To clarify things here, the noise you are getting is really common across many of the smaller fiat especially the twin air 500's. there is a modified/superseded flywheel and clutch to rectify the problem. I replaced loads of them when I was in the dealer. Definitely fixes the fault and any dealer should be able to find the part numbers for both. Don't be fobbed off by any dealer. Fiat uk are well aware and could probably tell you the part numbers over the phone

burrowsdeano said:

there is a modified/superseded flywheel and clutch to rectify the problem. I replaced loads of them when I was in the dealer. Definitely fixes the fault

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I know dealers that stopped replacing, since the problem reoccured with these "so called improved parts". So probably the dealers that continued replacing did this as a kind of occupational therapy for their personnel. Besides, even the newer 500 TA models with dual mass flywheel have this groan problem.

Mick F said:

Yes, slipping the clutch when parking etc makes the groan.
...
The groan starts when I slip, but after releasing the pedal, the groan goes.

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It requires some exercise, but if you fiddle around with the clutch pedal, then you can find a position where the clutch slips without groan. Reversing without touching the throttle also helps to reduce/prevent the groaning.

Of course it's better to avoid a slipping clutch when reversing, but sometimes it's inevitable. For example when the TA is cold. Then the idle speed is so high that reversing slowly isn't possible without slippping clutch.

The groan when reversing is one thing, but when the car gets older, the clutch might also start to groan when shifting down from third to second gear.

AGH1965 said:

........... problem ............. this groan problem.

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Not picking holes in your posts.
Apologies for that, but I'm highlighting an issue that some may consider a "problem".

My question is: is it a problem?
I couldn't give a toss about it.
The clutch works, it groans a bit, but so what?
There are quite a few little niggles about a 500TA (and other 500 models) and a groan when reversing is nothing to worry about .......... and it isn't a problem, it's just a groan.

Perhaps some of us like it?

Best wishes,
Mick.

Is it a problem? Well, I can remember one occasion where the groaning made two pedestrians look at me. When I saw the look on their faces, I felt embarrassed. So technically it might not be a problem, but emotionally it might.

Yep, same here from new. Only in reverse and only just audible. I was thinking of contacting the dealer, but by all accounts it sounds like a 'Fiat Feature'.

No need to be red-faced in front of pedestrians, just say "It was the car, not me!"

Most ridiculous thread on here for a while.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/quicktips/qt/reverse_gear.htm

There'd be something wrong if it didn't make that noise.

I think most of drivers know all about noise in reverse.

Straight-cut gears are noisy of course, that's why helical-cut gears are used in forward gears. In the old days, they had straight-cut on first too, but for the past 40years(?) 1st has been helical too.

This thread is about the fairly loud and distinct groan from the TA clutch when it slips ............. not the normal mechanical "drone" from straight-cut gearing when driving in reverse.

Regards,
Mick.

TrevC said:

No need to be red-faced in front of pedestrians, just say "It was the car, not me!"

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Nevertheless I'm glad the clutch doesn't sound like a loud fart.

Hi all well this groaning noise in reverse does seem to be a problem/fault. Fiat have told me that what is causing it is a fault batch of release bearings that have been fitted to some Fiats fitted with the twinair engine. There is an upgraded improved part to resolve this issue and luckily my car is in now having this part fitted' to be honest who wants to pay for a car that makes a terrible noise like that yes it is embarrassing you literally have to reverse like a grandma to stop the mooing noise. Another Fiat garage told me that they would knock money off if I traded my car in and it was making that mooing noise in reverse.

UFI said:

Most ridiculous thread on here for a while.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/quicktips/qt/reverse_gear.htm

There'd be something wrong if it didn't make that noise.

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No, definitely not the normal whine you get in reverse on most cars. This sounds like an ailing bull just as the car begins to move backwards. In my car it's very quiet but I hear it quite often.

spen21 said:

Fiat have told me that what is causing it is a fault batch of release bearings that have been fitted to some Fiats fitted with the twinair engine.

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Nonsense. My 2011 car made the noise and my 2014 car does. That must have been one enormous batch of bearings then.

spen21 said:

Another Fiat garage told me that they would knock money off if I traded my car in and it was making that mooing noise in reverse.

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That's ridiculous. Just go to another dealer.

spen21 said:

There is an upgraded improved part to resolve this issue and luckily my car is in now having this part fitted

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Please let us know if the noise returns after some time, since:

AGH1965 said:

I know dealers that stopped replacing, since the problem reoccured with these "so called improved parts".

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I only know one other person with the twinair engine, and his groans in reverse sometimes too. We just accept it as a characteristic.
Our other car, a Suzuki, has rear brakes that squeal when reversing. When we had it serviced, we asked for it to be investigated under warranty. Later in the day, we were told that the rear brakes had been dismantled, cleaned, and copper grease applied, for an additional £80. My wife replied "I think not, I did not authorise that work" and the charge was waived. After a few weeks , the noise returned so we now accept that as a characteristic. And hey, at least passers-by get a warning when we are reversing either car off the drive!
As I started driving in the 1970s, when cars went properly wrong much more often, I think I'm more relaxed about these things than younger motorists.

Just happened to notice this morning, that ours now groans in 1st gear, and now less so in reverse!

Goodness knows what's going on.
Mick.

Hi everyone Fiat actually delivered my panda back to me after fitting this new updated clutch kit and guess what it still makes the same horrible reverse groan and now it has a stiff clutch pedal too god dam it ! so after a very awkward call to the dealership they wanted me to run the car for 1000 miles then call back if the noise persists. guess what it still makes the noise after 950 miles and I really hate this car now I would never had taken out the 3 year PCP on this car if It had made this horrible noise on the test drive. NEVER AGAIN FIAT !

spen21 said:

Fiat actually delivered my panda back to me after fitting this new updated clutch kit and guess what it still makes the same horrible reverse groan

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I already warned you that some dealers stopped replacing clutches because the problem often returns after a while, but in your case it did not even disappear. That is very disappointing. I hope you didn't have to pay for this "repair".

I have this problem on My Abarth 500 so it is not just the Twin Air model. It is something to do with the rear brakes. I'll swap discs and pads when I get around to it and see if that cures the problem. I did get them stripped and cleaned but that made the problem worse. My Alfa 145 QV also had this same problem. I find it is worse when reversing uphill, even a slight slope will see it honking/groaning.

Nowt to do with the brakes on our 500TA, it's the clutch making the noise as it slips at very slow speeds when manoeuvring.

Ours does it in 1st gear as well as reverse. I don't care at all, it's just "the way it is" with ours. No symptoms, just the groan.

Turn the radio up, and you can't hear it.
Mick.

bl4desman said:

I have this problem on My Abarth 500 so it is not just the Twin Air model. It is something to do with the rear brakes.

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No, you have a different problem. In case of the TwinAir the problem is definitely clutch related.