Hi Very new to Forum, an to Fiat cars (and cars in general)! But need some advise. Hope you can help


Two weeks ago I bought my first car - passed driving test on first attempt two months ago :slayer: And I went for a diesel Stilo (2003 Reg). Always liked the look of them. And I have to say, I really enjoy driving it. Love it in fact! So comfy and feels incredibly safe. Metalic black, with leather interiors etc. Nice little first time car.

Anyway… Not being very knowledged on cars, I got the showroom to put it through the MOT for me and also tax it. It looked in very good condition, and all I had to do was drive it away. But I wanted to be 100% sure it was going to be road worthy and last me a while.

But now I need some advice on a few matters, because the Showroom after-sales staff have been incredibly useless ever since (no surprise there). And I even had to tell the mechanics what the Anti-pinch Sensors were! Can you believe it. The after-sales service is appaling! Even though I’ve paid for a three year extended warranty.

Anyway, the MOT certificate came back dated 27th July 2012 - with a pass tested result, but three advisory notices as follows:

001
Nearside Rear Sub-frame synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

002
Offside Rear Sub-frame synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

03
Back Box deteriorated


Can someone explain these to me and if there are major issues? And approximate cost to repair/address. I think third is in relation to the exhaust – but being a new motorist, I want to make sure. The after-sales service is appaling! Even though I’ve paid for a three year extended warranty.

Also I just wanted to ask one final question. The suspension feels very inflexible and when I go over a speed bump or hit a pothole – even as low as 20 – 30 MPH the left anti-pinch sensor goes off as warning failure on dashboard (in reference to electric windows).

I took it back to the showroom within a week of purchase, to address this, and also an airbag failure. After a long argument, they caved in and addressed the errors :bang: And the on-site mechanics stated they fixed this. Airbag now seems rectified. But I still intermently see the left anit-pinch sensor failure warning. Is this normal in Stilos? I’ve been told it is, due ot the style of suspension they have, when you go over a 'bump' and admittedly it does seem to rectify itself after driving on a smooth flat road for a short period of time. Show I be worried?

Any advise would be most welcome! Happy motoring!

Thanks!

Hi.

Welcome to the Fiat Forum.

The back suspension bushes are basically large pieces of rubber that help the wheel go smoothly up and down. They do wear and are an MOT failure in the UK, but if you don't get excessive play then I guess you're good to go until, well, you actually fail the MOT.

It can be a pain in the cheek to fix, and a garage would take a lot of money for it. We've got Shadeyman on the forum who's had some experience fixing these. I'm not from the UK and don't know how close your locations are, but if it's worth while, why not. Nevertheless, I would say for a car of it's age it's normal for the bushes to have a little play and it's not really a safety hazard. The suspension on the Stilo is pretty hard, and you can feel it even harder with 16 or 17 inch wheels on, so unless you're not complaining of that, please give us more details about the issue.

Here's a whole video of the bush so you know what exactly this is. It's not from a Stilo though, so don't try to spot the similarities.



The back box is the end exhaust which they say is deteriorated. That usually happens after a while but the box is double plated so as the first layer goes off you still have your second reasonably thick one which can last up to 4 years and counting (my father's 1.8 had this issue when bought, still the exhaust is fine).

Anti pinch sensor failure is not at all common with the Stilo's. Try pulling down the window and whacking the heck out of the sensor with your hand. If you still have issues, remove battery terminals for 20 minutes or so, check again. Still not solved? Consider improper contact in the sensor or severe exposure to damp or rain, meaning it will either go away once it's dry or you'll have to remove and clean it. The fault is intermittent, so whacking it may solve the issue. Not too hard to damage it though.

Again, welcome to the forum, feel free to browse using the search bar and any pictures of the car are welcome.

Cheers.

Hi hope the sales people you got car from do not put you off the motor

The exhaust you can have a look under at yourself..if could just be the outer heat shield falling apart if so then I was like yourself thinking on replacement but took to local exhaust shop and they just cut the out heat shield off so no sharp edges and been like that now for 2 years and still pretty solid..if you do have to repace exhaust box at a fitting centre you be looking around £100 but could half it if fitted yourself..
As other post rear bush's are wear and tear item on stilo they are a rubber oil filled axle bush mine have just gone so be tackling that in near future just getting pennies for a hydraulic puller there is an excellent thread on here if you do search which will give you didea of what is involved but as you have said your not too handy with spanners be a little expense to get done as is the labour involved not the actual cost of the part..as previous post said there is an expert on the rear stilo bush's and plenty oif others to point you in right direction..no idea of the anti pinch sensor ..

Hey

Sorry for delayed reply. Been so busy lately.

But thanks for all the advice and the video - although I really had no idea what they were doing - I'm not very mechanical!

As neither appeared major issues, I'll get them rechecked again before the winter/Mid December to make sure all is still OK. And if so, just get both replaced at a garage before the MOT renewal in July 2013.

As for the anti-pincher sensor (front left) it's still intermittently going off when I go over bumps - but eventually sorts itself out and the window still goes up/down. So not going to stress over that to much.

Thanks for the advice on the suspension. As it's natrually harden in the Stilo, and my car does has 17" alloy wheels, it's not surprising then I feel every small bump in the road.

On the plus side - still loving driving it! It feels really safe
Someone asked for pics, and I've a few, but can't seem to get them uploaded :bang:

I'll try again..........

The pics

awwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaww.:yum:

Take care of that car mate, it's one fine example of a Stilo. Those wheels are very very rare.

Noisy Stilo... You find the Same Problem?

Hi

I was wondering if anyone can give me a little advice on a issue that's recently came to my attention on my Stilo. It's a 1.9 JTD 3dr Diesel. It's an older model car (2003 reg) but is in very very good condition (both under the bonnet, interior and exterior of car) I bought it as third owner from a showroom. It passed the MOT in July 2012 with flying colours. I've owned it from late August 2012.

It's always been a little loud, as I expected it would, being a old car and a diesel engine. It does like to 'roar' and me. And is especially loud in the mornings until the engine warms up. It occasional gave of smoke when accelerating, so I put through a Redex product full system cleaner which really seemed to help.

But over the last few days I've noticed that the roaring/rumbling sound is coming from the back of the car. It is especially worst when at a stand still - such as traffic lights, or in very low gear just moving off. But once I'm driving it's fine!

Also, there doesn't seem to be anything lose, or wrong with it. It still drives a dream, and no warning lights come on. In fact the Service Warning System identification on dashboard states everything is fine with it.

Should I be worried? Or is this noise usual in a diesel (and old 2003 reg) car - even though it looks in great condition?

Any advice welcomed. Does anyone else experience this?

Dom.

Hi

I was wondering if anyone can give me a little more advice on a issue that's recently came to my attention on my Stilo. As stated above, it's a 1.9 JTD 3dr Diesel. It's an older model car (2003 reg) but is in very very good condition (both under the bonnet, interior and exterior of car) I bought it as third owner from a showroom. It passed the MOT in July 2012 with flying colours. I've owned it from late August 2012.

It's always been a little loud, as I expected it would, being a old car and a diesel engine. It does like to 'roar' and me. And is especially loud in the mornings until the engine warms up. It occasional gave of smoke when accelerating, so I put through a Redex product full system cleaner which really seemed to help.

But over the last few days I've noticed that the roaring/rumbling sound is coming from the back of the car. It is especially worst when at a stand still - such as traffic lights, or in very low gear just moving off. But once I'm driving it's fine!

Also, there doesn't seem to be anything lose, or wrong with it. It still drives a dream, and no warning lights come on. In fact the Service Warning System identification on dashboard states everything is fine with it.

Should I be worried? Or is this noise usual in a diesel (and old 2003 reg) car - even though it looks in great condition?

Any advice welcomed. Does anyone else experience this?

Dom.

Only engine related noise coming from the back of the car is likely be exhaust noise. Check it for leaks

Re: Noisy Stilo... You find the Same Problem?

I would be very surprised if it's nothing more than a holed silencer. Get under the car so you can reach all around the silencer, then put one hand over the end of the exhaust while feeling around for blowing warm air with the other. Even if you can't see the leak your ears will direct you towards it, then your hand will tell you the rest.

Re: Noisy Stilo... You find the Same Problem?

Not sure if you've done anything about the Rear Bushes , but Shadeyman is only round the corner from you nr Wolverhampton so I'd definite see him about them

In fact i'm seeing him regarding mine this weekend

Looking forward to driving my baby without any clonking at the rear

@ SharkeyTaylor

How'd your visit go with Bushes and Shadyman? Was it well priced? Did he sort the issuses out for you?

Dom.

stu is a lovely lad even if a little intimidating... knows his onions with the JTDs too. he wont rip you off but he also wont do shoddy, quick-fix work!