(T) Abarth Engine Probs. I Need Advice!!!!

Yesterday my abarth sounded and felt so bad that I took it to a local tech who ran a diag on it. He reported that cylinder 2 and 5 where faulty he was concerned when I told him it had its 24k service 5mths ago so he took out all the plugs and found 2 in bad order but 5 was coverd in oil, which he said had been like that for a considerable time,(reckons plugs were not changed for a least 20k) My concern know how much damage has been done and of having to cope with crap from fiatuk.
I have very little mechanical knowledge so I really need any help and info from you guys so that I can go to the dealer on Monday looking like I know my stuff!
Has any one else had this prob?
also the selespeed refuses to go into reverse at times, can take 5 attempts

thanks shae
abarth selespeed

The plugs are iridium type I think so should only be replaced at 36000 miles! As for n.o5 being covered in oil I would get that looked at straight away mate. When cold the clutch doesn't engage properly it does it on mine occasionally, don't think it's anything to worry about I'm sure someone will be able to give you more details on it though.

Hi Shae,

Not exactly sure of the service intervals over there, but here it is every 20,000 Km. I am guessing that it is every 12,000 miles for you guys... which would make the 24k service you are referring to the second service(?)
If this was your second service, it would mean that the spark plugs should have been replaced. You should have received a print-out of all jobs done during the service... have a look at this and see if it says anything about spark plug replacement.
One question though... how many miles does your car have on it at the moment? If the car hasn't done much mileage in the last 5 months, you could try going back to the guys who serviced your car or the spark plug manufacturer and ask for a replacement due to it being faulty.
As for the spark plug covered in oil... that could be bad / or nothing to worry about. Do you know if the mechanic did a compression test on the cylinders? If the compression of cylinder 5 is lower than cylinder 1, 2, 3, or 4... then it could be that either a gasket has gone, or the oil ring on the piston has gone... all of this should be covered under warrantee, depending on the age of your car.
Unfortunately I can't help you out on the selespeed gearbox, but maybe one of the other guys who own selespeeds can comment.

cheers,
Slo

Ben, according to the service schedules, the plugs are replaced every 40,000km. Which would be roughly 24,000 odd miles.
Unless it differs up north

That's just a guideline. Iridium plugs last a lot longer than that.

Yeah, I agree... but if the plugs were replaced at 24k... they should definately not be failing, and shae should be able to get them replaced for free.

That's just it though, he said the tech guy reckons they weren't replaced.

Thanks for comments, the abarth haD 32k when engine failed!

I would take it to the same garage who serviced it and let them draw their own (hopefully same) conclusions. You can then say "well you guys serviced it and of course you must have done it properly?" at which point they will either have to come clean (unlikely) or fix all of the issues.

If they don't come to the same conclusion you can then say well i've had it checked and these are the findings - why don't they concur with yours?

cmc