Hi.
New to this forum and would like some help.
I have a Brava 1.4 S -97 that sounds a bit like an old Fieasta from the engine. Almost like a diesel. It is not a knocking sound and the car runs great. Is this how these sounds?

thanks!

/JD

Because this is my first "used" Fiat, Im not sure if this sound is normal. Revs alright, idle is ok. Just the noise, as if it would be an old Trabant or something. Or Ford for that matter.

/JD

Hi JD and welcome to the forum

A '97 1.4 should run fairly smooth. First thing to check is oil, is it there and what does it look like. Then check rocker arm spray is not blocked.

Next fuel system, injectors mainly. Try a cleaner.

sry I cannot be of more help at moment. Post a bit more info and we'll try to help further.

Dave

Thanks for the reply.
Well, this morning when I cam to work, it sounded a bit dodgy, idle speed runs a bit uneven. If it would be something with the injection, would that not be a MOT failure?
Because I just bought the car, I dont know how the engine sounded before. The oil level if fine, oil is not black so it has been changed recently. I dont notice anything whilst driving it, runs nice. Just sounds like a tractor on low revs.

/JD

Raspy exhaust mite make it sound like a old fiesta..

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I think I will have the valves adjusted, might be the problem.
Anything I can put in the tank or the oil to make it run more smoothly?

/JD

There are a number of fuel/oil additives you can use.

Forte is probably the best fuel additive, but wynns will give an improvement.

You can get oil additives for worn engines that will reduce rattles in the engine, but they are a last rites action.

A valve train cleaner in the oil can have a similar effect as a purge and replacement, takes about 500 miles to take full effect.

I think halfords do an additives leaflet, just bear in mind that they are trying to sell the stuff.

Dave

The 1.4 was the noisiest engine available in the Bravo/a, and are noisy on start up anyway.

It may be worth doing an engine flush. Forte Motor Flush is a good one to use. Run the car / drive around with the engine flush in for a couple of days, drop the oil and replace with new. Certainly helped quieten down my 900 Cinquecento that sounded like a tractor. Sounds lovely (or as lovely as a 900 Cinq can sound!) now.

Failing that, if the revs are lumpy, you could well find that the oil feed pipe has blocked at some point wearing out the camshaft + lobes.

without doubt the 1.4 is the worst engine fiat have made in recent years, its probly the cams like paul said.

-=[uno 1.0ie RAAAWW!]=-
-=[fiat tech for what it's worth.]=-

perhaps a all in 1 addative in the petrol tank might help it will clean ur fueling system and injectors and also might raise the octane rating
10k boost or nitrox are supposed to be good

Oki folks. Its official. My camshaft needs to be replaced.
Today I serviced the car, changed filters, put some STP injection cleaner in, changed the spark plugs.

I then drove to a friend of mine who used to work as a car mechanic.
The "Fiesta sound" is very obvious now and when open the oil cap you hear it very clearly. A camshaft might not be that expensive as I thought, around £80.
The work however is very expensive.
Anyone here that have had their camshaft changed that know how much it will be in total?
I had the car for 1 week:=(
Brava 1.4 -97 77K miles

the jobs pretty much like a head gasket repair so could be around the £300 mark not including the price of the head.
if you dont mind me asking, if youve had the car a week, where did it come from? I guess there is no warrenty ?

Just an idea. If you are putting a new camshaft in, why not go for a high lift. The price difference is not that much and at least you are getting something out of the money.

or you could buy another car with the same money.....

I agree with Scorg - take it back to where you bought it from and COMPLAIN.

I'm guessing a brava 1.4 wasn't a retail car. prob private

I have the same problem with my brava 1.6 16v (tappety sound) and also the strange idling problem, tried replacing timing belt and new tensioners which made no difference at all. It would be great to get to the bottom of this problem.

With hydraulic tappets you sometimes have to re-oil them by hand if they've been changed or allowed to get dry. They get an airlock and won't pick the oil up.

How do you go about removing cover to get to them, this was easy on my old escort but doesnt look as easy on a fiat engine.

Just had a look. Is your engine the one with separate cam covers. Not an easy job, looks like you have to remove the electrics and inlet manifold to get to the covers. All you will be able to do is check for wear on the cam lobes and followers without removing the cam blocks. I would be sure that you want to do this before starting and I recommend getting a Porters or Haynes manual as well.

You can get a separate gasket set for the top half of the engine.