Need help guys. My engine management light was flashing last night and soon after the car broke down. I had to get towed to the local garage to get it checked the next day.  I've ran diagnostic check with OBD reader and it's came back as P0301 Engine Misfire in Cylinder #1. The mechanic just got round to looking at it and he said the coil packs may need replacing. So he changed the coil pack in cylinder 1.

Coil has been changed but the engine management light is still flashing. When you start the engine it makes a very loud ticking noise and rattles/shakes very heavily. This has never happened before. Usually the engine is very quite and barely rattles.

Does anyone know what the problem could be? Is my engine going? The car has done 93k miles and I've only had it for 3months. I've done around 2.5-3k miles and Im currently working deliveries.

The mechanic is going to take a proper look at it tomorrow and is going to let me know. But any help/thoughts now is appreciated.

As a first step ask the mechanic if he checked the spark plug of cylinder 1, and to do so if he didn't.

 

If that's OK, probably the next step is to get it compression tested.

Is it the 60 bhp 6-valve engine or the 70 bhp 12-valve?

 

The mechanic did mention he is going to check spark plugs in the morning. 

 

What is compression testing? Apolgies i don't know much about cars.

 

And it is the MK2 1.2 HTP 60 bhp model.

Edited 14 December, 20205 yr by ifti78

12 minutes ago, Wino said:

As a first step ask the mechanic if he checked the spark plug of cylinder 1, and to do so if he didn't.

 

If that's OK, probably the next step is to get it compression tested.

Is it the 60 bhp 6-valve engine or the 70 bhp

Is there any way that the engine noise and rattling can be stopped even after changing spark plugs?

 

It's only done 93k but the sounds it's making it seems like it's on the way out. 

 

Really put me in a difficult situation now.

 

If the spark plug has failed completely the engine will only be working on two out three cylinders which will make it very lumpy indeed.

Not sure about the rattling.

 

Compression testing is where a pressure gauge is inserted into the threads where the spark plug normally goes.  You take out all three plugs and test each cylinder in turn by spinning the engine over on the starter motor and seeing what maximum pressure is registered on the gauge for each cylinder.  How quickly the pressure rises can also be useful info.  All three cylinders should give similar numbers if all is well mechanically.

 

Your mechanic will be familiar with the process, shouldn't take long or cost much

 

Thanks for that. Hopefully it's not a big problem. But by the sounds it, it's not looking good.

 

Will have to see tomorrow. 

 

Is this common on fabia engines? A mate of mine was saying old fabia engines are quick to go. 

 

 

The 6-valve HTPs do seem to have a tendency to overheat and crack their exhaust valves.  Compression test will discover if this has happened.

 

On 14/12/2020 at 21:11, Wino said:

The 6-valve HTPs do seem to have a tendency to overheat and crack their exhaust valves.  Compression test will discover if this has happened.

 

Quick update if your interested. I took it to a local garage that specialises in engine repairs. As soon as he turned the car on and looked at the engine he straight away said that the valves in cylinder 1 have blown, so its a hefty repair.

 

He's stripped the engine today and there was a big chunk that was missing from valve 1. Valve 2 was on it's way out and 3 was ok. So I've had to get that all changed. With new head gasket, full recon head, and full service. £600 for the everything. 

 

The mechanic before stripping the engine asked me if i wanted to get the timing chain done. I said to him when he strips it to have a look at it and let me know if there's any problems. 

 

So he did that. Gave me a call back and said there doesn't seem to be any visible problems with it but it's hard to tell with the timing chain. I chose not to get it as the total price would have gone to around £800 thats including the part, labour and VAT.

 

Have I made a mistake in not getting the timing chain replaced? The car has done 93k and I don't think it has been changed as of yet. Car only has part service history so I don't know if it ever has been changed. 

 

 

Yes, an extra £200 would have been worth it for peace of mind.

I wouldn't worry about it. If the mechanic thought it seemed OK I expect it will outlast the rest of the car.

I changed the one on our 2005 car at 176k miles this summer, and the parts that came off showed remarkably little wear. They could easily have been left on.

 

Going forward, maintain the car with fresh oil (to spec 502 00)/oil filter at least once a year. Check the oil level regularly.

Check that the radiator fan(s) work on both speeds. Fix any coolant leaks if you have to top up the expansion tank regularly. 

 

 

 

 

Edited 21 December, 20205 yr by Wino

@Wino wouldn't the timing chain have jumped for the valves to blow up? I'm just worried same thing will happen again. 

 

If the timing chain does go, I really am in trouble. I've got 6months warranty for any problems relating to the work that was done.

 

No, exhaust valves can and do burn out even with perfect chain timing.

Ok sweet. MOT's due in Feb. Hopefully passes and then I'm gonna look to sell.