First of all hello !

I'm just posting incase anyone has suffered this problem with the 1.4 8v aluminium engine. My parents bought a Fabia nearly 6 years ago on a 52 plate. It's covered 36k and started loosing coolant, I assumed head gasket and they took it to their local Skoda dealer.

The compression was low in 2 cylinders and after removing the head a 3 inch crack was discovered in the block !

Now as far as I'm concerned the engine block should last a bit longer than 36k miles !

The technician admitted he'd seen this before and it was due to manufacturing defects in the Czech factory and now VW have dropped the aluminium engine for another design.

Skoda won't admit it's a known issue but the mechanic will, so if anyone has heard or experienced this I'd be grateful for a reply to have some ammunition for their head office.

I'm going for a goodwill repair firstly or failing that will be starting legal proceedings under the Sale of Goods act 1979 as a manufacturing defect obviously caused this.

Thanks

Simon

I'm on your side and totally agree, but I don't think you stand a chance under the Sale of Goods Act, you have to reject the item fairly quickly for that to kick in. If you get no joy on goodwill, talk to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Maybe we have a legal eagle on the site that could give you some advice?

Thats bad news, i myself have never seen it happen on this type of block.

Good luck with the goodwill!

Hmm , I'll have to keep an eye on mine , its on 38K now.