Here it is as last: Some common faults with the 244 model that I have experienced.
Disclaimer: Please be safe when checking for faults on your vehicle, high voltages are utilised
in both modern petrol and diesel systems which can cause electric shocks and could be fatal.
Diesel fuel is also very poisonous and given the astronomically high pressure used in common rail
diesel systems, accidental ingestion or injection of fuel into the human body can cause death.
if in any doubt, please refer your vehicle to a specialist.
Please chock and make sure the vehicle is in gear with the handbrake full on before venturing underneath,
remembering that a Fiat Ducato is heavier than most domestic workshop jacks and axle ramps can take.
Please be responsible, for your own safety and make sure somebody nearby knows your are working on the vehicle
and will keep an eye out in case of an accident.
Problem: Fuel gauge jumps erratically to past the Full position and drops back
to the level of Fuel in the van,only to jump back again to the above Full position
Cause.Damp/wetness on fuel sender connections on top of the tank. Caused by
dampness when laid up or driving the nearside wheel through a flood or puddle.
Remedy: I've proved this time and again, this will dry out and as soon as it is dried,
just driving is enough to dry it out.
Problem: Tramping and jumping during fast cornering.
Cause. Faulty shock absorber. Hard to check the normal way due to the stiffness of the
Ducatos' suspension, but leaking on the strut concerned by looking underneath the wheelarch
is good enough diagnosis
Remedy: Replacement. It is permissible to change the one concerned if the failed one is due
to kerbing or parking ( ie delivery vehicles).
Problem: Vehicle pulls to left after steering being on LH lock, and pulling right after being
on RH steering lock.
Cause. Aluminium Thrust bearings on top of suspension struts have failed. This puts the suspension
geometry under strain and steering will not self-centre after performing a turn. Almost certainly caused
by excessive kerbing.
Remedy: It's a take the strut out job and replace the thrust bearing pads at the top.
Problem: Excessive vibration on uphill reverse manouevres (2.8JTD other models may also be affected)
Also can be diagnosed when idling with the vehicle facing downhill, blipping the throttle
causes cab to judder.
Cause. Rear engine mounting worn.
Remedy: Replace the mounting.
Problem: Difficulty shifting gears, coupled with roaring vibration unless you hold the gear lever.
Cause. Gearshift cable mounting to gearbox loose.
Remedy: Get under the vehicle and follow the cables down from the gear lever towards the gearbox.
There will be a mounting held on by locknuts: If these are loose, they need tightening.
Tighten fully, then undo by one turn, otherwise 1st gear selection will be difficult!
Problem: Rough running and power down (2.8JTD), sounds like only three cylinders operating.
Cause: Possibly broken/damaged electrical wiring to No4 injector.
Remedy: Can usually be diagnosed by wiggling the wire slightly, which may improve running. Please be aware
of possibility of electric shock, so inspect wiring first prior to touching it! I would entrust
any work like this to a reputable fuel injection specialist.
Problem: Glow plug light flashes momentarily after starting in sub-zero temperatures (2.8JTD)
Cause. This is not a fault, this is the post heating system.
Remedy: None, it will stop as soon as the engine dictates that it's warm enough.
Problem: Graunching noise changing into 4th gear.
Cause. Worn syncromesh on 4th gear.
Remedy: New gearbox, although double de-clutching when changing either up or down into 4th gear will stop
the graunching. I've covered nearly 50,000 miles with this issue, by using the double de-clutching method.
Problem: Engine races under acceleration in 4th and 5th gear, and then drops back to normal level.
Cause. Clutch Failure.
Remedy: Obviously replacement, but ours did nearly 30,000 miles of driving before we actually decided to get it replaced! So failure may not be imminent!!!
I hope this guide is of some use. I've now covered 149,000 miles in my Ducato, it is a delivery vehicle, stop-start multi-drop driving, carrying heavy loads. it is used 6 days a week and typically covers 500 miles a week.
The Ducato is a very tough vehicle, and in normal use, shouldn't have a lot go wrong with it apart from needing normal maintenance.
if you, John CS, could follow through with this. I have had no problems at all with my 244 Maxi 2.8JTD, but forewarned is forearmed.:worship:
