My car was due to go in for service tomorrow and went to start it last night and it will not start.

The engine turns over but it does not appear any indication that it is firing, just turns over at a moderate speed.

I wondered if the cambelt had failed but i took off the top cover this morning and the belt appears taught and is turning the camshaft if the starter is turned

I am aware now from this forum that I should have changed the cambelt, tensioners and water pump by now and it is booked in for monday

Can anyone suggest any immediate things that I can check to get the car started and get it to Skoda under its own steam, otherwise its a 20 mile tow

Anyone had any similar symptoms? The car had been standing since Saturday night

I have had a bit of a spluttering problem in the first minute after starting, rough idle/hestitant in low gear for some while now, and last week the there was an occasional miss on the engine when accelerating

Does anyone know when the Lambda probe should be changed on this model and give any indication of cost for that

My car is a 52 Octavia 1.8T 4x4 saloon 69K

The Lambda probes aren't a service item as far as I am aware, generally they would be replaced if suspect or faulty.

Have you got a second key and if so have you tried it?

Camshaft positioning sensor?

I have not had time to check the condition of the belt for its full length, My daughter had a cambelt break on trying to start her car, but it did not actually snap it was held together by a couple of cords, but obviously caused the belt to stretch causing the timing to go out.

So Flyntech your answer may be right, the camshaft is out of position. but if I get to check the belt and it is intact, is there a way of testing that sensor

Gary

VRStu Re the lambda probe entry whilst I was thumbing through the service book under the section WHAT SERVICE ENTAILS there was a section Replacing the Lambda Probe which suggests the replacement intervals depend on the lead content of the fuel used in a particular country, refer to your skoda dealer re the correct replacement intervals.

As we use lead free petrol in the UK do I take it that this sensor only needs to be replaced when faulty then.

and sorry everyone I posted this in the wrong forum, mine is an older Octavia