Hello Fiat Freaks!

My thread concerns my daughter's 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.4 'Active'.

She bought this car from Arnold Clarke's in Scotland, paid over the odds for it obviously.

When she bought the car it came with 4 different low profile tyres fitted. I think the originals would have been Continentals...well, there was only one Continental fitted. The tyre inflation kit was 'used'!! The car is fitted with Fiat 17 inch alloys which are quite 'cool'.

Basically, they 'saw her coming' and did the bare minimum to get the car ready for her purchase. Obviously they are running a business and won't spend money where they won't get a return.

Since buying the car she has had several problems, including a new exhaust fitted, a fuel leak(still evident as the car sometimes smells of petrol) I have paid for new tyres to be fitted, not Continentals but the best I could afford at the time. She has a slow 'deflation' issue on one of those tyres. She has also suffered from excessive wear on these new tyres. Quick Fit in Scotland have removed the tyres concerned and returned them to the factory as the cars tracking etc is all within permitted parameters.

Now, the car will not pull that well during acceleration and 'hunts' sometimes. This is an intermittent fault and therefore difficult to trace or diagnose.

Basically, she has not a had a good experience since buying this car. As she drives my grandson(he's 1 year old today ) in this car I do worry about the problems, especially as winter approaches.

Just reading on here there are several issues concerning Fiats(but all modern cars in reality) so I will have a good dig about under the bonnet when I get home(I work in Spain most of the time)

With this car, has anyone got any 'pointers' regarding poor running...?

I have read on here and elsewhere that the EGR valve on modern cars is mostly overlooked, so I will be giving that a good clean when I get back after I inspect it. Have a look at the throttle body as well. Anyone got any preferred products for cleaning the injection system(off the shelf additives?) Maybe a service by 'Garage of Dad' may be in order as well.

Anyway, a problem shared is a problem halved... So they say!!

Best regards

Malcolm:slayer:

Hi Malcolm

Sorry to hear your daughter has not had the best start, the Bravo in my opinion is excellent car so without knowing the cars mileage or service history I can only offer my humble opinion/advice.

An exhaust is a wear part and depending on how and where you drive the car and your mileage an exhaust will fail, my 2008 has just been treated to a full stainless system as the original failed at 50k.

Secondly I run Firestone Firehawk tyres, I find they offer excellent grip in the wet. If your having uneven tyre wear get a full wheel alignment check. This will rule out any problems with the car and allow you to correct it.

Thirdly, without knowing the service history I would think that if you are having poor running then I would treat the car to a full service. So new plugs, air filter, oil filter & oil before anything else. Unless your getting an engine management light, then get the car to a garage and get the codes read.

Hope this helps.

Timbo

I am running a 1.4 active (58) which I bought in 2009 as an ex-demo. Its now done 77k. I have experienced tracking issues but at last I 'think' I have found a place that sets it right. Mine has steel wheels, my choice, so I have no experience of alloys. The Fiat exhaust systems tend to last well, I replaced my rear and mid sections this year at about 74k.
Your running problem could be a number of things and a diagnostic should put you in the right direction to identify. Maybe coil?
Remember a used car is just that and without a service history its difficult to be sure of anything previous. Also 2007 means its an early one, although most of the car is proven technology from earlier models (esp Stilo)
I agree with TGB, the bravo is a good car, and I hope you will be able to fully enjoy it soon.

Bubble Trouble said:

Hello Fiat Freaks!

My thread concerns my daughter's 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.4 'Active'.

She bought this car from Arnold Clarke's in Scotland, paid over the odds for it obviously.

When she bought the car it came with 4 different low profile tyres fitted. I think the originals would have been Continentals...well, there was only one Continental fitted. The tyre inflation kit was 'used'!! The car is fitted with Fiat 17 inch alloys which are quite 'cool'.

Basically, they 'saw her coming' and did the bare minimum to get the car ready for her purchase. Obviously they are running a business and won't spend money where they won't get a return.

Since buying the car she has had several problems, including a new exhaust fitted, a fuel leak(still evident as the car sometimes smells of petrol) I have paid for new tyres to be fitted, not Continentals but the best I could afford at the time. She has a slow 'deflation' issue on one of those tyres. She has also suffered from excessive wear on these new tyres. Quick Fit in Scotland have removed the tyres concerned and returned them to the factory as the cars tracking etc is all within permitted parameters.

Now, the car will not pull that well during acceleration and 'hunts' sometimes. This is an intermittent fault and therefore difficult to trace or diagnose.

Basically, she has not a had a good experience since buying this car. As she drives my grandson(he's 1 year old today ) in this car I do worry about the problems, especially as winter approaches.

Just reading on here there are several issues concerning Fiats(but all modern cars in reality) so I will have a good dig about under the bonnet when I get home(I work in Spain most of the time)

With this car, has anyone got any 'pointers' regarding poor running...?

I have read on here and elsewhere that the EGR valve on modern cars is mostly overlooked, so I will be giving that a good clean when I get back after I inspect it. Have a look at the throttle body as well. Anyone got any preferred products for cleaning the injection system(off the shelf additives?) Maybe a service by 'Garage of Dad' may be in order as well.

Anyway, a problem shared is a problem halved... So they say!!

Best regards

Malcolm

Click to expand...

Regarding four different tyres... I guess the seller sold you a lemon in the first place. You had some bad luck. But now it is time to fix those issues. As the user above noted, that all the things can be fixed. I bet your car was sold with some kind of warranty. Go there and demand from them to resolve the hidden issues.There are laws for cases like that for the whole EU and at least in my country you can make their lives miserable by reporting them to the authorities.

I owned three Fiats so far, and in most cases, all the issues that are with them, well I take care of some of our Volkswagen and BMW cars in our company, and it all comes down to the service guy and the users or buyers who are either taking care of their cars or not taking any car.

Fiat cars are reliable, but you have to service them on schedule.The leaking fuel might be a cause of poor servicing or lack of knowledge at the mechanic. Never trust a mechanic, as you are the one who pays at the end. Even if you do not know what to check, read, learn and triple check and as questions, you have the right to do so. You are paying them and not the other way around.
Deflation can be an issue related to the one who fitted your tyros. Usually even if you pay for new tyre valves, some guys charge you the new ones and put in the old ones with new caps etc. The rim, usually isn't the issue.
Excessive wear can be a problem related to poor balancing, ie. the guy who put on your tyros. Does the steering wheel tremble or vibrate at higher speeds on highway? Does the car change way it goes if you let the steering wheel and put both of your hands off it at speed under 50km/h if it does not go in the straight line it can be a problem. It might just be insufficient tyre pressure in on of the tyros, can be tyre balancing, optics etc.. Try with the basics at lower speeds and on straight and even road. At higher speed the issue is more evident if feel like trying.

The car "hunts" or stalls during acceleration, are you getting any errors, warning lights? As it was written in the post before, even if you buy a new used car, ALWAYS! replace the air,oil filter and oil those are the basics, change the fuel filter as well and do check the plugs. Since the car is from 2007 it is advised to replace the timing belt, water pump… Regarding slow acceleration it can be the air sensor which can get clogged due to short trips done by previous owner or by bad servicing or bad fuel/dirty oil filter.

I have to say at least for my previous Bravo 2007-2013 mjet diesel which a can not drive since it in process of divorce with my ex wife…It never left me nowhere and has been almost without a glitch. I bought another gasoline jet this year just because I feel in love with the first one. And knocking on wood it is as good as previous one. If I recall correctly you have a regular 1.4 with 90HP and is a stander FIRE engine, and these engines are even simpler to service as the jet and have less things prone to failing.

I wish you good luck and I hope you resolve those issues ASAP. Please do not take my replay too personal, as it was not meant to make fun of your bad luck it was meant to help you resolve your problems.

Bubble Trouble said:

... I have paid for new tyres to be fitted, not Continentals but the best I could afford at the time. She has a slow 'deflation' issue on one of those tyres. She has also suffered from excessive wear on these new tyres. Quick Fit in Scotland have removed the tyres concerned and returned them to the factory as the cars tracking etc is all within permitted parameters ...

Click to expand...

What’s the full story on this?
What make/model/size/spec of tyres?
Why would the tyre shop return them to the manufacturer?

121111Z

Sorry for the delay in getting back to all on this subject..

I spoke to my daughter(I live and work inSpain) and she has that the car failed it's MOT via Arnold Clarke with tyres that were 4 months old(just the fronts) the rear tyres that were fitted at the same time were okay. My daughter doesn't do that many miles although the car is used everyday.

Regarding the make etc I honestly can't remember. I ordered them online through Quick Fit hence their mention earlier. It seems that they HAVEN'T returned the front tyres to the manufacturer after all(sorry my mistake) but suggested this at the time. I think my daughter had to shell out for two new tyres to pass the MOT!! Not sure TBH. I have promised her to have a good look at the car when I get home(mid January) which will be fun being as they live in N.E. Fife in Scotland :-S

I have a lock up at least but that is no where near where I stay and my tools are not stored there!!

I will have a look at carrying out a basic service as suggested, although Arnold clarke were meant to have done all that(probably just and oil and filter change) so will do the lot in slow time and concentrate on the ignition system etc...

Many thanks for all the advice so far...if I get home earlier than January I will get stuck into it!!

Bubble Trouble said:

I spoke to my daughter(I live and work inSpain) and she has that the car failed it's MOT via Arnold Clarke with tyres that were 4 months old(just the fronts) the rear tyres that were fitted at the same time were okay. My daughter doesn't do that many miles although the car is used everyday.

Click to expand...

I’m struggling a bit with untangling the events.
Any chance of some `time’ &/or `mileage’ information?

My thinking on the make/model/size/spec is – that should some element of that be outside the spec of the tyres in the OH, then there would be little point in challenging the tyre company. Their obvious response would be that they can only act on elements within their control. Should the tyre selected be outside that recommended by FIAT – then they don’t control that … that’s between you & the tyre shop.

I can’t see the Kwik-Fit(?) reasoning in suggesting the front tyres be returned to the manufacturer. It would have to be something within the manufacturer’s control (a manufacturing element). The obvious response is: four tyres were fitted, & you complain of the two on the front – take a harder look at the car. What’s the probability of a manufacturing fault in all the tyres from that manufacturing batch being two fitted on the front of this car?

141130Z