Hi guys I have a 64 plate Superb 1.4.  Great car no major issues however for the last 6 months in have noticed that whenever I start the car (first start of the day) it idles quite high for about a max of about 10 seconds before i believe the auto choke turns off where it then idles like normal.  However my conerns are firstly why does the auto choke engage even in hot weather? It always engages at first start regardless.  Also, during the point it's idling high it sounds slightly "rough" and throaty.  When the auto choke disengages and the  vehicle idles normal its fine, but when pushing the throttle the exhaust is throaty. Are the 1.4 "throaty" anyway?

This is normal behaviour, the start up procedure varies depending on conditions / temperature. The idea is to get the emissions controls active and the engine warmed up as quickly as possible. Before  warmed through you can also sometimes hear a strange exhaust noise as the tsi initially generates a lot of water vapour that condenses in exhaust. When warm the tsi engine is uber quiet but just after starting you can get a few noises from the direct injection, secondary air injection pumps etc. 

One thing it doesn not have is an auto choke - this fuction is carried out by the engine management system increasing fuelling for a while and in addtion invoking an "airwash" system when very warm. Mine also sounds very different in warm weather compared to cold. It can rev up to 1100 rpm sometimes for the first few seconds but usually set-off smoothly. Correct spark plugs are critical on this engine.

 

Nice to see a post from another MKII 1.4tsi owner - we were a rare breed back then - how times have changed!

Edited 28 July, 20187 yr by bigjohn

Thanks bigjohn.  Is the 1.4 tsi known for being a throaty when revving whilst stationery?

9 hours ago, thekaratekid said:

Thanks bigjohn.  Is the 1.4 tsi known for being a throaty when revving whilst stationery?

 

Only for a while after starting from cold. Once warm mine is very quiet except for some induction noise on full throttle.  I'll try revving when stationary to see what it sounds like - not something I'd normally do.

 

Inside at idle(when warm) it's very quiet indeed, you can't really hear the engine but possibly you can just detect a whir from the rear of the car which I think is the fuel pump. As you set off - I wouldn't call it throaty!(Might need to buy the v6 one for that)

 

Mine developed a bit of a whistle recently that changed when you engaged the air con. Just been in for a service where they checked out and services/regassed the air con. I think the noise has gone and the air con now feels that it will freeze your hands to the steering wheel! Inside the car was a lovely place to be when the outside temperature was showing 33deg last week!

Edited 28 July, 20187 yr by bigjohn

My 1.4L, 09, Superb 11 has a normal tick over speed of 700 RPM. However on any start-up, at any temperature, the RPM is a lottery. I either get 1300 RPM with a rich mixture misfire for 10 seconds and then the RPM descends, or I get a steady smooth 900 RPM that then descends. When I get the 1300 RPM start-up I switch the engine off immediately and then restart and always get the smooth 900RPM.

8 hours ago, Roots Supercharger said:

 I either get 1300 RPM with a rich mixture misfire for 10 seconds and then the RPM descends

 

The higher rev startup is usually joined with the sound of an air pump designed to significantly reduce the cat light up time

 

Edited 28 July, 20187 yr by bigjohn

On 28/07/2018 at 10:23, bigjohn said:

 

  I'll try revving when stationary to see what it sounds like - not something I'd normally do.

 

 

OK tried it - my 1.4tsi is NOT "throaty" when revving whilst stationary and warm.

 

However when "first starting" - revving a bit higher and a strange exhaust note (sometimes) is normal for these engines

 

 

  

 

Edited 31 July, 20187 yr by bigjohn

On 28/07/2018 at 09:09, bigjohn said:

Nice to see a post from another MKII 1.4tsi owner - we were a rare breed back then - how times have changed!

 

For a while I thought I was the only one with a MkII FL 1.4TSi Twin-door! I continue to be surprised at its performance and fuel efficiency (51.3mpg over the last 3.7k miles)

 

Interesting to read this thread. Mine will rev high on startup and sometimes I think it sounds a bit throaty when cold. I assume it's to do with the auto-choke doing its' job. On hot days (had a few recently!!!) and when the engine is hot I sometimes get a roughness on startup and on the initial drive away, almost a misfire type of behaviour, often culminating with a single mini-jolt and then its fine. I have assumed this is fuel vaporisation or something. It's so intermittent I'm not bothered by it.

 

Whining from the engine has been my bugbear. Had water pump and aircon compressor replaced (Skoda Approved warranty) to resolve them both over the last 15 months.

5 hours ago, sneal said:

 

For a while I thought I was the only one with a MkII FL 1.4TSi Twin-door! I continue to be surprised at its performance and fuel efficiency (51.3mpg over the last 3.7k miles)

 

Interesting to read this thread. Mine will rev high on startup and sometimes I think it sounds a bit throaty when cold. I assume it's to do with the auto-choke doing its' job. On hot days (had a few recently!!!) and when the engine is hot I sometimes get a roughness on startup and on the initial drive away, almost a misfire type of behaviour, often culminating with a single mini-jolt and then its fine. I have assumed this is fuel vaporisation or something. It's so intermittent I'm not bothered by it.

 

Whining from the engine has been my bugbear. Had water pump and aircon compressor replaced (Skoda Approved warranty) to resolve them both over the last 15 months.

 

Glad to hear there is more of us mkII 1.4tsi owners - likewise mine is a FL twindoor. I've only had a slight whistle - that seems to have gone away after an aircon service done after I mentioned it. I Think roughness on startup when warm is normal - the engine has always sounded different when starting on a hot day, something to do with the airwash system I believe.

 

I was always surprised when I test drove mine at 14 months/ 14k miles as I didn't think it would be any good - it was way way better than I ever could have imagined it would be , so I bought it.  It was cheap as well as no one wanted a petrol early in 2015 

 

My overall fuel economy is sitting at 45.7 mpg but if I take it steady on a long run the mpg gets into the 50's. The engine has reasonable low down tourque from 1500rpm (not quite as good as my previous Superb I 1.9pd - but not too far off!) but let the revs rise and your smile widens - more so than I ever imagined for such a small lump. That probably hits my fuel consumption as I have a very boring commute - sometimes I like to travel slightly further but via emptyish back roads, can't resist a zap or so 

 

Saying that if it wasn't such a high mileage, how about the v6!

 

 

 

Edited 4 August, 20187 yr by bigjohn