General 500 Failure

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General 500 Failure

Joined
May 28, 2003
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70
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Location
Corby Northants
Hi all,

My wife's 500 with only 9000 miles on clock died earlier in week. It has been a nightmare since cambelt jumped 5 teeth earlier in year with only 4,000 miles on clock. Since then problems starting, cutting out, and sounding like a diesel.
Finally this week result head has blown so now maybe Fiat Uk will give me a new engine ( which I asked for 4 months ago). However main dealers seem reluctant to admit cambelt jumping is cause of problem, your comments and advice welcome.
 
Well they said it was a stone that made it jump, highly unlikely.

Had 4 new injectors as it sounded like diesel, new air temp sensor as saying 37 deg c when it was minus 5 outside, new ecu, and all new valves just in case the belt slipping had done some damage but the tell me it is a "non interference engine". Also had hydraulic tappetts reset 3 times.
Wife is scared to drive it, as she thinks it will stop every time she uses it.
I have always bought Fiat, had Barcetta, coupe, brava, bravo, Panda ,uno,tempra, punto and grande punto. But this is the worst car I ever bought IMO. Plus it was a 40th birthday present which makes it worse.
 
Well they said it was a stone that made it jump, highly unlikely.

Had 4 new injectors as it sounded like diesel, new air temp sensor as saying 37 deg c when it was minus 5 outside, new ecu, and all new valves just in case the belt slipping had done some damage but the tell me it is a "non interference engine". Also had hydraulic tappetts reset 3 times.
Wife is scared to drive it, as she thinks it will stop every time she uses it.
I have always bought Fiat, had Barcetta, coupe, brava, bravo, Panda ,uno,tempra, punto and grande punto. But this is the worst car I ever bought IMO. Plus it was a 40th birthday present which makes it worse.

A non interference engine WILL lunch itself if the cambelt slips, if it breaks then it's safe but if it slips pistons will still possibly be able to meet valves.

The temp sensor is susceptible to inaccuracy if the car has been stationary in the sun for a while. Mine was saying 11 when it was actually -6 outside as per these photos, not the ice on the windscreen and on the inside of the windscreen.
 

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A non interference engine WILL lunch itself if the cambelt slips, if it breaks then it's safe but if it slips pistons will still possibly be able to meet valves.

Maxi, how does this work? I thought the definition of a non-interference engine was that the pistons *never* travel far enough up the bore to meet the valves, whether the valves are open or shut

Note: I could be being retarded here.....
 
That engine has been so mucked about with I'd never want it in my car. If it was a ten year old banger, maybe, but not brand new.

And then after all that it blows a gasket: new car please!
 
Maxi, how does this work? I thought the definition of a non-interference engine was that the pistons *never* travel far enough up the bore to meet the valves, whether the valves are open or shut

Note: I could be being retarded here.....
Nah I suspect it's me being retarded. You're probably right. Learn new things every day :)
 
Maxi, how does this work? I thought the definition of a non-interference engine was that the pistons *never* travel far enough up the bore to meet the valves, whether the valves are open or shut

Note: I could be being retarded here.....

My understanding is that the pistons are recessed to ensure the valves can't make contact in the event of cambelt breakage or slip. :confused:

I've always thought it was a stupid bit of engine design where an item with a limited life (cambelt) could completely wreck an engine when it failed. They don't all last until the recommended service/replacement interval. (n)
 
My understanding is that the pistons are recessed to ensure the valves can't make contact in the event of cambelt breakage or slip. :confused:

I've always thought it was a stupid bit of engine design where an item with a limited life (cambelt) could completely wreck an engine when it failed. They don't all last until the recommended service/replacement interval. (n)

I'd say there's an extremely small failure rate before the replacement interval. Most breakages I've heard of were people who never even changed the belt at all.
 
I'd say there's an extremely small failure rate before the replacement interval. Most breakages I've heard of were people who never even changed the belt at all.

True, but I do know of a couple that failed early - both while the engine was ticking over too. My point is that allowing for the fact that it can happen - the engine shouldn't get wrecked.

My other concern is that it is not easy to be certain that the workshop has really changed the belt at the due service.

Equally, I know people who have bought second hand long before the due belt change mileage - then not bothered with official services and have gone on to amazing mileages without belt failure.

My diesel Merc had a massive duplex chain instead of a belt. I believe the 500 diesel might have a chain too.
 
Well 2 weeks on and still no 500, dealer has replaced head gasket and 2 bent rods. Phoned Friday 8am to collect, wife went to pick up and surprise surprise it would not start.

I Tink only options is to ask for a replacement
 
Well 2 weeks on and still no 500, dealer has replaced head gasket and 2 bent rods.

Which would imply it is an interference engine. Forum wisdom disagrees with that for the FIRE engines. The mystery deepens.....

Honda, I'm sorry you're being dicked around like this. I assume you've kept FIAT UK/CS firmly in on the loop on this? From what you've said something isn't adding up about this. Do keep us informed about what happens (cos we're nosey so and so's :) )
 
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