Hello,


Ive had my fiat 500 1.2 petrol for over a year and a half. It has been in and out of different garages with most places either passing it off on the 'euro 6' engine and others blatantly saying there is nothing wrong with it.
I finally found out after opening a case with fiat hq that my car does not have a euro 6 engine but my problem is still there.


Every single time I set off from standstill be it fast, slow or normal medium speed my car some what pulls back, like a jump, and I can feel it through the pedal - does anybody else's do this?


Ive tried every single thing I can think of but its got to the point I hate getting in it everyday, Ive tried more revs, less revs, slow start, fast start, putting the clutch a little lower and a little higher than the bite point.. practically everything I can think of but its still there.


my partner has a 1.2 petrol car also, be it a corsa but its ancient and nearly falling apart - I can drive that no problem, there's no bump thing like mine and it sets off so smooth which is all I want in mine


any ideas what it could be? I know they replaced some sensors last time, could it be that?


Thanks in advance.

Difficult to say from your description. Could it be a cream crackered engine mount?

Thanks for your reply,


Im not sure re the engine mount, I will get it checked out though!


Its hard to describe without driving it and feeling it yourself, my dad is a mechanic and he mentioned something about a flat spot on acceleration.


The only thing I can think of to describe it is when you very first learn to drive and you take your foot off the clutch far too early and it jumps (just a singular jump though not the kangaroo effect)


Thanks again!

I found the 500 very different to drive than any of my last cars. And to begin with I was jumpy on the clutch. But soon got used to it and now there is no problem.

Might just need time to get used to it.

Just something to try, its something I've noticed on the fiat 1.2 engines I've had over the years.

Check the little breather pipe at the back of the air filter box.
It connects to a little spigot right under the back of the air filter box and goes to the bottom of the intake manifold. (its the thin one not the big one that goes to the top of the engine).
These sometimes get full of oil and crap from the engine and block up or soften with the oil and collapse. If you pull it off the air filter box (with care) and put your finger over the end you should feel suction if its not blocked. also check the spigot on the filter box which it connects to see if that's blocked too. you can go for a short drive with it disconnected to see if it makes a difference but don't drive like this for any length of time as your pulling unfiltered air into the engine.

This pipe allows air to bypass the throttle body on tick over when the throttle is closed. if its blocked the engine management system has to compensate by opening the throttle slightly. This can make pulling off feel a little jerky.

The other thing to try is a new set of spark plugs - that can make a world of difference too.

One other thing - if you're driving with your DRL's try turning them off if you can (later models they're permanently on). I know it sounds stupid but on my 08 plate if I put them on the engine labours something fierce on tick over and tends to want to kangaroo in slow moving traffic. Mines not the only one my friends daughter's is the same.

Cheers

Chris.

Hi Chris,


Thank you for the info, I will definitely check all this when I get home from work!!


mine is a 63 plate and don't think I can turn the lights off but will check! you mention that in slow moving traffic it wants to kangaroo this is exactly what mine does! it just overall feels really bogged down setting off and at slow speeds no matter what I try.


Thanks so much again!


Chelsea.

The symptom that you describe, have you actually had a Fiat mechanic drive the car with you in the vehicle? I've had dealings with garages in the past where you drop the car off with them, go back later and are told everytime that there's nothing wrong. Insist on either the service manager or floor manager at the dealership get in the car with you so they can experience for themselves what the problem is.

Not sure about the DRL's thing having anything to do with the issues, but as far as switching them off is concerned, if you go into the menu settings you can find the DRL disable function if yours are able to be disabled.

Sounds like all the folk who have been having trouble with later model 1.2's are really unlucky and clearly hacked off. Our old 60 plate 1.2 POP was an absolute joy to drive and never suffered any issues such as you have described.

How many miles are on this car?

Hi Frupi,


I have tried 3 times, on 2 occasions I requested to go out with a mechanic but when I get to the dealership they insist that they know what to look for etc and too busy for someone to come out.


The very first time I took it in a lovely man who was the head of parts in the branch near me came out with me and said that there is nothing wrong with the car that's just 'how they are' and he would never buy one.


I have currently 10,300 miles on the clock and its just over a year and a half old. Ive checked with fiat hq about handing it back to them but I have to wait until next july if I want to just walk away without any negative equity.


re Chris,


I have tried the breather pipe etc as you mentioned below and it all seems ok. I can turn my DRL's off and have done for the past few days - seems a little better but the problem still there. Going to order some new spark plugs and get them fitted, hopefully it works!


Thanks for all the advice

I'd go for the best quality plugs, there's a thread on here where jrkitchen talks about iridium ones.

I like NGK, in my experience way better than Bosch.

I know this won't sit well as it's still under warranty (so why would you want to pay) but would it be possible to get it checked out by a fiat/alfa independent garage?

Dealerships refusing to go out with a customer is appalling service but tbh only what I would expect. Stand your ground and make a bit of a fuss. Maybe when you book it in explain the history and book a convenient time for someone to come out with you.

They don't "all do that" you shouldn't accept that pathetic response.

Our car was built Oct 2013 and has the EU6 engine.It has had the software update but still not perfect when setting off as the switch on the clutch pedal still causes the engine revs to surge at biting point.I have been told this is an "anti stall device" but cant be doing the clutch much good.

auditt said:

Our car was built Oct 2013 and has the EU6 engine.It has had the software update but still not perfect when setting off as the switch on the clutch pedal still causes the engine revs to surge at biting point. I have been told this is an "anti stall device" but cant be doing the clutch much good.

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I'd agree.

Personally I would not buy any Fiat fitted with the Euro6 1.2 engine.

IMO the 8V 1.2 FIRE was at its best in Euro 4 form, but AFAIK that engine never made it into the 500. It certainly was never fitted to any UK models.