawling the forums for a couple of days now and although I came across a great picture tutorial on how to do the above, the engine was a different layout to mine (wife's). The EGR valve is tucked away right at the back, with a little semicircular metal shield next to it and a wire of some sort which really gets in the way. Because it's right up against the bulkhead, I can't see how to unplug the connector to get the wire out of the way - so I'm a bit stuck. I'm finding all the engine codes very confusing too.

The problem I'm trying to deal with is the engine warning light is on all the time and the coil light quite frequently. There is also a strong diesel fume smell when the car is stationary. From researching, the EGR valve seems a possible culprit, so that's where I'm starting. Got myself a cheap and cheerful code reader, which couldn't find anything (so that's going back!) so it's a process of elimination. The engine is clearly going into limp home mode when the coil light comes on, as there's a noticeable loss of power.

Any hints, tips or directions to an appropriate download or tutorial would be gratefully appreciated.

 

Many thanks,

 

Brian

Update: Wife took the Fabia out yesterday (problems still persist, as above) and was waiting to turn into a junction. Approaching van slowed to let her across and when she went, the car just crawled at 0.5 mph! Confused the van driver no end, apparently. Wife tried to accelerate - and a big cloud of smoke came out the back. Car struggled for a brief time, then suddenly the coil light went out and the car took off like nothing was wrong (no longer in limp home mode, evidently). I still think this is an EGR valve problem but I'm very much an amateur so what do you more experienced/competent guys reckon? Could it be a DPF issue? It's done 93k by the way.

 

The diesel fumes issue seems related to the cabin pollen filter. I took it out to have a look and now I'm having trouble getting it to stay back in. Needs replacing anyway by the look of it - but it also seems to be held in by an L-shaped bit of plastic and I'm thinking it should be U-shaped, so is broken. When I push the filter and plastic all the way in, it leaves a slight gap, which seems to be where the diesel fumes are entering the cabin.

 

All good fun.

 

Cheers.

 

B.

I don't think a poorly fitting cabin filter would lead to the smell of diesel.  Air in the fuel system, or poor fuel mix will lead to smoke and stink from the exhaust. Not sure if the 1.4 has any common problems with injectors or glow plugs failing?  Could be EGR / DPF related too - might even be a cheap and simple sensor playing up.

 

Have you considered getting your hands on a code reader to check the stored codes (local dealer or indie garage)?  Might be a good way to point you in the right direction instead of replacing expensive bits until it's fixed.  Some fabs have issues with the wiring loom as well which can cause false symptoms.

Edited 19 February, 20179 yr by jme808

Thanks for that jme. Yep. Tried a cheap one - which told me absolutely zilch. Too confused about what to buy so gave up on that idea. As it's getting near the end of its 3-month warranty, I've decided to bite the bullet and get my friendly neighbourhood Skoda dealer (not where I bought the car) to diagnose and sort it, hopefully for just the cost of the diagnostics (ever the optimist!). Bought my Octy 1.6tdi from them and they seem decent enough so far.

 

It's a whole new Skoda world!

Well, here's an update, for anyone interested.

Skoda dealer diagnosed a turbo actuator problem. Should have been covered by the warranty. It had to be sent off to a turbo specialist for examination and guess what? It wasn't covered. Turned out someone in the past had fitted a non-standard actuator and it hadn't been calibrated, so warranty nul and void. Typical. Wife is now trying to claim some recompense via the credit card company, as it was a "hidden fault". We're not holding our breath.

£651 quid later, the turbo has been refurbished - properly - and refitted. Initially the car ran just as badly as before and the engine light and coil light were still coming on - along with a brief appearance from the DPF light - so back to the dealer it went. We knew from photographing the milometer that the test drive done following the work had been minimal (less than a mile!). 

Anyway, give them their due, the garage investigated - and found a split pipe which hadn't been picked up first time around. They fitted a new one and, hey presto, the little Fabia is flying! Drives like a proper car now. No further charge from the dealer either, to their credit. And they tested it for about eight miles this time!

Yes, the brakes still need doing and the rear suspenders aren't all they should be but at least the blessed thing runs as it should now.

As an aside, since I duct taped up the cabin pollen filter housing, there's no more diesel smell inside the car. I suspect the plastic "carrier" thing which holds the paper filter is incomplete. It's only got three sides, which seems wrong to me, and doesn't hold itself in the slot too well (hence the duct tape). Another job for another day. The steep learning curve goes on .......