320touring's Rank Taxi 2 - 2004 Skoda Fabia TDi PD

[Dave_Q]

It seems a bit random as to which ones do and don't have the DMF, I had a 96 Audi A4 that was guaranteed DMF hell according to the internet, but a normal lump of metal when I actually did the clutch.

 

I'm sure there was a "department of acceptable drivetrain vibration levels" (one long word obviously, because German) deciding which ones got them or not.

[r.welfare]

Poor man's 1.4 MPI (OMGOHV!). I like these, they feel very solid to drive.

[320touring]

Okay_ been out for the first proper run in this..

 

Applying actual air to the tyres has improved ride comfort and handling it runs 185/60/14s .. PROPER COMFY

 

Look at the arseheatery!

 

Also discovered that the fuel gauge reads in reverse..

Pic one is before and pic two is after 15 sheets worth of derv.

 

Seller had told me about it-apparently another pump was swapped in whilst trying to eliminate the fault, and the sender feed runs the other way.

 

I have the original to swap in when I CBA

[SiC]

I wonder if a VAG-COM lead can program it to run the other way?

[320touring]

I wonder if a VAG-COM lead can program it to run the other way?

The thought did cross my mind. I have managed to connect successfully to it via vagcom..

 

Tbh its likely still easier to see if I can swap the power plug round..

[320touring]

Have you had your laptop on it yet?

I have successfully read the codes with vagcom,the stock map read OK too.

 

I'm not going to do anything to it until I have the can sensor fault rectified.

 

Then it'll be a case of seeing what the insurance want for it to be tuned

[320touring]

Looks like bigfella2 is sending me a cam sensor:)

 

Cheers chief!

[SiC]

The thought did cross my mind. I have managed to connect successfully to it via vagcom..

 

Tbh its likely still easier to see if I can swap the power plug round..

If its only 2 wires, swapping them around is unlikely to make any difference.

[320touring]

If its only 2 wires, swapping them around is unlikely to make any difference.

We shall discover once I decide to look:)

[Split_Pin]

Fuel gauges are overrated.

[twosmoke300]

Cam sensors don't usually cause a car to cut out . You can usually disconnect once they are running . Cam sensor faults usually show in poor hot starting first .

What codes did vag com read ?

[320touring]

Cam sensors don't usually cause a car to cut out . You can usually disconnect once they are running . Cam sensor faults usually show in poor hot starting first .

What codes did vag com read ?

Can sensor no signal intermittent Was what the code said -can't remember what number was.

 

I'll get some miles on it and see if I get it to do it. I cleared all codes yesterday so will drive it for a bit and see what pops up.

 

Cheers for the help on this:)

[twosmoke300]

Connector for it is round the front of the engine and you can change it without taking the cambelt off but it is snug

[320touring]

Connector for it is round the front of the engine and you can change it without taking the cambelt off but it is snug

Yep-looks like a simple job for a competent chap..that's me fucked then..

[320touring]

Tonight this went to Dome's Fabia Fiddling emporium for some camshaft sensor shenanigry.

 

First we scanned the car for fault codes as I'd cleared them all 200 miles ago.

 

It flagged a 'camshaft sensor intermittent' as expected.

 

Next up we stripped it down to have a look.

 

First the engine cover was polled off, then the pipe onto the (very new looking)egr was removed.

 

This provided access to the 2 spring clips that hold the top cam cover on.

 

With that removed, we could see the sensor.

 

Judicious use of a 1/4 drive ratchet and 10mm socket saw it unbolted.

 

We then disconnected it from the loom end and examined it for damage. None was found.

 

The loom end, however, showed a nick in the brown wire just down from the connector.

 

This was temporarily taped up and everything refitted.

 

A short test drive suggested it was running OK, so I did the 50mile trip home (via my bro's)

 

I ran a quick scan when I got home- no codes!

 

Think I'll get a loom end off a scrap car and patch it in - possibly with a bit more play on it as current one seems quite tight.

 

Cheers to Dome, and to Bigfella2 for the spare sensor- not needed currently but good to have!

[Dave_Q]

Good effort.

 

I would consider making up that bit of loom with new wire. Its hot where it runs and a replacement of a scrapper is likely to be a bit brittle and possibly not much improvement.

[320touring]

Good effort.

 

I would consider making up that bit of loom with new wire. Its hot where it runs and a replacement of a scrapper is likely to be a bit brittle and possibly not much improvement.

The issue is that the bare wire is right near the plug end. Having a spare I can pull to bits and fiddle/rewire is the plan- car stays mobile in the meantime..

[twosmoke300]

I can see the problem - Lucas sensor - absolute crap . Would also be worth giving the steel teeth on the back of the camshaft pulley a good check for damage . The sensor reads off these and any bending can cause strange issues

[Dave_Q]

If you're robbing connnectors off scrappers get the connector for the electric mirror switch as it's the same as the one you need to fit cruise control. it looks like this.

 

[320touring]

I can see the problem - Lucas sensor - absolute crap . Would also be worth giving the steel teeth on the back of the camshaft pulley a good check for damage . The sensor reads off these and any bending can cause strange issues

Thanks:) got 2 other sensors in store- will check pully teeth when doing the loom replacement.

 

Dave cheers for the info re the cc switch req

[320touring]

This is off on a 300mile work trip today.

 

Freezing fog and -4 bodes well for hunting about Dumfries and Galloway..

[montytom]

I like the little fabia. I had a 1.9 sdi classic and that was a lovely little thing. Granted not very quick but was great on fuel

[320touring]

So how did it go?

 

290 miles with no problem!

 

Number 1- heated seats = WINNING!

 

Number 2- the PD lump has BOOOST even in stock format, goes well enough.

 

Number 3- its comfortable enough for long trips. Was key on for over 7 hrs

 

Number 4- OMGMPG.

 

Downsides- screenwash freezes easily, despite being made up plenty strong

[Lacquer Peel]

Most screenwash is utter shit, most of the cheap blue stuff is only good down to 0°C undiluted.

[Richard]

The freezing point of the correct mix of screenwash and water is much lower than the freezing point of screenwash or water. I have never seen a screenwash label that acknowledges this, most of them claim that it works best undiluted.

 

Have you found one that works?

[320touring]

Screenwash composition aside, I don't think the location of the bottle or the lack of heat from the engine escaping to the bay helps:)

 

Any suggestions re mix ratio?

[Split_Pin]

If it's not a car you cherish, just go for 50/50 with a good quality concentrate.

 

Taking the risk with the paintwork is worth it if you do long motorway journeys, nothing more annoying than a salted up screen every few miles.

[Lacquer Peel]

Lidl screenwash is great.

[rainagain]

I've got some of that Halfords deicer that's a manual trigger spray (I.e. Not a pressurised metal can). What would happen if I added some to the screen wash? I don't think it could be that bad for the paint.

[Dave_Q]

Good effort on the mpgs, I could never get mine much higher than mid 40s unless I reset the trip while doing a cruise controlled 70.

 

My wife got 50+ out of hers though, don't think she ever saw less than about 500-550 miles out of a tank.