Please could some one help me with a recurring problem my fabia 1.4 8v Y reg has does not always start first time, been back to garage several times and not able to locate problem and neither are David Ian skoda at Morecambe. "Very unusual" they say and thats as far as it gets. However sometimes when it does start I find I have no power at all have to change gear down and even in second am slowly making progress while drivers behind are getting very annoyed. However today after it did this the engine management light came on so after I pulled in went round town and got back in no sign of problem, engine light or anything. Please does anyone know what the problem may be I hope it is some thing that can be sorted with an aftersales warrany (not skoda garage but RAYRIGG Barrow in Furness) it is making me so anoyed. other probe had with car in 17 months include wheel bearing going, power stearing going,thermostat going ( took ages to sort) nad various other probs, and i though skoda were reliable.

Not starting and power loss are not always the same thing. The first is generally a battery / alternator issue, and may be compounded by making a large number of short trips. The second may well just be a dirty throttle housing, causing the engine to be hesitant (have a search on here to find out how to clean it). If you're unlucky, it could be an ECU issue, although the ECU is designed to be pretty robust, and will have a selection of back-up modes it can run if the primary set goes down. This may explain why it was driving so poorly and showing warning lights, but was OK after you pulled over. A failing ECU should be easy for a dealer or VAG specialist to diagnose, and I've a feeling it's one of the things that even the most basic aftermarket warranty should cover. Worst comes to the worst, you might be able to get one from a scrapper, although I wouldn't have a clue how you'd go about fitting it and/or setting it up...

Unfortunately, most of your problems seem to have been electronic, which can be a bit of a timebomb on any make of car as it gets older. :( If it's any consolation, the mechanical bits of your 1.4 8v should be fairly sturdy...

Here is latest, car going in next week but it does no longer do it well at moment however and I did wonder this myself the mechanic did ask where I get my petrol and if i always get it from same place, usually it is asda bit have topped up once or twice at tesco................now there's a thought

Oh yes it generally goes about 40 miles a day to and from work, short distances should not be a concern but thanks anyway.

Hello again. As you know from an earlier thread, I reckon they are in a world of their own and you need a garage who understands their foibles. I say this because all of the problems mine has had (TBH typical for the car), only the knowledgeable garage knew what was what - and I've never been asked which fuel I used.

Dunno how you find such a garage or how this squares with your warranty-garage though. Maybe ask them some "If" questions?

Best

Mo