Hi. I'm new here, just looking for some advice about my Fabia. It's a X (2000) 1.4 MPI that's covered 42k. I got it from Derek Slack Motors in Middlesbrough at the end of August. The car was serviced before I collected it, but that didn't include the air filter.

I noticed almost straight away the fuel gauge was going down very quickly, and worked out it was doing about 26mpg. This is over a mixture of roads. I also noticed the car vibrated a lot when idling. Around this time I found this site, and found about the common fault with the thermostat, and noticed how long the car took to warm up. I took it back to the garage and they replaced the thermostat.

Monday last week, which was a couple of weeks later it went in again (it had an airbag problem and a dashboard rattle to sort as well) so I measured the mpg again, this time around 29. I once again mentioned this and the vibration at idle. This time they changed the spark plugs, and I was told about the thermostat housing, but I'm not sure if they did that this time or last.

I noticed the vibration was still there, so it went in again on Wednesday, when they did diagnostics on it and told me that there was nothing wrong with it (and explained the vibration being related to keeping the engine speed down for emissions - which I've also read on here, I guess that's just something to live with).

I filled it up after I got it back, and since last Sunday it appeared to be doing 36mpg (unless the garage put any petrol in) so I thought that problem was fixed. Since then the petrol gauge seemed to go down quickly and I filled it up again today when it got to the 3/4 mark. It had covered 62 miles and drank nearly 12 litres of fuel, under 24 mpg. Even the 1.8 Cavalier I used to have managed 26-30!

I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what could be wrong with it? I've been back enough with this car, and they still don't seem to have got it sorted, and I can't carry on feeding it as much petrol as what it's been going through.

One thing springs to mind straightaway - the air filter.

Skoda specify 40k change - which is way way too much.

I changed mine at 16k cos it was grey all through. Yours might still have the original filter in :eek: - so check this.

Simple enough matter to get out - couple of screws on mine (IIRC) and then tilt assembly to one side to unhinge / detach it - may be different on yours.

I have the same car and had the same problem I was getting 25/26mpg and all filters etc were replaced at the service when I bought the car.

I then noticed the temp gauge was taking a good 10mins to get up to full temp so got the thermostat changed which did the trick and found me an extra couple of mpg.

My mpg still is not great I do a lot of town driving my drive to work means sitting in traffic for 45mins just to go 8 miles so I only get about 28mpg I still expected more but after looking into expected mpg it is probably right which for a 1.4 is pretty dissapointing.

Second (or third?) on the points above. I've posted previously about the state of filters after much less than the 40k change interval (here), and also did a technical guide on changing the coolant temperature sensor (here), which includes instructions further on in the thread on how to change the thermostat housing at the same time. They sensor and the thermostat come as a pack, and both can be prone to faults, so it's worth doing both them together at the same time (doesn't cost much more than one or the other on their own, either!)

As Fabia 1.4's said, the 1.4MPi engine isn't brilliant in terms of MPG (my wife's hovers around 30 for a mix of in- and out-of-town driving with the A/C on) - it's a lot to do with the design dating back to (I think) the 60s. But it does have a few things going for it too, like the lack of a cambelt, and a reasonable level of torque considering the power. If you take a bit of time to find out how it responds best to throttle input etc, it can work wonders too. I find keeping it between about 2k and 3k (much as I do in my [diesel] vRS) gives a good balance between economy and performance - although these things are relative, of course! The odd blast up the dual carriageway / motorway helps too, as it clears out all the gunk, and gives the engine a chance to stretch its legs. Might sound a bit daft to say that, but some garages used to do that up until quite recently on cars that were only ever driven in town, in the guise of an 'Italian tune-up'!

Anyway, my wife and I are pretty happy with her MPi - warts and all - and I hope a bit of tinkering gets yours on-song too!

If you take a bit of time to find out how it responds best to throttle input etc, it can work wonders too. I find keeping it between about 2k and 3k (much as I do in my [diesel] vRS) gives a good balance between economy and performance - although these things are relative, of course!

I must say mine does drive very nicley at 2.5k revs and is very smooth and I hardly ever go over 3k unless I am going up a big hill and its struggling a bit and I need to give it some. When accelerating I find changing at 3k is fine and there is enough power there.

At first mine was really lacking in power and hills were a problem but a bottle of redex seemed to do the trick and made it more responsive.

I hate to say it, but 26mpg isn't exactly a suprise.

As people have already posted - it's an old lump (a rebored 1.3mpi from the Felicia I believe)....

I have an X reg 1.4MPI - and I average 28-35mpg... but then again - I do tend to drive it briskly at times ;-)

You have to take into account that the Fabia 1.4mpi only has (IIRC) a ~45 litre tank (11-12 US gallons), which is quite small compared to other (newer) similar size hatchbacks.

I get around 315-350 miles per tank - and that's what you'd expect.. ~29mpg..

Don't get me wrong - I know that's pretty carp... but I enjoy the engine, especially it's lack of a cam belt (it's got a cam chain)... and its low end torque.

Drive it for a while, it might grow on you, however, if you bought the car for amazing MPG, it will disappoint you!

HTH

Martin

I get around 315-350 miles per tank - and that's what you'd expect.. ~29mpg..

You do brillant compared to me then I get about 270miles per tank round town the best I have managed was 330 nearly all Mway driving. I wouldn't have be to annnoyed if I was able to get 300 from a tank on average (that's what I was expecting when I got the car)

Ahh well, I travel a good 27 miles to work and 27 miles back each day...

That isn't town driving :-)

Martin

Thanks for your advice . I had a look at the air filter not long after I got it but thought it looked alright. I've just had it out again and it's worse than I thought, though nothing on ap0gee's filter :P. It doesn't look as bad in the photo actually.

Photo here

I've also spoke to the previous owner of the car who said they got about 35mpg out of it (I forgot to ask when the air filter was last changed), which is the sort of thing I was expecting when I got it. Even if I don't get that, it sounds like I should be getting a bit better than what it's doing at the moment, so I'll see what it's like when that filter gets sorted out.

Other than the MPG, I'm very happy with the car. It replaced a 1.25 mk4 Fiesta and I'm definitely enjoying driving a lot more since I changed! I find myself taking the long way home just for an excuse to drive it some more. I seem to be spending most of the time between 1.5 and 3k revs where it picks up very well (by comparison the Fiesta didn't really pick up until about 3k.)

Air filter looks fine - I'll guess at 5 to 8k.

Mine was two three times that level of grey - but nowhere near as cruddy as Apogee's.

A point to bear in mind (soon, if not laready) is that the colder weather is upon us so that is going to have an effect on mpg (more so if you only do short journeys).

I bought an X-Reg 1.4 Mpi a few months back because I'd had other 1.4s and found them a good mix between frugality and performance. However, my Fabia seems to have neither!! It is limp at low speed and struggles with the hills of Sheffield (where's this Torque people are going on about?) and must be returning about 25mpg at the mo. I've learnt a lesson about the researching the age of engines, as against age of cars, but I'm not giving up yet as car is quiet, refined, and nicelty styled.

To be fair, I haven't had it serviced yet cos I had a wheel-bearing prob that needed fixing first, but I'm looking for anything that will help increase MPG in these expensive times.

Can anyone therefore answer the following questions:

1. Fabia 1.4 mentioned Redex - what is this?

2. I'll get the filters changed, but are normal filters OK, or are there any alternatives designed for better performance/frugality. Is filter change something a know-nothing can do? Can I check them myself and what do I look for (car is at 55k)?

3. People have mentioned thermostat change - mine does take around 5-7 mins to warm up at the mo - but it is winter. Is this worth doing even if it isn't faulty if I bought the part and took it to my mechanic to fit when he does other changes?

4. Will an oil change help? (oil levels are fine and looked a nice colour)

Thanks

Redex is just some solution that you put in with your petrol it helps clean the injectors and is meant to help improve mpg.

When my mpg was really low I put some in to give it a try maybe coincidence but the car did seem a bit better .

Your temperature gauge should be up to temp in about 1 mile when I was having problems with mine it was taking 3-4 miles.

I have an X reg 1.4MPI - and I average 28-35mpg... but then again - I do tend to drive it briskly at times ;-)

You have to take into account that the Fabia 1.4mpi only has (IIRC) a ~45 litre tank (11-12 US gallons), which is quite small compared to other (newer) similar size hatchbacks.

I get around 315-350 miles per tank - and that's what you'd expect.. ~29mpg..

I don't get how the car has a 45litre tank mine only takes 40litres and the pump cuts out is there some unknown way of getting the extra 5 litres in.

On my last tank I got 245 miles from about 38 litres ouch!!!!

Holy thread revival batman!

I too am rather unhappy with my Fabia's MPG. I'd have thought it would be close to my Favorit estate or better in terms of economy which easily saw over 40mpg on long runs, even over 45 if driven with care and keeping to about 60mph - despite having covered over 120k miles, being rather noisy, and making the oil disappear. The Favorit used a 1.3 single point injection version of the Skoda OHV engine. I can only suspect that power steering, the increased bore size, multi-point injection system, and increased weight of the car all adds up to poorer MPG. Quite disappointing, but at least my figures seem in accordance with those above. I drive both cars in quite a similar way. I suppose it is only 4mpg difference but all adds up,

I've renewed the air filter, installed Bosch super 4 spark plugs, added redex, renewed the old knackered thermostat and renewed the temp sender. The only thing I can think I have left which may improve MPG is to clean the throttle body, which I suspect as it does not have petrol flowing over it like in the single point set-up, could probably benefit from a good clean and adaptation with vag-com.

Edited 20 March, 201016 yr by anewman

I have an X reg 1.4MPI - and I average 28-35mpg... but then again - I do tend to drive it briskly at times ;-)

You have to take into account that the Fabia 1.4mpi only has (IIRC) a ~45 litre tank (11-12 US gallons), which is quite small compared to other (newer) similar size hatchbacks.

I get around 315-350 miles per tank - and that's what you'd expect.. ~29mpg..

I don't get how the car has a 45litre tank mine only takes 40litres and the pump cuts out is there some unknown way of getting the extra 5 litres in.

On my last tank I got 245 miles from about 38 litres ouch!!!!

Open the filler port, take out the filler cap, if you look inside the hole, you'll notice that on the side towards the front of the car is a small black circular thing (looks like the back end of a biro with a slit cut into it). If when you are filing up your car you gently press the end of the pump against this black circular thing you'll hear some air escaping. I assume this is some sort of valve to open the reseve tank or something. this is how I get more fuel in.

THIS THREAD IS ANCIENT!

I must have a good'un then , as I never get less than 36 MPG on the computer even around town (as long as theres no traffic jams!) I have seen 43 to 44 mpg on a run (again computer figures , no idea how accurate they are!) even if I 'keep up with traffic' on the A1/A19 (usually equates to about 80 mph cruise on dual carriageways) I get between 38 and 40 mpg. I think its a great little engine , nowhere near as economical as a modern unit , but not bad for what it is.

Based on recent experience, the MAP sensor on MPis seems to die slowly in a similar way to the MAF on diesels of a similar age. the MAP on my wife's finally gave up the ghost recently, and with a new one in, the MPG is up by about 25%. Aftermarket parts can be got off the 'bay for 20 quid, but the one I got was faulty. Probably a one-off, but I opted for an OEM part second time around, which is more like 50 quid. Either way, it will pay for itself in better fuel consumption sooner or later...

the MAP on my wife's finally gave up the ghost recently, and with a new one in, the MPG is up by about 25%.

Thanks very much, definitely something to look in to. Was there any evidence of gunk on the old one? I wonder if a good spray of carb cleaner could be enough to pep an old one up a little. Also the eternal question, where is the sensor?

Some of the aftermarket parts are made by good manufacturers like febi.

Old one was spotless TBH - no sign of any dirt or grease at all. It lives below the throttle body, sticking into the inlet manifold. It's easier to feel than see - square-ish, 1 or 2 inches along each side, with Torx screws at top and bottom, and a connector pointing towards the offside of the car. There's just enough room to get at it without removing anything other than the engine cover...

hi

on my 1.4 mpi with new chain filters spark plugs and oil my best was 31mpg.

but because of mileage which im doing now (400-450)per week i just sold it and now i have 1.9sdi.

i pay 1400 extra on top on my car but now i have 55 mpg last 4000 miles which is big difference on my monthly budget..

but same engine 136 i have on my rapid and i never go down than 35 mpg and i have heavy foot on rapid as well.

Just been wasting some time doing a bit of maths. Assuming a petrol price of 115p per litre (no doubt prices will increase reducing these figures anyway)

The cost of £50 expenditure on new MAP sensor would be recouped after approximately...

34,000 miles with 10% increase on MPG

18,000 miles with 20% increase on MPG

To add to the confusion it seems Skoda's catalogue calls the MAP sensor a thrust sensor.

Edited 27 March, 201016 yr by anewman

hi guys. i am here on behalf of a friend , who happens to own what i believe to be the same vehicle, a 2000 Fabia 1.4MPI 8V.

he just recently purchased the vehicle and it is averaging about 12L/100km or 23MPG(UK). just from reading this thread , i have already comprised a list of things to inspect on the vehicle, but are there any other components that have perhaps been overlooked? oxygen sensor? anything else

i have an actron OBDII code scanner, which we are hoping to try out on his fabia this saturday. have any of you tried reading codes? will it be possible to do so with a generic code scanner? or do we have to try and get our hands on some sort of skoda scanner? and another thing also, if anyone would be kind enough, could you please post a link to the Fabia Diagnostic Trouble Codes. i had no luck finding them using the forum search. i willcontinue researching this forum for potential fixes, and plan on posting when and if we eventually fix this problem.

****I forgot to mention that he took the car in yesterday to have the emissions tested, and he ended up passing the air pollution test, so that probably rules out the oxygen sensor. *****

thanks,

tom

Edited 1 April, 201016 yr by crazycrasho

I think my generic scanner was showing P0101, but only after we started getting warning lights on the dash. ISTR my copy of VAG-COM showed various intermittent induction-circuit faults before that, but nothing definite. Assuming the faulty one I got off the internet was a one-off, I reckon it would be twenty quid well-spent because a bit like the coolant temperature sensor, it's a part that goes sooner or later in my experience anyway...

hey guys,

my friend has been preocupied with other work as of late, but we did try to read codes from his fabia, however the actron obdII scanner failed to link to the fabia. has anyone had similar issues? we then tried the same scanner on a Skoda superb, and it worked without any issues, so the scanner is functioning properly. any suggestions would be much appreciated.

thanks

Hi. I'm new here, just looking for some advice about my Fabia. It's a X (2000) 1.4 MPI that's covered 42k. I got it from Derek Slack Motors in Middlesbrough at the end of August. The car was serviced before I collected it, but that didn't include the air filter.

I noticed almost straight away the fuel gauge was going down very quickly, and worked out it was doing about 26mpg. This is over a mixture of roads. I also noticed the car vibrated a lot when idling. Around this time I found this site, and found about the common fault with the thermostat, and noticed how long the car took to warm up. I took it back to the garage and they replaced the thermostat.

Monday last week, which was a couple of weeks later it went in again (it had an airbag problem and a dashboard rattle to sort as well) so I measured the mpg again, this time around 29. I once again mentioned this and the vibration at idle. This time they changed the spark plugs, and I was told about the thermostat housing, but I'm not sure if they did that this time or last.

I noticed the vibration was still there, so it went in again on Wednesday, when they did diagnostics on it and told me that there was nothing wrong with it (and explained the vibration being related to keeping the engine speed down for emissions - which I've also read on here, I guess that's just something to live with).

I filled it up after I got it back, and since last Sunday it appeared to be doing 36mpg (unless the garage put any petrol in) so I thought that problem was fixed. Since then the petrol gauge seemed to go down quickly and I filled it up again today when it got to the 3/4 mark. It had covered 62 miles and drank nearly 12 litres of fuel, under 24 mpg. Even the 1.8 Cavalier I used to have managed 26-30!

I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what could be wrong with it? I've been back enough with this car, and they still don't seem to have got it sorted, and I can't carry on feeding it as much petrol as what it's been going through.