Hi to all,
I'm considering buying a 2006 fiat doblo 1.4 petrol with 5 seats.
My only issue is, I know very little about the petrol engine.
The earlier 1.2 engine is regarded as a very solid engine with very little to wrong with them. Is the 1.4 version every bit as good?
Is the 1.4 regarded as a FIRE engine?
This car has 80k miles on it and no timing belt change done yet.
Is it safe to say its overdue......I suspect it is. If a change is needed, will I need timing locking tools at all. I don't know at all, do they come with 8 or 16 valves?
If it is 8 valve, would I need timing locking tools? Are there common faults associated with this petrol engine that I must check before considering buying.
As you can see from my thread, I know very little about the details of this engine, and maybe with some help from you all, I'll be in a better place to make an informed choice of which road to take.
I've had in the past fiat such as the tempra (a bullet) marea 1.6, and have as camper a Fiat ducato '92 straight diesel, and still going strong.
Last question, does anyone know where I could get my hands on a workshop maual for the petrol and diesel dolblos, as two family members have the 1.3 multijet versions.
Thanks for looking, and I hope you can help me out.
John.

The 1.4 will either be a FIRE (8V) or a SuperFIRE (16v).

Both very good engines tbh

Some info

http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/2005/fiat/doblo/engines.html
http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/2005/fiat/doblo/tech_spec_cargo.html


1.4 engine very good high compression, big valves high swirl, fly by wire throttle, gear ratios a bit low unfortunately as it makes motorways high revving.
Definitely overdue cambelt change, can't comment on timing locks as I left it to the dealer.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

The 1.4 will either be a FIRE (8V) or a SuperFIRE (16v).

Both very good engines tbh

Click to expand...

Hi,
Thanks a million for your reply, and your opinion of the 1.4 petrol engine. Its nice to know that they a good engine, and this information makes my decision alot easier.
Thank you so much.

John.

johnhififan said:

Some info

http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/2005/fiat/doblo/engines.html
http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/2005/fiat/doblo/tech_spec_cargo.html


1.4 engine very good high compression, big valves high swirl, fly by wire throttle, gear ratios a bit low unfortunately as it makes motorways high revving.
Definitely overdue cambelt change, can't comment on timing locks as I left it to the dealer.

Click to expand...

Hi johnhififan,
Thanks so much for the links in your thread. Definitly very useful information, and eases my mind an awlful lot now. Its nice to have useful and constructive advise from people that know. You what they say,.............you're never too old to learn.
I didn't realise they came with hydraulic tappets, so must make sure that the correct engine oil is used.
Thanks a mill johnhififan for your help.

John.

I have recently changed a 1.4 8v Doblo for a 2012 16v Doblo.

Your engine needs a cambelt change at 72k miles or 5 years, so likely overdue. (The cambelt kit comes with a couple of bearings too.) Whoever fits it will then need to do a 'phonic wheel learn'. Do a search on the site and you will find an explanation of how it is done. My local village garage neglected to do this and the engine management light kept coming on. They had it back to fix.

The engine is timed by a tdc sensor adjacent to the crank sprocket. It senses two missing teeth as they pass. It is a 'wasted spark' system with a spark on the exhaust stroke.

I inadvertently put 97 RON petrol in the Doblo. It made a noticeable improvement in the power and sound of the engine. So I have stuck with the better fuel on the new car too.

Brummy Exile said:

I have recently changed a 1.4 8v Doblo for a 2012 16v Doblo.

Your engine needs a cambelt change at 72k miles or 5 years, so likely overdue. (The cambelt kit comes with a couple of bearings too.) Whoever fits it will then need to do a 'phonic wheel learn'. Do a search on the site and you will find an explanation of how it is done. My local village garage neglected to do this and the engine management light kept coming on. They had it back to fix.

The engine is timed by a tdc sensor adjacent to the crank sprocket. It senses two missing teeth as they pass. It is a 'wasted spark' system with a spark on the exhaust stroke.

I inadvertently put 97 RON petrol in the Doblo. It made a noticeable improvement in the power and sound of the engine. So I have stuck with the better fuel on the new car too.

Click to expand...

Hi Brummy Exile,

Sorry for not getting back quicker, the usual...busy. Firstly I'd like to thank you for your very informative post. This is extremely valuable information, considering I do all my own mechanical,electrical and body repairs. Only for this information, and like most or some, I would replace the timing belt myself and follow necessary procedures, and then wonder why the engine management was flashing. Now I see the obvious culprit......electronic timing.....info to the ecu not the same as before. Makes sense, when you think about it. I did look around on the internet for some info on the subject.....................phonic wheel learn. From I've read, there are two options. One, make sure the tensioner is tensioned correctly, resulting in correct timing position...................and NO flashing warning light. Or option TWO, reset the parameters on the ECU. I've read that this is accomplished by the following procedure. Insert key into ignition and turn on ignition without turning engine......for 10 seconds..then turn off ignition for 10 seconds. Repeat this procedure a second time and turn off ignition. Wait 10 seconds and start engine........... and thats it. Apparently this resets the pararmeters of the ECU. I'd like to add at this point, that this information is from the internet...................not from my experience. Maybe others on this site might clarify if this true or not. I've also read an article that said, that if a new timing belt is one tooth out, the outcome is the engine management light may come on, and stands to reason. So, bearing this in mind, would it be safe to say that a smart mechanic could or might reset the ECU ( as previously explained ) even though the timing belt would in theory be one tooth out. Is this possible or not, I honestly do not know. Again maybe some more knowledgeable members could clarify this point. Thanks
I liked your surprise outcome regarding the results you achieved when using 97 RON. Sorry to show my ignorence...................WHAT IS 97 RON!!! I haven't a clue. Could you let me know. Thanks.
I agree with you, as others have noticed that a timing belt change will be a must. Thanks for that info. Can I pester you with 2 question while I'm here. Firstly, I see you replaced your 8v for a later 16v model, could you remember what year the 8v was. And secondly, do I need the timing locking kit to proceed with the timing belt change. I better finish now before I run of place in this post. Thank you ever so much for the valuable information you furnished me with. Ever grateful.
JOHN.

I don't know the technique that you have described but Phonic wheel learn is explained here: https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento/91258-phonic-wheel.html

You may need to clear the ECU first. Maybe revving the engine hard and then tick-over tells the ECU what the range is for advance and retard purposes.

RON is the ‘research octane number; the purity / calorific value of the petroleum spirit. In the United Kingdom 'regular' gasoline has an octane rating of 95 RON, with 97 RON fuel being widely available as the Super Unleaded. Shell UK does a 'nitro' grade of 99RON. I reckon that the manufacturers use 99RON for the power and emissions test.

A local garage does our repairs and servicing, but I think that they had to do an 'engine lock' as part of the process.

Our previous Doblo was a 2008. I downloaded a pdf website from the link at the top of the forum page.

Good luck.

Hi Brummy Exile,
Thanks for your post, and for clearing up afew points regarding the phonic wheel learn concerns I had. Thanks a mill for the link on the subject. I see the downloads are winrar, and couldn't open the file, but I'll get that sorted out ....................I hope.
The information on the 97 RON has opened a new area of info for me, nice to know exactly whats these titles mean. Again thanks for your help. With all this extra help and advice I'm and others are getting we'll be able to do drag starts next.
Also, thanks alot for the info on your previous year of your 8v doblo, and bearing this in mind, I'll assume the 2006 model ( I'm thinking of buying this coming Monday ) will be the 8v version as well. I read somewhere that the 2010 models were the start of the 16v models.
When you've been driving a vintage ( vw beetle 1974 and a vw type 2 westfalia 1974 ) for the 7 years like I have, switching a different vehicle requires alot of research into the pros and cons of that vehicle....................namely the Fiat Doblo.
But I must say the help and advice and tips I've got on this site has been second to none. Extremely helpful and very much to the point.......................Fantastic!!! Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the vw site on vintage vehicles, this site has been a breath of fresh air and very much welcomed, believe me.
Thanks a million Brummy Exile for your contributions and all others that have helped me out with my issues. But know doubt, when I get the Fiat Doblo next Monday, I'll be back here again, picking your brains other misfortunates for more valuable information!!!
On a slightly different note, my father just got back from the NCT Centre ( the uk equivalent of the MOT ), and just failed on front dip bulb and rear number plate bulb..both blown. Great result.
That's it for now Brummy Exile, but as ARNIE says...............I'LL BE BACK !!!
Again, Thanks a million for all your help.
Happy John.