Hi, We have a Fabia 1.4 16v Elegance on an x plate which has a couple of periodic faults. Occasionally whilst warm & at idle the engine will gently rev up and down between 800 - 1500 revs. This will eventually go once you are driving again & seems to cause no problem once underway. It has been back to the dealers several times, but as it has never done it for them they can't trace a fault. :confused:

It also suffers from pinking when underload driving up hills in high gear. This seems to be worse when the weather is hotter, and does seem to improve a little if we use 98 octane petrol. Again the deal is aware of this but can't find a fault!:confused:

I was wondering if any of you had similar problems & if so what if anything fixed it?

Kindest Regards

Uncle Bulgaria

Only guessing from an old fiesta i maintain but:

- Check sparks are in good condition and gap is correct.

- Check HT's are in good nick (unlinkely to be this)

- Try some better fuel, even a tank of super unleaded)

As for the random reving, I don't know if this affects petrol cars (have only ever had carb petrol and diesel), but make sure no air is getting into the injection system.

Sure somebody will give you a better answer soon.

Thanks for the rapid response!

Had wondered about air leaks myself, seem to remember a problem with an air leak on a mkII Golf GTI 16v I had, but it was continious; still worth another check under the bonnet!

Have been running on Optimax for 8 months, there was some improvement but not a cure. Car just had a 20,000 service at our local main dealer reckons to have checked all leads & plugs. The service manager said he had another customer with similar problems, (hadn't solved it either!) so at least I don't feel like I am making it up!

Thanks again

Had wondered about air leaks myself' date=' [/quote']

I had a similar problem with an escort years ago

It ended up being a knackerd exhaust gasket causing the problem

Does it run on when you change up a gear?

mine does this and it annoys me i get the pinking on hot days too although not for a while dealer checked car and saidall they could find was a dirty/blocked breather pipe.

Thanks, will check the breather pipes. Not noticed it running on, but these things do bug you!

so at least I don't feel like I am making it up!

Thanks again

You are not alone. My X reg 1.4 16v Fabia does it too.

P.S. What is pinking?

You are not alone. My X reg 1.4 16v Fabia does it too.

P.S. What is pinking?

Ohhh Errrr, not sure that my description or understanding will be correct, so if anyone else can do this, please do, however ill give it my best shot! It's a sort of metelic rattling/tinkling noise from the engine (once you have had it pointed out to you it's easy to recognise), usually a common symptom of timing or mixture problems, and is more noticable whe the engine is made to work hard under load, i.e. trying to go up a steep hill in too high a gear etc.

I am sure that some of you technical people out there can give a much better explanation!! So please do (tried my best)!!

Also if anyone has had this problem fixed let the rest of us know!

Ohhh Errrr' date=' not sure that my description or understanding will be correct, so if anyone else can do this, please do, however ill give it my best shot! It's a sort of metelic rattling/tinkling noise from the engine (once you have had it pointed out to you it's easy to recognise), usually a common symptom of timing or mixture problems, and is more noticable whe the engine is made to work hard under load, i.e. trying to go up a steep hill in too high a gear etc.

I am sure that some of you technical people out there can give a much better explanation!! So please do (tried my best)!!

Also if anyone has had this problem fixed let the rest of us know![/quote']

sounds like a pretty good explaination of pinking also caused by carbon build up in the cylinder head/piston area causing a higher compression ratio

And quite oftenly confused with detonation which is different.

With the idel messing about id be tempted to have a look at either the coolant temp sensor and/or the throttle body.

Thanks for explaining pinking. In fact I am going to get the temp sensor replaced when I take my Fabai to dealer for MOT. Hopefully it will sort this out.

As Lummox said - look at the Coolant temp sensors. I had similar problems (repeatedly) on a VW Bora which kept eating the sensor. When the sensor faild it was thinking the engine was still cold after it warmed up and was chucking too much fuel in.

Thanks Guys,

I appreciate all the help, this has been bugging me for nearly a year (on & off)!

Have got to get part of the drivers seat trim fixed as well, so can get the temp sensor ordered at the same time. Is it an easy swap or is it a garage job? If it's complicated, I will wait until service & sort it then!