Hi all,

 

I noticed today that my Redline Fabia has started to hesitate/judder/misfire on gentle acceleration around 2000-2500rpm. 

 

It doesn't do it on hard acceleration, but going gently then it does it every time. This just started today, was the worst in 3rd gear.

 

The EML isn't lit so I've not checked for codes (although this is my first VAG car, will a generic code reader work?).

 

My brain instantly thought it felt like a plug or coil issue based on last experience, but I also know better than to start playing guess-the-part-to-replace.

 

I wondered if this is a common thing on the 110 3cyl that might guide me?

 

Mine is a 2017 on just 15k miles, manual transmission, main dealer service history each year inc timing belt change 2k ago.

 

Grateful in advance

 

Have the spark plugs been replaced at the 4 years even though not at 40,000 miles.  Then checking spark plugs is not guessing, it is diagnosing.  And often if out as well to replace.         As to the timing belt.  Since last July that stopped being a 5 year / 50,000 item.      I would check the spark plugs. 

Plugs plus air filter (and air filter box and tubes cleaning inside (nothing a Dealership would probably bother with even though it's just a quick wipe with cloth).  Three plugs (coils) means they share more of percentage each than four, 33.3 against 25, so if even one is a bit off it's more noticeable.

 

1 hour ago, barki said:

this is my first VAG car, will a generic code reader work?).

 

Only on basic generic codes and if it's better than that if you don't keep it fully updated it could give you bad info.  The German marques VW included have prided themselves for a good while back with having complex intertwined (and interfering) computer programs.  You really need a VW program on you scan tool (code reader will only just about read some codes).

 

My advice to those new to these cars is never to let your car battery get too low in charge and where necessary do preventative charges with an appropriate battery charger maintainer.  The battery charge can be too low even though the engine starts straight away and the lights seem bright enough.  Before you get the start/stop or battery warnings the battery can already be too low and cause all sorts of unexpected issues and warnings and unseen error codes.  By the time you have any issue starting the engine straight away you may well have the battery in a condition that it will not fully recover from.

 

Also read the Owner's Manual and refer to it often as it will tell you a lot you need to know about your car and if you refer to it often it can save you time, hassle and money and visits to garages.  If you've not got the paper printed copy you can get a free VWSkoda pdf download from this VWSkoda website. -https://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Models

 

Update portal for some updates. - https://updateportal.skoda-auto.com/

 

Here is the site for the VWSkoda Recalls (well those they admit to anyway). - https://www.skoda-auto.com/services/recall-campaigns 

 

I would guess at 15k-miles the battery might have already been changed at least once.  A low milage little use car needs in many way more maintenance and servicing and not less as many think.  2017 is at least 7 years so if it's on original tyres whilst they may have a good level of tread depth on them depending on how the car has been kept (outside/garage) and used or not used the tyres may be hard and best changed for new.  Tyres are are big part of braking, also steering and suspension, road holding, handing, ride noise and comfort.

 

Then there brake fluid to check if not changed (a couple of times) already. 

 

Servicing work should be done by mileage or time interval, if the car has such low mileage it may be from many short journeys where the engine oil doesn't get fully warmed (say 90c on the oil (not coolant) gauge) so actually needs more engine oil & filter changes not less).

 

Finally some vids of use Fabia Mk3 info. -  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHH-B9onXpOqdKjFA815CBd7YB4hocem5.

 

 

HTH.

    

Hi,

 

Thanks for responding, to be honest, I'm not sure - this is the service record:

 

 

 

 

No spark plugs showing as not part of an Oil and inspection service or Extended scope unless specified. Other extras show.    At 5 miles that was a PDI not a used car Multi point check.  Even if a car that was in the showroom.  Maybe they do that if a Pre Reg.   But the PDI should be there showing. 

You want the 'Full record' from a VWSkoda Dealer to confirm what is on the computer records, check the MoT record to confirm mileage and dates and see any advisories.

 

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

 

VWSkoda UK robbing bastards done the expensive cambelt change, we got caught for that too £420 IIRC.

 

After I've listened to The Archers and done the washing up I'll look at your service list (always check and confirm any info you get from any source).

 

Shows at the bottom that is the record of work done by official Skoda workshops.  Shown in an odd format and different service terms get used.    But FMDSH is really often a history of missing stuff.  You do not know if the pollen filter was changed.  Or a @ 6 year / 60,000 mile replace air filter even gets looked at before 6 years.    It needs checked now. Maybe needs replaced. 

Hi, I got the above from Norwich Skoda - I bought the car from Cinch and they gave me no history with it so I checked with Skoda and got the above within the first 14 days (else I'd have returned it). 

You have some history which is good, always needs to be verified from whatever source.

 

Your list isn't the VWSkoda Dealership computer record presentation we get (when my wife remembers to ask) for her 2016.  Hers doesn't list MoTs even when the Dealership done the servicing at the same time.  It does include "Vehicle data" to confirm VIN (which you may have left out for obvious reasons), "Delivery inspection"' "Workshop remark" ( Recall, obviously only those admitted to by VWSkoda and if appropriate to vehicle) and then their phrases for what little service and maintenance work gets done. -

• "Flexible oil change service"
• "Inspection with oil change" (so I expected "Inspection service" may exclude oil change but who knows)
• "Oil change service"

 All these are just an engine oil change and look for more work that they can charge for rather than a whole car service.

 

They class some stuff as "Maintenance" and list it as "Additional work carried out" like -

• "brake fluid service",
• "spark plug" (singular),
• (engine) "Air cleaner element"
• (cabin) "Dust and pollen filter".

11, 323 miles in 5 years!  Probably less expensive to have had hire cars for that milage for the previous owner(s),

 

You've not mentioned any servicing or other work since 14 Dec 2022.

 

Below is an old VWSkoda servicing and maintenance schedule (so ignore prices), notice the cambelt I've blocked out (robbing bastards).

 

Priorities are brakes, steering, suspension, (as put before tyres are part of all three), safety electrics (lights, horn, blower perhaps), windows and mirrors (and number plates) see and be seen.

 

Despite passing the annual Mot which is just a test to see that the vehicle meets the minimum statutory requires to one person's (hopefully) trained opinion at (only) one point in time it doesn't mean the vehicle is as good as it could or should be so (if you've not already done so) initially id be giving regular and frequent exercise to items that may not have seen much use at some periods given the very low mileage like horn, wipers and washers, front and rear, turn knobs on steering wheel, switches, blower range, lights.  And take the car out for a few blow out runs exercising the steering, brakes, suspension, clutch, engine, gearbox - this I would only do once I knew the car was up to it as I'd have done any missing servicing and maintenance,

 

Personally I'd change the engine air filter every 2 years as the air filter box has to come off to get at the plugs (at 4 years) anyway on my wife's 2015 1.2 (4cylinder) TSI.

 

HTH.

 

@barki  How many former keepers does the car show?

(I wondered if the first 3 years the car was a Motability owned car hence the AC Service done and the servicing at 3 years.

usually the MOT is 1 or 2 months before 3 years old though, but serviced to the manufacturers specification.)

 

Servicing is not that much as things are until extras are paid for.

 

Diagnostics have been visual and (inaccurate at times) tick sheets for my wife's car at The two different VWSkoda Dealerships over the time.  Brakes and tyres are purely visual with some advantageous, to the Dealer, guessing about brake wear and tyre replacement.

 

2 hours ago, Ootohere said:

Shows at the bottom that is the record of work done by official Skoda workshops. 

Yeap, sorry I meant to put I saw that but different presentation, possibly not from Dealership but the national lot and it has data is limited to the service work.  I'd still, with my charm, looks and modesty, ask the current VWSkoda Dealers to print me off (A4) paper record of the "Complete record" to see how it compares, as I put ours doesn't record MoTs.  The last "Complete record" my wife bothered to get (she can't get out of the Dealership fast enough) was "2020-09-22" (computer date, in English 22-9-2020) so perhaps the computer or computer system or its presentation has changed since then.  Regardless no mention of some of the items you and I mentioned, cabin filter is included in air con service, at 3 years in this instance.

 

A scan tool report might show if the misfire is at one cylinder so that swapping out may find if its plug/coil.

 

I can get like a bumping thing going on when cold, notice it more in the winter months to date. Once the engine had warmed up think it went away.
Might of been battery related though as just been through all that, not noticing it now.
Its was a very mild symptom though so probably not related to your problem. But annoying!

Edited 25 May, 20242 yr by Gonzini