Just had my little 100hp serviced at Fiat dealer as it clocked 24k miles so 2nd major service. Noticed that when cold it sounds like tumble dryer that's running on diesel rather than electric motor....

Once warmed up (10-20 mins) it starts to sound like the old self.

Read up on this, apparently something to do with oil that my dealer might have used? Is that true?

What should I do?

Possibly. What oil did they use? Have you contacted them since?

I've asked them before servicing about the oil as I still have 7 liters of my own selenia 20k oil, but they said that the same oil they use to. I doubt very much that thats the oil they used as I neva had this problem with 20k before. Mentioned Oil to them as I wanted a proper service and not some shady look over, thats why I asked which spark plugs they gonna use as well and after hearing their option I said I'd bring my own new Denso plugs.

Plugs used are NGK which are OEM so should be an issue. What grade is the oil used? 20k is just a brand of selenia iirc.

I ll pop in after work tomorrow and ask which oil they've used, let u know

Hi demi,

Got the same 100HP as you and pretty much had the same problem since the cold snap started sounds like the bottom end is about to fall out for about the first 2-3min of start up until the revs drop to normal idle and then it goes.
Run 20k also which now please no one quote me on this I think is a thin oil best for new engines (think its a 5/40), I remember on my Lancia tended to run HPX which was abit thicker and helped with start up wear.
If thats 2 of us having the same problem and the only thing to of changed for me is the weather I'm just putting the start up noises down to that!

Went to Fiat today, asked them which grade of oil they used when servicing my car. It was 10w40, no idea if its too thick and would be the cause of the badly sounding starts or not. Like this morning for example was -6 and it sounded horrible. But coming home at half 4 with +3 temperature it sounded like that old self.

I raised this issue with fiat at the last service almost a year ago and I was told it sounded normal. Still runs perfectly fine but has started again a bit due to the cold. The wife's old seicento did the same. Fine by the time I get half a mile down the road. They put in 5w40 at the service.

Sounds like cold weather related then!

i had this when i first got my panda with 38k on the clock

i use 0w40 mobil oil now and its as sweet as a nut starting...even with all the snow we had lately. get good MPG and no black smog etc

16v super fire engines should be running on Selenia WR 5w/40 or better not 20k and not a thinner 0w40 oil

dave said:

16v super fire engines should be running on Selenia WR 5w/40 or better not 20k and not a thinner 0w40 oil

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Whats better than Selenia WR then? I wouldn't mind running my car on best of the best. Normally it pays off in the long run.

5w40 is what should be used.

for best cold start protection you should use 0w40.

do not use 10w40.

beau said:

5w40 is what should be used.

for best cold start protection you should use 0w40.

do not use 10w40.

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I disagree, been using 10w40 without issue for nearly 4 years now, and dont get any funny noises also. Engines still running sweet without any concerns having done 70k in that period.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I disagree, been using 10w40 without issue for nearly 4 years now, and dont get any funny noises also. Engines still running sweet without any concerns having done 70k in that period.

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maybe it depends on if it has the cam variator?

i know that with the mk1 fiat punto 1.2 16v, people used to complain about cold engine tapping when cold, and it always turned out they were using 10w40, once 5w40 was put in, it was gone.

and it wouldnt cause any noticeable engine problems using 10w40, still work ok.

beau said:

maybe it depends on if it has the cam variator?

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They don't, only the later starjet engines fitted to GPs have VVT.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

They don't, only the later starjet engines fitted to GPs have VVT.

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iv seen 100hp's with it

but anyway, try 5w40 or 0w40 and im sure the noise will go away

beau said:

iv seen 100hp's with it

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Not sure why, all had the same 1.4 16v 98/99bhp engine fitted when leaving the factory. Not a mod someone had done