Hi guys

I've had a very strange little day (must be because its Hallowe'en) with my 500 today. first as soon as I turned the key in the ignition I was greeted with the flashing mileage, then after turning the ignition off to reset the mileage problem (and waiting for all the pumps, lights and start-up tricks to stop, as suggested on here) I turned the key to start the engine and it wouldn't start.

On the third attempt it started but I had a cloud of blue smoke spewed out of the exhaust!

I've only covered 670 miles since 25th September, when new, and am quite concerned.
Obviously if it fails to start again I'll get it sorted by Fiat, but could this be linked to the flashing mileage, i.e. immobiliser confused by the apparent software problem, and was the blue smoke unburned fuel or oil?

Just the round the day off I stopped off to get fuel and duly removed the fuel cap and attached it to the holder of the flap and noticed that the retaining strap had come away from the body!

The little thing is now resting after a bad day and so am I!

Any ideas guys?

Steve

Get it checked out, even if nothing is wrong you will feel more at ease.

I agree, will put your mind at rest if u get it checked.

Sounds to me like overfuelling on initial start up
Then second start has cleared out the fuel left after initial start coupled with more fuel from the second start,

Fingers crossed thats all it is !!!

Similar topic but not quite the same but I'm finding my little oyster is not starting first time in this cold weather. Anyone else?

Mine is starting fine, but the cold is making my gearbox very tight for the first few changes.

Check the oil level, just to make sure none has gone anywhere.

You didn't try and start it with your foot on the accelerator did you?

Cheers

PD

rallycinq said:

Check the oil level, just to make sure none has gone anywhere.

You didn't try and start it with your foot on the accelerator did you?

Cheers

PD

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Hi, thanks for all the replies.

I didn't put my foot on the accelerator when I cranked the engine, however it spluttered into action so I touch the throttle slightly and that's when there was a puff of smoke. Would that create smoke? Concerned this is an oil problem

Will check the oil level today and just for the record its started fine since.

Heidi, I would probably say that your car not starting first time isn't right. I was shocked that mine failed to start, but if yours does it everytime its cold I would say that there is a problem. Maybe worth a vsit to your dealer.

Steve

Just to update:

Checked the oil and its 3/4 full. It hadn't moved at all last week when checked so it has used some. I assume this is just normal, as already mentioned elsewhere on the forum?

Its started without trouble today and has been as normal. Just over fueling then?

Steve

Heidi said:

Similar topic but not quite the same but I'm finding my little oyster is not starting first time in this cold weather. Anyone else?

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Mines doing the same

Jodie Lee said:

Mines doing the same

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me too it has been realy cold overnight lateley though and my car doesn't go in the garage so i'm putting it down to the oil being so cold in a morning

What`s the starting procedure for the petrol engines? Is it wait for the lights to go out - turn the key and no throttle?

white 500 said:

me too it has been realy cold overnight lateley though and my car doesn't go in the garage so i'm putting it down to the oil being so cold in a morning

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Well its been below zero here overnight and mine has started 1st time every morning.
It is not garaged either its just on the street.

white 500 said:

me too it has been realy cold overnight lateley though and my car doesn't go in the garage so i'm putting it down to the oil being so cold in a morning

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I'm really quite shocked that at least three people on here seem to have a problem with their petrol not starting on cold mornings. Luckily it seems that mine was a blip but if you guys are having problems starting cold you need to speak to your dealer.

It's not really acceptable for a new car not to start because its cold. There are owners on here from Norway, so I'm pretty sure the 500 can cope with cold climates. Plus there's nothing to warm-up like a diesel, the fuel won't be freezing and I wouldn't imagine its cold enough to dramatically alter the viscosity of the oil, so there's no reason it should fire first time.

Perhaps they're getting damp? Seriously though, and this goes for me too if it happens again, get it checked out guys.

Steve

oilrag said:

What`s the starting procedure for the petrol engines? Is it wait for the lights to go out - turn the key and no throttle?

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The dealer recommended that you depress the clutch when starting, i'm sure that's what is says in the manual also, hope it helps

Ditto Red Fred, I have always depressed my clutch on starting as I did for ten years in my Punto GT as that's what it said in the manual. Not sure if this is the same for the 500 but old habits die hard. I also wait for all the lights to finish before starting the engine.

My 500 starts but is garaged, hope yours are all okay

Ive always depressed the clutch when starting any cars Ive owned. Makes it easier for the engine to turn over as far as I know, Im sure someone can explain it much better than that tho!

As above leave in neutral depress clutch ,wait for all warning lights to go out (i also turn the headlights off until its started) then turn the key ,mine has started 1st time like Brians everytime and its left outside every night,all the above is less strain on the battery especially in cold weather

OK will start treating my car like a diesel and waiting for the lights to go out first and see what happens. Thanks for tips.

i have been using the "lights out" way of starting for the past couple of days and its been fine, i wonder if the engine needs a little prime first as the fuel pump can be heard before the lights go out, or the car just needs a second to get the auto choke going. its starting fine now thanks everyone