Skoda Fabia 1.2 2003 Estate turns over but won't start.

[jeepster968]

I was checking the back brakes and tightening the handbrake ready for the cars MOT. I've had no running problems with the car however it now will not start. The engine is turning over but will not start.

I have checked the obvious:
Fuel Pump
Fuses
Spark plugs
Coil Packs
Immobiliser
Error codes - none showing.

Any ideas? The car went up onto ramps, had handbrake tightened and then ramps lowered and that was it. All working fine before and no warning lights previously or now.

[jeepster968]

Crankshaft sensor now checked and that's not the problem. Could it be the timing chain? Running out of ideas.

[Hex69]

Have you had a fault code read? That's where I'd start.

[jeepster968]

Thanks for the reply but as stated above there are no fault/error codes showing, they have been read.

[Crasher]

Did you at any point crank the engine over with the coil packs not on the plugs but still connected to the wiring harness?

[jeepster968]

Must be honest - I can't remember. I've been trying to get the car going since last Friday. Both coil packs and spark plugs tested for spark and all working.

[Crasher]

If it has fuel delivery, air induction, compression, valve timing and spark at the right time it must run so one of those is missing. I see a lot of these with three dead coil packs.

[jeepster968]

It's not the coil packs as all 3 were replaced together and recently (2 months ago). I know they are a common problem with this car and all 3 must be replaced even if it's showing that only one has gone.
It's almost as if the car has everything it needs to start but either something is stopping it or it's not all happening at the right time.

[Crasher]

Then the cam timing will need to be checked.

[jeepster968]

That's what I feared. It's a chain on this car not a belt. That's a job that I cannot do as even checking the chain requires engine mounting off and engine being supported. I don't have the equipment for that. I gather that it's fairly common on this car for the chain the skip. Is there any other way of checking the cam timing without viewing the chain?

[jeepster968]

Is EGR valve a possible problem?

[Crasher]

Cam plates and crank sensor out and insert locking plates.

http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?code=4083

[jeepster968]

It's definitely the timing chain - it's skipped a tooth and the tensioners need replacing. My local main dealer (Crawley Down Group) quoted £80 to diagnose and then £1000 to change the chain ( all plus VAT). Needless to say my car wasn't going there.
I managed to get a timing chain kit for £117 incl vat and my local independent garage is dealing with it for £180. The maim dealer prices where just stupid.

After research it appears that this is quite a common problem with this engine.