Hello I have a 07 Fabia estate 1.9 diesel. 

Its done over 175,000 and up until now very few issues. It has been reluctant to start a few times where a rev or two has helped it kick in. 

My husband was driving down a dual carriageway yesterday and the engine cut out when he accelerated. 

 

So the rac and a local mechanic have been out. The car turns over and will start but then judders and cuts out. When disconnecting the pipe that come from the top of the engine into the air flow bit (not to technical with engines) it will run. Reconnect then If you take the oil filler cap off the engine will run lovely. No smoke from exhaust. Pressure coming from the oil filler as putting the cap back on blew the dipstick out along with a load of oil and nearly for the mechanic in the face.  

Many ideas? 

I would check the crank case vent system from top to bottom and ensure everything is clear and not blocked.

 

There is a chance that the engine is just worn out and the system can't keep up with the excessive blow-by

 

 

IS that something mechanically minded husband can check or find a good garage? Sadly the one we have been using for years shut down a few months ago as the owner has a terminal illness :(

Badly blocked breather, otherwise the engine wouldn't run well with the cap off.

6 minutes ago, SamCoal said:

IS that something mechanically minded husband can check or find a good garage? Sadly the one we have been using for years shut down a few months ago as the owner has a terminal illness :(

Yes, One of the breathers comes off the top of the engine and goes into the intake which is one you may have already had off.

 

 

7 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

Yes, One of the breathers comes off the top of the engine and goes into the intake which is one you may have already had off.

 

 

Yes - there is a strong air flow coming through that pipe as the mechanic thought that one might be issue. 

Air is flowing along this pipe. Disconnect it and engine runs fine. Put back on and it cuts out. 

1 minute ago, SamCoal said:

Yes - there is a strong air flow coming through that pipe as the mechanic thought that one might be issue. 

If there is a strong flow coming out then its doing its job and its not blocked.

 

 

19 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Badly blocked breather, otherwise the engine wouldn't run well with the cap off.

And that’s could cause the pressure in the oil system? Is it just escaping via there as the only way out?

3 minutes ago, SamCoal said:

Air is flowing along this pipe. Disconnect it and engine runs fine. Put back on and it cuts out. 

 

The blockage will where the pipe enters the plenum.

 

Get it all really clean and the car will be ok for a few more miles.

Edited 15 March, 20188 yr by sepulchrave

Take the pipe off where you have drawn the arrowhead and see if it is clear

16 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

Take the pipe off where you have drawn the arrowhead and see if it is clear

That’s where both mechanics took the pipe off. At the arrow head end. So air getting to that end. So check where it enters the unit - so after the arrow head? 

20 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

The blockage will where the pipe enters the plenum.

 

Get it all really clean and the car will be ok for a few more miles.

The plenum? 

2 minutes ago, SamCoal said:

The plenum? 

 

The bit where the pipe plugs into, the pipe, the cap the whole lot need removing and cleaning thoroughly to ensure they can cope with the gasflow.

@SamCoal - A day late more or less, but a second for the advice you've already got.

Looking at your pic I note the main air intake trunk from the airbox has been partly removed. Deliberately, by the position of the clips. I assumed that you know this and its part of the investigation of the fault. But if it isn't deliberate then it will mess up air flow sensor readings causing rough running. Needs reconnecting.

I have a bad feeling that sufficient crankcase pressure to eject the dipstick is a sign of more serious problems

I don't deny that this engine is breathing heavily at 175K but the crankcase breather should be able to keep up, if you block the breather on a brand new engine it will eject the dipstick, effective crankcase ventilation is fundamentally essential and without it any engine will not run for long.

1 hour ago, LB123 said:

Looking at your pic I note the main air intake trunk from the airbox has been partly removed. Deliberately, by the position of the clips. I assumed that you know this and its part of the investigation of the fault. But if it isn't deliberate then it will mess up air flow sensor readings causing rough running. Needs reconnecting.

I have a bad feeling that sufficient crankcase pressure to eject the dipstick is a sign of more serious problems

Yes that was the rac chap who clearly didn’t reattach. Will get husband to do that properly later. Thanks! Good spot

@sepulchrave I really hope It’s just a crankcase breather. All fingers crossed. Husband is having a look over weekend and then it’s booked in at a garage next week that specialise in vw Skoda Audi etc