Hi

Im getting a strange noise from my 1.9jtd multipla, i noticed it last week on my firs ttime towing a caravan.

Its a similar sound to petrol engine that 'pinks' its when its at the lower end of the rev range up to about 3k revs id say. If i slow down in 5th and hold the car under braking with the clutch up its very evident. Its almost when the engine goes 'slack'

Any ideas in where i should start to look, or anyone had a similar thing? I know the clutch on these things is made of fudge but could it be related to that?

Not heard of this noise, check the serpentine belt, one of the pulleys is two outer rims separated by a rubber centre. The centre can perish causing problems.

Thanks momoe, i ll get the garage to start with that.

Garage checked it out and found plenty of other things wrong. The noise is coming from the gearbox and he supsects its the clutch springs making the noise. I will book it in for that next week.

He ended up changing the front bottom arms as the bushes were shot, disapponting on a car with only 50k on the clock, it also knocked out the 2 new front tyres i put on last july. One thing i have noticed with the Fiat is the inability for the parts to last very long. I have had a new rear exhaust, rear brakes, front discs and pads, cambelt kit and handbrakes cables all on a car with 50k on the clock and 6 years old. Its the newest car i have owned and so far cost me the most money on keeping it running so far!

Another thing about the Multipla is the lack of granularity when it comes to parts, bushes are shot, can't buy replacement bushes (from Fiat anyway) but they will supply a new arm, same with the front ARB, bushes shot, new ARB.
Parts aren't ridiculously expensive but as you say they do wear out, front arms are annoying as I've had mine replaced recently and like you it cost me a pair of tyres as well, although the car now feels tight again.
Exhaust is unusual, I'm on my second Multi and original exhaust on my first which was sold at 93k, same with the 'new' one which is 65k and looking solid.
Front discs don't last much more than 40k, general opinion is the pad material is very abrasive.
Most cambelts are max 5 years so this would have needed doing anyway,
Clutch is ok for normal use (115 engine) but if you're regularly towing a van, get an upgraded clutch for peace of mind.
I'd also factor in the cost of a crank sensor, these start going after about 60k.

Find yourself a good independent, it's not like a BMW that needs a specialist tool or diagnostic for everything. JTD engines are well known for their longevity with decent servicing, Multi's are hard on suspension components and brakes, probably down to Brava/Bravo ancestry.

Dunno about Multi's being particularly heavy on brakes. 114,000 miles and I'm still on the original discs and second set of pads. MoT's due in September, so it might need new ones then though...

I'm gobsmacked, I've got new ones put on at 43k (just before I got the car) and I don't think they'll make 90k.
I thought I drove economically and used the brake sparingly, no point in converting all that energy into heat unnecessarily. However, you must roll to a stop or find all the upslopes ;-)

Mmm. I did get an advisory for front disks at the last MoT, so I'm sure to need replacements about now!

About 30 thousand miles ago I bought a set of front pads thinking they'd probably need changing, but they were fine, so the new ones will go on with the replacement discs in a month or so.

I'm not heavy on brakes or clutches despite towing a caravan. My last Multi got t-boned at 90,000 odd miles and was on the original clutch and discs. And touch wood, the only problem I've had with either of them was the crank sensor last summer.

Apart from front springs of course!

Thanks for the info guys, it was booked in for the clutch tomorrow but as its a friends garage he has had to reschedule it.

Which uprated clutch would anyone recommend?

Zundapp, what sort of mileage do you get towing your van?

Your car will most likely have a Dual Mass Flywheel... at least get that properly checked out, otherwise change it at the same time as the clutch, you dont want to have the whole job done again in a short while....

scottley said:

Which uprated clutch would anyone recommend?

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I'm replaced my clutch a few weeks back, with a Sachs Performance clutch. The disc is the same as original, but the pressure plate is harder. I can't feel much difference in the pedal, but it bites much faster when it starts to grip. I never stalled the car before the clutch-job, but that has happened several times after. I like the clutch, and I'm curious to see how it handles some extra power, as my old one really didn't handle it.

scottley said:

Zundapp, what sort of mileage do you get towing your van?

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I don't pay a lot of attention to fuel consumption - I either need diesel or I don't... However I'd guesstimate around 43 - 45 mpg towing and not much difference solo.

scottley said:

Which uprated clutch would anyone recommend?

Click to expand...

CG Motorsports (google brings them up) do a 'fast road' clutch kit which sounds very much like Unclechuchus. The friction plate is not uprated, but the fingers of the pressure plate are stronger than standard. I spoke to them at some length before I bought one - they keep lots of stock Valeo components and can build up a clutch to suit just about any application with a bit of mix and match. They said they do this a lot for the kit car fraternity. They were very helpful people.

Anyway, mine seems to have been fine. No noticable increase in clutch pedal effort. I think the kit was around £150 inc. VAT and delivery.

Right first off the towing mileage would be excellent if i got the same as you Zundapp but the OBC reads 22mpg when towing my caravan and 25mpg if i slow down to 56mph and tuck in behind a lorry

Secondly, the car is in the garage as we speak having the clutch AND the dual mass flywheel changed. The play in it is ridiculous, there is about 2 teeths worht or movement. Shocking for a car with 53k on the clock! Also more spend on a car thats relatively young (05)

I have made my mind up now to definitely get rid once i sell the house! Im fed up with spending my money on a car with parts made from cotton wool and fudge.

Thanks for all your help people

The unpleasant fact that the car needs a new clutch at only 53k indicated miles, makes me think it's either had a very hard life with a previous owner or the mileage has been doctored.

If I was only getting the mpg you're suffering with, the car would have been moved on a long time ago! This is my second diesel Multi, both showing pretty much the same fuel consumption, and neither have needed a DMF at clutch time, (around the 90k plus mark).

When i changed my clutch i did the dmf as i didnt want it all out of the car to find the dmf needed replacing but to be honest the play i thought was quite a bit was the same as the new one , why not if your mate is doing the job just weld the dmf up to make a solid one job done.
Since i did mine i spoken to a guy who does it on taxi's and hasnt had a problem.
But reading through your posts i too thought your mileage had been clocked, try unpluging your airflow meter and seeing if there is any change , mine is shot but doesnt bring the fault light on , when unplugged its much more torquey.

Thanks for the input guys, im not worried about the mileage as i have the documents to support it all and it is in immaculate condition so there are no tell tale signs of higher mileage.

I did consider the conversion to normal flywheel but only thought about the welding option in the last day or so.

The towing mileage has improved as i thought the MPG readout was constant not on the journey itself, all that considered though its still only on 24mpg. Its quite a big caravan and not far off the limits of the car but i can still pull it as 72mph if i really try on the flat.

However i now have the same noise occuring from when i bough the car. It was like a belt slipping but its actually from the turbo wastegate. The dealer took it back under warratny and sorted it when i first bought it, they said they stripped the actuator, cleaned it and put it back, at least thats what they told me. Its gotta go into the garage this week as we are supposed to be off to France next Sunday :/