Hello all, and thanks for this forum, I have bought a used Fabia cr 1.6 diesel and the alarm goes off randomly an it stalls on hills sometimes.

I had let the fuel go down to 10miles remaining so I suppose some gunk has got into the injectors. 

 I have been driving it for a few months now and there was the glow plug symbol lighting up and flashing now and again, will get it plugged in tomorrow for a diagnostic check, and I probably have been a bit easy driving it, having being used to a petrol, driving in a 1500 -2500 rpm range. Will give it a good rev all the way to the redline once a month? 

I changed the key battery as had been saying low battery for ages when remote lock wouldn't work and thought that might have set alarm off. But has started going off again today but had stopped for a few weeks after doing it for just one day.

 

So has an injector failed or just got clogged after near empty tank. Should  I use best injector cleaner like trade Forte or popular Seafoam etc? and the alarm issues? just the indicators were flashing and no alarm in the carpark today.

 

And any general advice please? the cam belt is a Continental 130,000miles lifetime one but 7 years old. So I guess for peace of mind I should change it, its on 71k now. Also is it easy to change the oil my self? and waht self or garage service should I do? new air and fuel filter? This is my second car and aprecciate any advice thanks very much!

more info..

Ebay bargain, its a 2010 1.6 TDI CR

Also there was no history with it apart from the previous owner was elderly and could no longer drive it and it was left in the driveway. It had missed a years mot so could have been standing for a year or two. 

I only do 7.5 miles at a time a few days a week and one day a week 2x 35miles. odd extra 2x 25 miles here and there.

I do keep it revved about 2000rpm generally in 5th, but i guess from estateman it should have a full rev blast once a month.

Will wait to see what the ECU diagnostic says at the garage tomorrow and report back. 

My last fabia petrol 1.4 mpi was so easy and reliable with just basic wear and tear. Hoping this one will bed down, with a oil change and injectors cleaned with fuel additive, or replacing one? and dont know about the alarm system. Is it because a fuel injector has gone?

The odd stuttering and engine stalling on hills started after I went down to only 10miles left in tank. So presume its gunked up the injectors? and not an electronic or other mechanical issue?

Really appreciate any advice as havent got used to what is needed with a looking after a diesel before. And time to service it and want to know what is best to spend my money on as on a budget at the moment.

All the best with happy driving for all of you

 

Edited 28 March, 20188 yr by BlueFabiaDieselCr

Changing the Fuel Filter would be an idea, any gunk if the was any should have been caught there, that is what it is for.

On a 10 mile indicated fuel range the engine might well not be getting the fuel needed on a hill.

 

Is it the Alarm siren that needs replacing because it's battery is going flat?

Thanks, yes that sounds a good idea to change the fuel filter. As won't be able to filter much more if it has let stuff get into the injectors to block them up. 

It is struggling on hills and loss of power problem because of a blockage in the injectors. 

Edited 29 March, 20188 yr by BlueFabiaDieselCr

Is there a separate battrry for the alarm? Don't know why the alarm is still going off randomly. Hopefully if it is not making noise then the main car battery will last. 

thanks very much taking it up for a diagnostic check and will report back.

Diagnostic reading said 7 ecu faults.  like can shafts.  alarm to horn signal?

cant remember all the genral areas. they reset it and will see what the current status is as could of been old faults. garage said change fuel filter first of all.

cheers all if you have any advice please 

Yes there is a battery in the alarm siren.

I seem to remember a recent thread and someone that opened and replaced instead of a new siren.

 

The Service Book when there were ones showed as a Service item to replace at 5 years.

Left standing would almost certainly mean new air/oil filters, along with fuel filter and oil. Perhaps a cabin filter and a re-gass once you have settled things to keep the A/C sweet.

Hi thanks for the info, I will look into it

 

I put some car lube diesel cleaner in and it was really rough going at first but after an hours driving was only occasional stalling and more drivable, learning about it being happier at 2000rpm on hills now. Wonder if the fuel additive released tons of gunk from the fuel filter and if it will clean the injectors?

 

So fuel filters etc not changed yet?