I have a 2001 fabia 1.4 16v which has begun to occasionally not want to start. This has happened on a number of times and doesn't make a difference whether cold or warm. What happens is it fires first time then stops, I usually get engine going after a devil of a job cranking on battery with jiggling throttle, when it finally fires it seems as though it is flooding until it clears. Normal starting is instant on first key!

I have also had the engine light on for last year which is normally the inlet manifold dirty with oil vapours, had this cleaned out, checked HT leads all OK.

Anyone got any ideas?

I know nothing about cars, but wondering what your engine temperature gauge is doing? I think you're saying it starts OK from cold generally?

Regards

Mo

PS Forgot to say Welcome and also that probably everyone except me does know about cars on here. I know a couple of quirks re 1.4's is all

Don't know too much about your cars engine but if it has a MAF sensor it sounds like the oil coming into the inlet manifold could have soiled it up.

Thanks Guys, Temp Gauge is always normal when running, cold when cold, not noticed reading when warm though.

I am not sure whether my car is fitted with a MAF but has sensors all over the engine, with what looks like one under the throttle valve and also a temperature/pressure sensor on passenger side end of inlet manifold, I did wonder whether I should remove them and clean them out.

Johnr

Have you had it serviced at a Skoda garage recently that's familiar with 1.4's? I ask because you mention that your engine light has been on for a year. Might be quicker (and cheaper in the long run) than other garages doing trial and error things, that you'd have to pay for of course.As said, I'm not a car person, but finding faults seems to be a game of snakes and ladders if a garage doesn't know the 1.4.

I'd ring round and find a Skoda garage who says they know what you're on about straight off, rather than "bring it in and we'll have a look". Yes, that's all a telephone operator can say, so ask to be put through to someone, or they call you back. If you just want to glean their knowledge and try to fix it yourself, that is your call, but I guess you might have an easier life biting the bullet and do something else with your spare time

Just my experience.

Best

Mo

I used to let Skoda garage loose on the servicing until I had to have a ABS system changed which worked fine prior to service also had new Control unit fitted after 1st year as garage with diagnostics mis-diagnosed a fuel pump relay fault. Since then I do my own for peace of mind.

John

:confused: I'm way out of my depth now so I'll bow out. *goes back to knitting*

Luckily, lots of people will read your post

Mo

Your CEL will have saved a fault code, bite the bullet and get it checked, either by a Skoda dealer, Independant or ask on here if there is a member local to you with VAG-COM, saves wild shots in the dark that may cost you money in the long run.

If you dont like your local dealer try one further afield, or any VAG dealer should be able to diagnose it.

Worst case scenario is you walk away from the dealer knowing what the problem is(Half an hour's labour up here), then its up to you to either fix it or get it fixed.

Hi Guys,

I have renewed the spark plugs and all seems OK again! but the car was running fine once started before. Engine warning light is still on..I will be having this checked out.

Many thanks to all who have replied.

Regards

Johnr

My car has the same problem. It seems to happen when I have driven for a couple of miles only, and start the car again after an hour or so. Or when the car has been parked up on our sloping drive whilst we have been away on holiday. I was wondering if it was something to do with the automatic choke (?!) but as I know naff all about cars I think it would be best to find a VAG-COM equipped dealer to diagnose any faulty sensors. What a brilliant resource this site is.