Just asking you folks out there, I have a 1.7 stilo 3 door in yellow, on start up and tick over...are these engines meant to sound like a diesel? Or is there something wrong? Any info would be greatful.thanks.

Mine does this too, i believe it to be tell tell signs of needing a new camshaft variator, i could be wrong but in my research on here (FF) that seems to be the most likely culprit, as far as im aware the variator is to reduce emissions and give a more constant power output. (torque through the rev range)


Also might be due to the strange engine size for a petrol, 1742cc usually diesels that come in 1.7's, thats what i put some of the diesel sound too.

Hope thats of some help.

Thanks limited edition. Tell me are they straight forward to replace or could it cost me a lot of money?

Getting me worried about the diesel in thoses sizes. I know its a petrol thou lol.

Mines the same as yours pretty much, as far as im aware in my research plenty of people have said the variator on the 1.8's goes that way because of the oil not circulating to it on start up, I do not know that for fact just something i read in multiple places.

Also with research the diesel noise is irritating but not a critical fault, infact a common problem with this engine.

Its involves a lot of work as its a partial strip down, it sits in an awkward spot, plus timing belt change would have to be done at the same time, all in all i'd say around £450 for labour and parts, (main part being labour) not a job for a DIY mechanic.

If you do decide to get it changed maintain high levels of oil close to max and check and top up regularly as that will prolong its the variators life.

Stilo sound

Right folks when I start my engine it sounds like a diesel. I have a 1.7 petrol 3 door fiat stilo. Could it be the coils?or something else?

Re: Stilo sound

It'll be a 1.8 you have and if it's sounding like a tapperty diesel then there's a good chance that it's the variator. It's located on the end of the inlet camshaft and it's common for them to fail after a a while giving that clattery sound you hear. 2.4 also suffer from it but not the 1.6 as they don't have them hence why I think you have the 1.8

Re: Stilo sound

I have a 1.7 1745cc. Not a 1.8

Re: Stilo sound

Could this cause damage to the engine?

Re: Stilo sound

Yeah that's what is classed as the 1.8. If it is the variator then it won't cause any terminal damage as such but you'll notice poor running and poor fuel compsumption which may lead to premature valve wear not to mention an annoying noise. How is the running? Have you noticed any drop in performance?

Also have you deleted the original question from the top? It seems to be missing?

No I didn't delete it..don't know why its not there. I haven't noticed any performance drop as such but a judder from going down the gearbox. Like a stall..but its not stalling. That's the only thing really and the noise which sounds like a diesel.

What sort of drop in performance should I expect?

If the variator is working correctly you should get a nice responsive power delivery around the 3000 rpm mark as the variator adjusts the cam inlet so I'ld imagine that if it is bust it would feel flat and gutless at the top end of the rev range

I'm getting that response through all gears gadge. Its pretty nippy. I wanna thankyou for the info you giving me.

No problem bud, not sure what else could cause such a noise then if it's not the variator unless a broken piston ring but that wouldn't be that loud? Perhaps you could post a video?

Yeah I'll try and do that soon.