Hi all,

 

First post, so go easy on me!

 

I've become the owner of a Fabia 1.2 (2003) in the last month and put it through a full service a week after picking it up. Unfortunately, in the last few days the EML has come on as I was driving down the M5, so I dropped in to a main dealer who, after fault checking it, produced one of these sheets (attached). The chap from the work shop advised the following:

 

1. Check the main wiring loom for water ingress - apparently a common fault and one that Skoda may be willing (subject to service history) to contribute towards replacement

2. If the loom shows no sign of water, replace the "Bank 1" sensor - which I presume is the Lambda Sensor adjacent to the engine (?) if so, could someone who's not technically/mechanically minded do it?

 

The only thing i've noticed is that the fuel economy is really poor, which could explain why it's flagged up as running "too rich"?

 

I decided to buy an OBD II reader and download the "Torque" android app which referred to the Bank 1 sensor again. I've just cleared the code, EML has gone off and i'm hoping that after 100 miles or so,  it doesn't come bcack on again and that i'd just have to leave with the poor fuel economy.

 

Does anyone have any comments to add/suggestions on whether I should just go ahead and replace the Lambda Sensor? 

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Chris

Suggestions from official documentation for fault code 16556  – Test fuel pressure regulator and holding pressure ⇒ 1.2/40; 1.2/47 Engine - Mechanics ⇒Rep. Gr. 20 .

                                                                                                      – Check the exhaust gas system for leaks (particularly when using lambda probes).

 

 

For fault code 16804                                                                     – Read measured value block, display group 046; check values in display field 3

                                                                                                       – Inspect exhaust system for leaks or inspect for damage if necessary between both lambda probes

                                                                                                       – Perform the exhaust-emission analysis ⇒ Maintenance ; Fabia .

 

Is the exhasut noisy? Possible broken flexi joint?

 

Thanks Wino. Having not owned the car for long, I can't say whether the exhaust sounds noiser than 'normal' but I wouldn't say it sounds particularly noisey.

How long had the engine been running when you captured the 83 degrees C?

Possible thermostat over-openness?

I think all of these issues stem from the excessively rich running, over-fuelling tends to soot up and foul both the Lambda probes and the catalyst.

 

The most common cause of over-fuelling is a faulty ECT sensor causing the ECU to believe the engine is always cold. I would replace the ECT sensor first and do a hard reset by disconnecting the battery and forcing the engine to re-write the dynamic map during a long run down the motorway to burn the probes and the cat clean.

50 minutes ago, Wino said:

How long had the engine been running when you captured the 83 degrees C?

Possible thermostat over-openness?

In all honesty, I can't accurately remember. I will take another reading tomorrow aand let you know what that is and how long the engine was running for. 

6 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

I think all of these issues stem from the excessively rich running, over-fuelling tends to soot up and foul both the Lambda probes and the catalyst.

 

The most common cause of over-fuelling is a faulty ECT sensor causing the ECU to believe the engine is always cold. I would replace the ECT sensor first and do a hard reset by disconnecting the battery and forcing the engine to re-write the dynamic map during a long run down the motorway to burn the probes and the cat clean.

Thanks sepulchrave. The temparature guage in the car has never been particularly high, almost always it's at the mid-point. 

 

If you still think it's worth changing this sensor, would you advise taking it into a garage to get it replaced? Also, any idea of cost of the parts required?

4 minutes ago, it02s28 said:

Thanks sepulchrave. The temparature guage in the car has never been particularly high, almost always it's at the mid-point. 

 

If you still think it's worth changing this sensor, would you advise taking it into a garage to get it replaced? Also, any idea of cost of the parts required?

 

The gauge is not linked to the sensor so it's not going to tell you much. The ECT sensor is cheap and you should just go ahead and replace it then reset the ECU and take it for a long motorway run to get the cat and the probes really hot.

 

Errrr, I feel like I'm repeating myself here....

16 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

The gauge is not linked to the sensor so it's not going to tell you much. The ECT sensor is cheap and you should just go ahead and replace it then reset the ECU and take it for a long motorway run to get the cat and the probes really hot.

 

Errrr, I feel like I'm repeating myself here....

Ok, so I think i've found the right part - would you mind taking a look at it and confirm if so? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coolant-Temperature-Temp-Sender-Sensor-06A919501A-For-VW-SKODA-FABIA-OCTAVIA/323231337663?epid=1594503547&hash=item4b4216ccbf:g:SiIAAOSwrWVbIglH 

 

Should I follow this guide in swapping it over? https://www.briskoda.net/forums/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=9056 

 

 

6 minutes ago, it02s28 said:

Ok, so I think i've found the right part - would you mind taking a look at it and confirm if so? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coolant-Temperature-Temp-Sender-Sensor-06A919501A-For-VW-SKODA-FABIA-OCTAVIA/323231337663?epid=1594503547&hash=item4b4216ccbf:g:SiIAAOSwrWVbIglH 

 

Should I follow this guide in swapping it over? https://www.briskoda.net/forums/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=9056 

 

 

 

Please buy a genuine VAG part, those cheap Chinesium ebay sensors can actually be worse than the part you're replacing. Since you're dropping the coolant then replace the thermostat as well as it may be stuck open as Wino suggested, again very cheap and easy to replace.

27 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Please buy a genuine VAG part, those cheap Chinesium ebay sensors can actually be worse than the part you're replacing. Since you're dropping the coolant then replace the thermostat as well as it may be stuck open as Wino suggested, again very cheap and easy to replace.

Will do, thanks. I can't find the thermostat part number on here https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2003-225/1/121-121075/ any ideas? I've got the AZQ engine type.

12 minutes ago, it02s28 said:

Will do, thanks. I can't find the thermostat part number on here https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2003-225/1/121-121075/ any ideas? I've got the AZQ engine type.

 

Item numbers 24 and 29, put yer glasses on!