Went to see a used car for sale today, with no.1 son.

 

Its a Fabia Greenline Estate 1.2 diesel, '60 reg. A few niggles of course, but overall pleased with the car (engine lovely and quiet on startup, no smoke, all the usual things were oK - until I drove it. Oh dear.

 

But rather than jump to conclusions, perhaps someone on here that has or has had one of these, can enlighten me

 

1) Cambelt or chain (it looked like it should be belt, but I have heard 'orrible things about chains!)?

 

2) In my experience, if the clutch pedal comes up a looong way before it bites, then the clutch is shot - unless someone more familiar with these cars tells me otherwise?

 

Those are the easy bits - but now we come to the engine

 

3) Lack of power. Nothing below 2000rpm - flooring the throttle in  any gear (even first) didn't result in any acceleration until the revs climbed above 2000 - 2500 rpm, unless going downhill. Well, acceleration under any circumstances was an exaggeration, more a gathering of speed if you caned the engine. My first thought was that it is non-turbo (if it had one, it must have been very small!). But I questioned the owner about EA189 and yes, it has had the fix recently. And the DPF light does come on from time to time, but is cleared by the usual motorway wizz

 

So, what am I looking at - a 1.2 non-turbo diesel hauling around a car which, with 3 normal sized people in it is simply faaaar too heavy for the engine, or a motor that has been ruined by the fix?

 

Car has about 90k on it, is tatty but solid and drives really well apart from the clutch and lack of power. For my son, if it is non-turbo that's a bonus (less to go wrong), and the resulting lack of power is all to the good with zero tax and great economy, and will do for a year or two.

 

But if it's been "dieselgated" with the associated issues when that goes wrong (EGR failure, DPF failure, accelerated injector wear and goodness knows what else) then it's high-risk purchase.

 

Any thoughts please - thanks, Richard. Oh, and if anyone knows how much a clutch replacement for one of these costs, that would be useful (West Midlands prices!)

 

PS Almost forgot - any significance to the auto stop/start not working? My ODB scanner doesn't pick up any error codes.

Edited 12 June, 20188 yr by RMurphy195

I have the older, 1.4 Greenie so can only offer minimal advice as yours is supposed to be an upgrade (!). They are all turbo as far as I know. Standard among these. I did not even know the Greenie needed The "FIX" so I would almost certainly question this at perhaps a main dealer, prior to buying. (The seller might be thinking you would want the latest software/parts upgrade). The stop-start might not work if the battery is a bit flat or weak so a new battery will be in order! The older ones are belt but that MAY have changed but I doubt it. At that mileage, it is ready to do and you will probably want to replace the water pump at the same time. Budget around £500 at the main dealer. Clutch, if worn can be £350 at clutch place, to around £600 main dealer UNLESS the dual mass flywheel is damaged. Then, the price for parts will double, labour being about the same, perhaps an additional half hour!

 

If it LOOKS battered and ALL these things are faulty, unless you are literally being given the car, look for another as there will always be one! I would rather travel the length of the country for a good one, then buy a crock locally and spend a fortune repairing it!

 

DTW, I just been reading up on DPF's and apparently, they can "go" from as little as 20,000 miles OR last 250,000 miles depending on circumstances and build. The Fabia has quite a small one so don't expect the latter! Stop-start technology may well help it die quicker as will small, slow journeys. They need to clear the soot AND burn off the ash, created BY the soot. Use a low ash oil, particularly designated for these cars!

I've a 2013 Greenline II Estate and it's definitely a Turbo! (1.2Ltr 3 cylinder Turbodiesel)

 

Mine has had the fix done also, but it's no different from before it was done... ie; unless you rev it hard it's a tad gutless (on 75bhp) saying that, it does pull nicely once going. I've loaded mine to the gunnels for Camping with the wife (neither of us are small, and our camping stuff is mahoosive) and it's still nice to drive! get up to speed and pop the cruise control on.

 

Mine has (as of the other day) don'e 89,000 miles since new and I've still not seen the DPF light come on!! and the clutch pedal is still nice a 'tight' 

 

I've get go get yours checked at a garage (either main dealer or independent) just incase! especially with the prices mrgf has quoted!!!