Hello all,

 

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this on. I'd noticed over the past few months the car had struggled to start upon first turn of the ignition, almost sounding like it needed a new battery. Been driving it around fine, no issue on power all seemed normal. Came back from a weekend in Cornwall, oil was low - hadn't checked in a while so just assumed fairly normal (proceeded to fill it up, no leaks visable). Drove into work last week, again no real issues, tried starting the car up and the engine is turning over quickly but not starting. Sounds compression related, there is a good spark in all cylinders and there is fuel pressure. The engine doesn't move about as it would normally do if there was compression. 

 

Would be great to get peoples opinion on potential causes, I've got a compression tester coming tomorrow which should confirm the lack of compression. So far this is what I've been thinking..

 

1. Head gasket - no "mayo" on the oil filler cap and would expect the engine still to start if this was the issue. 

2. Jumped timing chain - certainly a potential although I don't know how likely. I can't imagine the engine is an interference engine being fairly basic so wouldn't expect any valve to piston contact.

3. Snapped timing chain - again shouldn't really happen, supposed to be fairly bullet proof. 

4. Stuck open idle air controller valve (spotted this on an American video, not sure if its applicable to this particular car or if so, where its located).

5. Piston rings completely gone (could explain the increase in oil usage, but would also expect a lack of power certainly whilst cold) and also wouldn't expect them all to go at once hence would still get compression in one of the other cylinders. 

 

Ultimately I want to try and work out what's wrong to decide whether its worth fixing this <£700 car or not before taking it to a garage (for them to tell me its buggered). Video (needs sound) to highlight the speed of the turning over. 

 

Thoughts/advice would be very much welcomed.

 

Many thanks,

James. 

The timing chain has jumped, it's very common and it sounds like the valves are bent so you have no compression.

 

Sorry.

Hi Sepulchrave. 

 

Thanks for your comment. That's kind of where my thoughts were heading but wasn't sure if it was an interference engine or not so would the piston come into contact with the valves if that wasn't the case ? 

 

Cheers,

The 12 valve 64bhp version is definitely interference. I expect the 6-valve may be too.

Thanks @Wino, probably a no repair job then ! What a bugger. 

Yeah, almost certainly not worth it.

 

27 minutes ago, Jjf_91 said:

Hi Sepulchrave. 

 

Thanks for your comment. That's kind of where my thoughts were heading but wasn't sure if it was an interference engine or not so would the piston come into contact with the valves if that wasn't the case ? 

 

Cheers,

 

Most modern engines are interference engines because they have high compression ratios and high peak valve lift, particularly if naturally aspirated, conversely some forced induction engines are not because they are low compression and have conservative peak valve lift.

 

It does sound like the engine is not worth repairing I'm afraid, just go and buy another cheap Fabia but avoid the three cylinder engines, you've already got a donor vehicle if you need any parts off it.

Here's a bargain car thats vastly better in every way:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Skoda-Fabia-1-9-TDI-PD-Elegance-5dr-AC-MOT-06-10-2021-HUGE-SERVICE-HIST-/133883489966?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

8 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Most modern engines are interference engines because they have high compression ratios and high peak valve lift, particularly if naturally aspirated, conversely some forced induction engines are not because they are low compression and have conservative peak valve lift.

 

It does sound like the engine is not worth repairing I'm afraid, just go and buy another cheap Fabia but avoid the three cylinder engines, you've already got a donor vehicle if you need any parts off it.

 

Yeah makes sense.. I did think a non-interference engine is an odd concept for a remotely modern car..

Didn't realise the 3 cylinder engines were typically non-favourable. 

4 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Here's a bargain car thats vastly better in every way:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-Skoda-Fabia-1-9-TDI-PD-Elegance-5dr-AC-MOT-06-10-2021-HUGE-SERVICE-HIST-/133883489966?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

That's great thanks, only downside is the lack of diesel.. haha.

10 minutes ago, Jjf_91 said:

That's great thanks, only downside is the lack of diesel.. haha.

 

It's getting better, my local petrol station has fuel again and all the old duffers who rushed out and bought it all have their cars sitting on their driveways with full tanks now.

They're busy buying all the bog rolls and dried pasta now 😄

3 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

It's getting better, my local petrol station has fuel again and all the old duffers who rushed out and bought it all have their cars sitting on their driveways with full tanks now.

They're busy buying all the bog rolls and dried pasta now 😄

Haha, yeah sounds about right.. I've got a full tank of petrol sitting on the drive at work if anyone want's it. Worth more than the car by the sounds of it..