Had my fabia for three weeks and since collecting it I've been using shell premium fuel which I think has an octane rating of 99.  My engine management light has just come on and has been diagnosed as the lambda sensor.

Just wondered if anyone thinks the fuel could be the cause??  I've only driven about 600 miles and filled up twice with fuel.

 

Many thanks for your thoughts

I think the 99 min ron Shell V-Power+ is not an issue and the lambda sensor is. 

(I do not use that i stick with Tesco Momentum 99, not because cheaper but because Tesco at least showed what their detergents were but Shell & Greenergy import the base fuels as partners.

 

?

Was the fault code reset and the light out for now?

 

Your car might need the spark plugs changed as well if not already done, 

 

3 minutes ago, roottoot said:

I think the 99 min ron Shell V-Power+ is not an issue and the lambda sensor is. 

(I do not use that i stick with Tesco Momentum 99, not because cheaper but because Tesco at least showed what their detergents were but Shell & Greenergy import the base fuels as partners.

 

?

Was the fault code reset and the light out for now?

 

Your car might need the spark plugs changed as well if not already done, 

 

Codes were reset but came up with the same fault pretty much straight away.  I'm booked in for replacement sensors next week, but wanted to make sure the fuel want the issue.

 

Many thanks for replying

I would never run Shell Super Unleaded in Mk2 Fabia vRS.  I ran Tesco Momentum 99 without issue.

I got bad Sainsburry's 97 ron once and had issues until drained and new Super Unleaded in but that was on a remapped car.

 

There were plenty that bought used cars that ran OK and then they used super unleaded and the engine / head must have got a bit of a clean out with the Detergents / Ethanol and then Exhaust Management lights on or the EPC or even both and into Limp Mode.  

It was not usually the Lambda sensor giving up the ghost.

 

Sometimes it showed up the one dodgy spark plug that Twinchargers commonly have and the Super Unleaded and a new driver giving the car a good thrash had the car misfiring.

Lucky people did not have the dodgy tip off the spark plug wrecking the engine and got new spark plugs in and all was well.

16 minutes ago, roottoot said:

I would never run Shell Super Unleaded in Mk2 Fabia vRS.  I ran Tesco Momentum 99 without issue.

I got bad Sainsburry's 97 ron once and had issues until drained and new Super Unleaded in but that was on a remapped car.

 

There were plenty that bought used cars that ran OK and then they used super unleaded and the engine / head must have got a bit of a clean out with the Detergents / Ethanol and then Exhaust Management lights on or the EPC or even both and into Limp Mode.  

It was not usually the Lambda sensor giving up the ghost.

 

Sometimes it showed up the one dodgy spark plug that Twinchargers commonly have and the Super Unleaded and a new driver giving the car a good thrash had the car misfiring.

Lucky people did not have the dodgy tip off the spark plug wrecking the engine and got new spark plugs in and all was well.

Wonder if that's what's happened to me.  I've seen the EPC light but it's never stayed on.  If that's the issue, just had a good clean out with the high octane fuel, do you recon it'll settle down and sort itself out??

If the Lambda sensor is gubbed luckily it is not expensive.

Was the wiring checked at the sensor or just the Codes Read?

 

If the plugs need changed then do it if no record of being done.

Check the gap of the ones removed.   

52 minutes ago, roottoot said:

If the Lambda sensor is gubbed luckily it is not expensive.

Was the wiring checked at the sensor or just the Codes Read?

 

If the plugs need changed then do it if no record of being done.

Check the gap of the ones removed.   

Cheers for all the advice, fingers crossed for next week

What's the service history of the car like, as in GIGO for computers if you air filter hasn't been replaced you might not be getting the cleanest air through the engine.

 

If they changed the air filter you'd hope they also changed the plugs but it's all charge and some people (and garages) would sooner save on such items.

 

Once you've sorted this issue out and are confident in the car put in a couple of tanks full of Tesco Moment99 or Shell V-Power (yes they are a lot more expensive) for their additional cleaning additives and have a few Italian tune-up runs to blow the cobwebs out.

 

Blimey, I almost forgot, if you like a peaceful life do not let the car battery get too low, even if the car starts and the lights seem bright enough and there are no warnings, the battery could still be too low for the very invasive and intertwined VW computer programs and they may play up in all sorts of strange ways.

 

Edited 14 December, 20214 yr by nta16
deleted repeated word and corrected plugs to air filter

4 hours ago, roottoot said:

Tesco at least showed what their detergents were but Shell & Greenergy import the base fuels as partners.

What happened to Tesco having a share/part ownership of Greenergy and getting their petrol from them, or and I having another false memory?

 

7 minutes ago, nta16 said:

have a few Italian tune-up runs to blow the cobwebs out.

 

Do this with my Mk1 Fabia for a little bit on most journeys, just to be sure that it's not getting choked up with anything.

@nta16

Still the same,

TESCO PLC have a shareholding in Greenergy and Greenergy have a partnership with Royal Dutch Shell for Importing and storing fuels.

Greenergy are the supplier and distributor in parts of the UK for ESSO as well as other retailers / independents.

 

?

Did you not read the OP saying he is running Shell Super Unleaded now?   (Shell premium fuel in the OP)

 

 

6ca06d648b9541e78fa838fece4a1a23 (1) (1).pdf 388380a097b04fe693a8c27db8bb4974 (1).pdf

Edited 13 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

Best not to do it too often otherwise you then have to go to  . . . eleven and some cars don't have eleven! 😄

 

Ran my car for the first time in 5 weeks today, misty drizzle to air and roads no chance of a blow-out.

 

Perhaps tomorrow after I've cleaned the underside and wheels (from 5 weeks ago) as justification and reward for doing so.

 

Just now, nta16 said:

Best not to do it too often otherwise you then have to go to  . . . eleven and some cars don't have eleven! 😄

 

I'm not overly excessive with revving it etc, when doing such a thing it's changing at 4.5-5k and it's only ever for very small periods of time. Otherwise it's business as usual.

31 minutes ago, roottoot said:

Did you not read the OP saying he is running Shell Super Unleaded now?   (Shell premium fuel in the OP)

Yes but OP put -

 

5 hours ago, Batesie said:

shell premium fuel which I think has an octane rating of 99

and with all the silly names and description changes isn't premium now ordinary Shell unleaded 95 (E10) and not the latest version of V-Power + Nitro. 😄  I prefer to stick to V-Power to save confusion for and from me to others.  And whether using Shell 95 or 99 OP may swap either way.

 

Thanks for the downloads I'll look at them later.

 

 

31 minutes ago, roottoot said:

Greenergy are the supplier and distributor in parts of the UK for ESSO as well as other retailers / independents.

Does that explain the attached PDF for you?  (eta: just realised I forgot to attach the attachment) 

 

Have you used the Jet Ultra f'an'ol free at all?   Or the Esso (I know it's not relevant to modern cars but mine used 4-star)?

 

petrol.pdf

Edited 13 December, 20214 yr by nta16
forgot again

18 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

I'm not overly excessive with revving it etc, when doing such a thing it's changing at 4.5-5k and it's only ever for very small periods of time. Otherwise it's business as usual.

No, no, no, you'd never get a job at a proper Italian garage.  😁  It's about accelerating to open the old tubes and keeping in your power band but for as long as possible have the gearbox, clutch steering and brakes well exercised not high speeds motorway dashes.  Get the engine oil temperature up and keep it there.  No need to drive silly or break any laws, just well spirited - British Italian tune-up.

 

I've been using mostly Tesco hi octane for 3 years and have had no problem, so I'd suspect the sensor. It'll probably much cheaper than changing the plugs which with Skoda are a ripoff. 

You do not pay a main dealership then.   You DIY or get an independent but not just leave them.   Often you know if an Air Filter needs replacing because the car uses more fuel.  The same can be true when spark plugs are due replacing.  Or sometimes with Warning light coming up for misfires or the exhaust emissions system.