Hello everybody - my first posting !!!

I have a Fabia 1.4 100BHP petrol, bought Sept. 2006. Ran beautifully until the first service - then he next day, when ticking over at traffic lights -the engine gave a 'COUGH', ran very roughly and the Exhaust Management warning light flashed. The engine almost stalled, and ran very roughly for some miles, then the warning light stayed on (ie stopped flashing) and the engine ran more smoothly.

We have been back to the dealer 4 times now - and each time after a few days, the problem repeats - the dealer has changed the coil, the no. 3 injector, etc - but this only works for a short time. I am today waiting for the chief mechanic to ring me about what happens next - I have seen various postings about this not-uncommon problem (???) but no apparent solution ! Any help out there ???

Many thanks for an excellent site. __________________

The Chick

Could it be the dreaded piston ring problem? Is your car using exessive amounts of oil? Do a search for 'Fabia 16V Piston Rings' on here , that should bring up plenty of info.

Sounds like a blocked breather to me.

Doubt its the piston ring problem as that was the earlier version of the 1.4 16v. If the dealer is stumped it is probably something simple - like what Tom mentioned. Its like customer support for a computer company - "Ma'am, my computer doesn't turn on"; "Sir, is your computer plugged in?" Dealers often don't check the simple stuff first.