Hi,

 

I bought a MK3 fabia monte carlo recently, for some reason it sounds like rocks or lego being shaken around in the front of the car. It sounds like it's coming from inside, possibly the aircon but I'm not 100% sure what could cause the noise. The noise started the day after I got the car (I did go for a test drive and all was well). When I started driving it was a cold day and sounded like broken glass moving around at the front of the car, this occurred when I'm accelerating, breaking and going round corners, I thought maybe it might be ice sitting somewhere in the car as it only did it for 10mins and stopped (it's never made that noise since). Since then randomly it would sound like rocks or lego being shaken slightly.  The car starts stops no problem, accelerating and brakes no problem, corners no problem and gears change smoothly.  Does anyone have any idea as to what it might be?

 

I uploaded a clip of the sound, I had my phone sitting in the gap behind the cup holder. I'm hoping it's not bad, but who knows. If anyone does know what it could be it would be greatly appreciated! Have a good one 😊

Crackling Noise.flac

That is weird, sorry I can't help!

49 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

That is weird, sorry I can't help!

No problem, I know it's a weird one. I go told maybe it's the heat shield, but it's so far and few between I didn't think it was. I can't figure out any consistency beside my heating is on, weirdly the car has no pollen filters so I'm wondering if it's debris but even so I don't hear it often.

Hello, welcome to the forum.

What makes you think there is no pollen filter fitted to the Mk3 Fabia?

Edited 16 February, 20251 yr by Warrior193
correction

2 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Hello, welcome to the forum.

What makes you think there is no pollen filter fitted to the Mk3 Fabia?

Thank you ❤️

 

I was curious to see how well it had been serviced, the air filter looked questionable. After having a look, I that it wasn't there

6 hours ago, 131200BDP said:

the car has no pollen filter

So has some debris got past the NOT present cabin filter and is rattling around in the fan motor area?

Does it change if you change the fan speed?

 

Thanks.    AG Falco

Sounds are very difficult to locate.  To me it could have been anything moving or being squeezed, crushed rubbed, only as example seatbelt stalk against something - but you last post suggests perhaps the possibility something has dropped or been pushed inside the heater / air-con inlet, outlet or in-between and someone has been trying to find it and get it out (perhaps before selling the car).

 

If it was me and I bought the car through the English motor trade (gawd help us all) I would take this problem back to them, if they say they didn't know the filter was missing I might believe them as whatever checks they say they do they might not have, of course if they said somewhere that this type of thing is checked pre-sale then that's another you have over them if you want.

 

If bought privately torch out, contortions in footwell to see what' up there and if you can fishing it out, same foe inlet end under bonnet, you could also check the drain holes are clear.

 

Perhaps it's a fantastic-plastic VW part or part of a part broken or loose.

 

"  . . .  mother's maiden name is  . . . "   The radio on is distracting to me, but I get your Lego brick, also sounds like a die in a thin plastic cup being shook or blowing around which might (or might not) suggest something in a ducting, the open end perhaps acting like an old horn speaker.

 

If you are new to these cars, a tip, if your start/stop doesn't activate when it should then probably the 12v battery is too low in charge and if not dealt with may go on to upset the computers and they throw up all sorts of unexpected warnings, unseen error codes, and unexpected issues, even if the lights seem bright enough and the engine starts easily.

 

ETA: is the filter cover missing too or just not in photo?

 

8 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

So has some debris got past the NOT present cabin filter and is rattling around in the fan motor area?

Does it change if you change the fan speed?

 

Thanks.    AG Falco

That's what I'm thinking. It doesn't seem to change sounds with the fan speed but it does sound like something hits the fan, bounces for a bit and then stops. I'm guess it could be a small stone bouncing off the fan then some how stays at the base for a period of time, before inevitably hitting the fan again if that makes sense?

11 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Sounds are very difficult to locate.  To me it could have been anything moving or being squeezed, crushed rubbed, only as example seatbelt stalk against something - but you last post suggests perhaps the possibility something has dropped or been pushed inside the heater / air-con inlet, outlet or in-between and someone has been trying to find it and get it out (perhaps before selling the car).

 

If it was me and I bought the car through the English motor trade (gawd help us all) I would take this problem back to them, if they say they didn't know the filter was missing I might believe them as whatever checks they say they do they might not have, of course if they said somewhere that this type of thing is checked pre-sale then that's another you have over them if you want.

 

If bought privately torch out, contortions in footwell to see what' up there and if you can fishing it out, same foe inlet end under bonnet, you could also check the drain holes are clear.

 

Perhaps it's a fantastic-plastic VW part or part of a part broken or loose.

 

"  . . .  mother's maiden name is  . . . "   The radio on is distracting to me, but I get your Lego brick, also sounds like a die in a thin plastic cup being shook or blowing around which might (or might not) suggest something in a ducting, the open end perhaps acting like an old horn speaker.

 

If you are new to these cars, a tip, if your start/stop doesn't activate when it should then probably the 12v battery is too low in charge and if not dealt with may go on to upset the computers and they throw up all sorts of unexpected warnings, unseen error codes, and unexpected issues, even if the lights seem bright enough and the engine starts easily.

 

You might be right, I've got to get it booked in next week to be checked over as it's got a few things going on with it. All fixable however, the things occuring shouldn't really of happened / been there in the first place. I did purchase the car through the english motor trade so wish me luck haha, although I have a 3 month warranty and 14 days to return it as I bought it online.

 

The die in a plastic cup is a great analogy, it does sounds like that. Although I don't know a large amount about cars and I can find even less on this issue, I've got a key ignition as I didn't like the idea of a start / stop button haha but thank you

20 minutes ago, nta16 said:

ETA: is the filter cover missing too or just not in photo?

 

I removed the cover although weirdly it felt like it might of been glued on as it wasn't easy to pull off, the other thing that seems unusual is there is.... felt or isolation next to it. It doesn't feel like it should be there, although I don't know as it could be something that is supposed to be there. I've never owned this car or any skoda that is.

 

I've uploaded two photos one of the inside of the pollen filter cover, the other of the what I think is unusal insulation to the pollen filter.

Maybe the windscreen has been replaced in it's past and broken glass is still air box?

The heater air-con idea might be wrong and it's something else.  I could well be wrong but I don't think its anything hitting the fan or fan hitting it as even on lowest speed the fan would be going quicker than the noise suggests, it might be in the area of the fan (or not).

 

As I ran 20-50 year old cars as dallies my wife got much better than me (not difficult) at identifying sounds and their origin locations, she listened and said the die (dice) in a cup thing and that it sounded like something was sucked in and moving around and then perhaps released or got away.

 

16 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

I did purchase the car through the english motor trade so wish me luck

The vast majority of luck I've had with the English motor trade over the decades has been bad (or worse) but I wish you good luck.

 

18 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

I have a 3 month warranty and 14 days to return it as I bought it online.

The big ones are owned by the same lots that own the Dealerships and car auctions so ....

 

Of the checks they claim to do well, you'd best check for yourself if they were done where you can.  We had a member report he couldn't even get past VWŠkoda history off them, they said the lower price reflected its absence, you do however buy the car on present condition and as claimed.

 

IMO you definitely want an ignition key and I personally would never have proximity stuff (keyless entry) these cars are already German marque over-complicated with  intertwined complex computer programs and systems, the less of them the better for me.

 

If you want to list the other tings that are going on with it members here may be able to help you with or about them, I can't stress enough (other members think I overstress this) how important the 12v battery state of charge is on these cars and how unexpected issues can arise from it (lots of threads and posts on these on here that are unexpectedly caused by low state of charge by the owner/drivers don't realise this, at the start at least).

 

Good luck.

 

30 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

I've uploaded two photos one of the inside of the pollen filter cover, the other of the what I think is unusal insulation to the pollen filter.

First photo is a bit too close up for me but the hidden bits on the car like that can look like a little child has been given the job of making them and putting them there but I suppose if they do their job and aren't seen does it really matter.

 

The cabin air filter cover might just be gunked up with muck/fluff/bits I'd scrape that stuff out, perhaps the filter was never changed ("service" "maintenance" history should say if it has at least been claimed to have been done).  The box with dots in it I think will show when the cover was made, it's not unknown for cars within the English motor trade to have parts from other car stock rather than original, not that it should matter on a part like that, assuming it's a correct part, best never to assume, particularly with the English motor trade, but to check.

 

28 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

Maybe the windscreen has been replaced in it's past and broken glass is still air box?

That I think is good, or could be side window. 

 

If a window has been replaced it might not have the Škoda on it, as I failed to notice when my wife bought her used 2015 Fabia when I found bits of broken glass their "valet" failed to when I cleaned (a very rare thing) the inside of the car soon after my wife first bought it.

 

Edited 16 February, 20251 yr by nta16

42 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

Maybe the windscreen has been replaced in it's past and broken glass is still air box?

That's a good point, although I'm not sure how I would find out if this has happened

36 minutes ago, nta16 said:

The heater air-con idea might be wrong and it's something else.  I could well be wrong but I don't think its anything hitting the fan or fan hitting it as even on lowest speed the fan would be going quicker than the noise suggests, it might be in the area of the fan (or not).

 

As I ran 20-50 year old cars as dallies my wife got much better than me (not difficult) at identifying sounds and their origin locations, she listened and said the die (dice) in a cup thing and that it sounded like something was sucked in and moving around and then perhaps released or got away.

 

The vast majority of luck I've had with the English motor trade over the decades has been bad (or worse) but I wish you good luck.

 

The big ones are owned by the same lots that own the Dealerships and car auctions so ....

 

Of the checks they claim to do well, you'd best check for yourself if they were done where you can.  We had a member report he couldn't even get past VWŠkoda history off them, they said the lower price reflected its absence, you do however buy the car on present condition and as claimed.

 

IMO you definitely want an ignition key and I personally would never have proximity stuff (keyless entry) these cars are already German marque over-complicated with  intertwined complex computer programs and systems, the less of them the better for me.

 

If you want to list the other tings that are going on with it members here may be able to help you with or about them, I can't stress enough (other members think I overstress this) how important the 12v battery state of charge is on these cars and how unexpected issues can arise from it (lots of threads and posts on these on here that are unexpectedly caused by low state of charge by the owner/drivers don't realise this, at the start at least).

 

Good luck.

 

Thank you very much. I'll have it checked over by a mechanic next week, hopefully they will be able to identify the noise, check for fault codes and the battery.

 

Sounds like your wife has a real keen ear! I feel like I'm lacking experience, I'll get there.

 

I contacted Skoda and the sevice history only goes up till 2022, after that I'm guessing it hasn't been serviced.

 

I choose not to go with keyless entry as I've seen how easy it is for your car to be stolen that way, I don't want to take that risk 😂.

 

In terms of the other problems it's more the condition for example the tyre wall is damaged, to the point that I don't think that would of passed an MOT. Which is a simple fixed by getting a new tyre

29 minutes ago, nta16 said:

First photo is a bit too close up for me but the hidden bits on the car like that can look like a little child has been given the job of making them and putting them there but I suppose if they do their job and aren't seen does it really matter.

 

The cabin air filter cover might just be gunked up with muck/fluff/bits I'd scrape that stuff out, perhaps the filter was never changed ("service" "maintenance" history should say if it has at least been claimed to have been done).  The box with dots in it I think will show when the cover was made, it's not unknown for cars within the English motor trade to have parts from other car stock rather than original, not that it should matter on a part like that, assuming it's a correct part, best never to assume, particularly with the English motor trade, but to check.

 

That I think is good, or could be side window. 

 

If a window has been replaced it might not have the Škoda on it, as I failed to notice when my wife bought her used 2015 Fabia when I found bits of broken glass their "valet" failed to when I cleaned (a very rare thing) the inside of the car soon after my wife first bought it.

 

I'll have to have a look and see as I didn't know this

29 minutes ago, nta16 said:

First photo is a bit too close up for me but the hidden bits on the car like that can look like a little child has been given the job of making them and putting them there but I suppose if they do their job and aren't seen does it really matter.

 

The cabin air filter cover might just be gunked up with muck/fluff/bits I'd scrape that stuff out, perhaps the filter was never changed ("service" "maintenance" history should say if it has at least been claimed to have been done).  The box with dots in it I think will show when the cover was made, it's not unknown for cars within the English motor trade to have parts from other car stock rather than original, not that it should matter on a part like that, assuming it's a correct part, best never to assume, particularly with the English motor trade, but to check.

 

That I think is good, or could be side window. 

 

If a window has been replaced it might not have the Škoda on it, as I failed to notice when my wife bought her used 2015 Fabia when I found bits of broken glass their "valet" failed to when I cleaned (a very rare thing) the inside of the car soon after my wife first bought it.

 

Sorry about the first photo being to close, I cropped it as I can only upload photos up to 10mb.

 

The cover fits and holds. Although it doesn't have any catches, from what I've seen there should be one either side that you can slide together to lock and unlock. This just slots in and stays but I'll see if it drops out from the weight of the pollen filter, I'll have to get back to you about if it's an official part or not

I think that you can buy the 2 “slider” locking parts as a spares kit, I’ll check later.

52 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

although I'm not sure how I would find out if this has happened

I thought there were Škoda marking on the windows but with second thoughts I'm doubting myself, might be a false memory, too dark and cold to look outside now.

 

45 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

I contacted Skoda and the sevice history only goes up till 2022, after that I'm guessing it hasn't been serviced.

By 5 years old you'd want to see on top of the annual "services" which are little more than engine oil and filter changes and look-see for any chargeable work which not even a proper engine service let alone whole car service, brake fluid change, spark plugs, cabin filter!, I'd like to see engine air filter elements changed at least with spark plugs but more often personally, air-con service if someone else is paying for it.

 

59 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

the tyre wall is damaged

If it was like it when you bought the car then the tyre should have been changed or condition noted on some report, depends how bad it is of course and if it was ever seen or tyres even checked in reality.

 

1 hour ago, 131200BDP said:

Which is a simple fixed by getting a new tyre

Tyres are best changed in pairs of two (front or rear) or set of four or five.  Unlike the engine relatively, tyres are one of the important parts/components on the car they effect the braking (the most important system on a car), steering and suspension systems, safety electrics (lights, horn. blower, wipers, etc.), windows and mirrors (and reflective number plates) (see and be seen) all more important than the engine (and transmission).

 

1 hour ago, 131200BDP said:

Sorry about the first photo being to close, I cropped it as I can only upload photos up to 10mb.

No problem, see if the following can help, I reduced the size of the image or perhaps you can reduce it in camera's setting before taking the photos, having hi-res images is good for close up zooming but you don't always so much detail as 10mb or a lot less.

 

I have also cropped the photo and added circles before rum4mo posted and said about your missing catches, good job the muck was holding it up.

 

Orange circle is for what I guess to be some sort of locating slot I've never noticed before.

 

 

ETA: the following is for example, I've no idea if it's correct for Fabia let alone your model and year and its quality. - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305569797544

Fish Brothers, Skoda parts direct - https://skodapartsdirect.co.uk/product/skoda-fabia-hatch-2014-2021-pollen-filter-cover/

 

ETA: part number Fish Bros give - Part number: 6R2819422

Edited 16 February, 20251 yr by nta16
ETA:

Yup, I've just checked the spares, you can only buy the cover + 2 clips, a spares item common across the VW Group marques for this size/age of car.

 

Part shows 2 /2017 in the dots, a locating raised part and the wings that keep the clamping clips with the cover, or should do.

 

23 hours ago, nta16 said:

I thought there were Škoda marking on the windows but with second thoughts I'm doubting myself, might be a false memory, too dark and cold to look outside now.

 

By 5 years old you'd want to see on top of the annual "services" which are little more than engine oil and filter changes and look-see for any chargeable work which not even a proper engine service let alone whole car service, brake fluid change, spark plugs, cabin filter!, I'd like to see engine air filter elements changed at least with spark plugs but more often personally, air-con service if someone else is paying for it.

 

If it was like it when you bought the car then the tyre should have been changed or condition noted on some report, depends how bad it is of course and if it was ever seen or tyres even checked in reality.

 

Tyres are best changed in pairs of two (front or rear) or set of four or five.  Unlike the engine relatively, tyres are one of the important parts/components on the car they effect the braking (the most important system on a car), steering and suspension systems, safety electrics (lights, horn. blower, wipers, etc.), windows and mirrors (and reflective number plates) (see and be seen) all more important than the engine (and transmission).

 

No problem, see if the following can help, I reduced the size of the image or perhaps you can reduce it in camera's setting before taking the photos, having hi-res images is good for close up zooming but you don't always so much detail as 10mb or a lot less.

 

I have also cropped the photo and added circles before rum4mo posted and said about your missing catches, good job the muck was holding it up.

 

Orange circle is for what I guess to be some sort of locating slot I've never noticed before.

 

 

Thanks very much for that, I'll have to get a new pollen filter and see what happens as it seems to hold weirdly. As for the tyre, it's pretty bad

14 minutes ago, 131200BDP said:

As for the tyre, it's pretty bad

Any chords showing?

No dust cap!

Is the photo the right way up?

It has cut the rim protector!

 

Thanks.  AG Falco

Edited 17 February, 20251 yr by AGFalco
added dust cap not.