(T) Fuel Breather Pipe

Having taken my car in to have two niggles sorted out (more about that below) I was informed that I have a crack in the fuel breather pipe - I knew about this already as my friend's KA has had a similar problem - they have to order from Italy and it could take weeks! In the meantime I am to drive round with the window open and the heater fan not on soas not to breathe in fumes. Just a heads up for you all really so you know that this is a possible problem with the 500.

The two things I needed sorting out were not done however! I have, and have had for some time, the ticking heater fan. However, true to form, when they had the car the heater didn't tick and so they won't replace it. I have told them it only does it when the car has been moving for about 5 minutes but their only response was that if it happens next time I bring the car in I need to keep the engine running so that they can hear it - no mean feat with a 4 year old in the car (suggestions I have are to ring from the car and ask them to pop out whilst waving frantically at them through the window!). They said however that if they continue to fail to hear it then can't replace. Have told them that I don't really want a new heater fan in my life so why would I be bringing in for that fault if it weren't true but to no avail. Have resigned myself to the fact that once warranty expires I shall have to fork out for a new heater fan - surely that can't be right!

The other thing were the parking sensors (oh how i now wish i hadn't bothered with them). They intermittently stay on a permanent tone when put the car in reverse. However, once again, did not do it whilst at garage and nothing can be done. They did comment that they seem to be over-sensitive but nothing can be done about it. Anyone know if the parking sensors are on their own fuse and if so, is it easy to remove?

Moan over - the heating fan is the one thing really getting me down though. Good job can't have it on at the moment due to the smell because i'm close to hitting said fan with a sledge hammer due to the noise!

my car is a year old this week and i am on my 2nd breather pipe and its going in for its 1st service saturday and is having another one fitted as its split again

Couldn't they at least have bound the pipe up with tape as a temporary measure? Also, it seems strange that although this seems to be a common fault parts still need to be ordered from Italy.


I'm getting mine looked at when it goes in for it's service in May but as mine is also intermittent I am not expecting anything to be done, lol.


Touch wood I haven't had any problems with mine as yet.


Mind you, the garage we are talking about also quoted me £462.50 for it's second annual service, saying it needed the 36000 mile service, even though it has only covered 13000 odd miles. I rang the dealer I purchased the car from and he said it only required an 18000 mile service. When I asked him to quote for the 36000 mile service he said he said it would be about £360 but as I was coming from Bournemouth he would only charge me £300.

The sister garage of the one we are talking about also said it only needed the 18000 mile service and quoted £256.46.

Maybe this is why our dealer only has a ** rating (that's two stars in case anyone was trying to think of a swear word with 2 letters, lol.)

What mileage has it done?

Heidi or Mark, when you have your oil breather pipes replaced are you able to ask how much a spare one would cost? If it's not all that much it's certainly the sort of thing I'd consider buying as a spare so as not to have to wait a stupid amount of time to get one in.....

Does make you wonder why this part has not been modified though, but then again think of the 8 year old crap design on the washer jets.

Some (silly) people will claim that it's all part of the charm of owning an Italian car, personally I think it's just bloody sloppy

I priced some up the other day. the larger of the pipes is £8.00+vat and the smaller of the pipes is an astonishing £25.00+vat To note these are not exact prices... but very close

Which is the pipe that cracks though?

I think you mean the cam cover breather hose (before anyone starts panicking about fuel leaks). You smell oil/petrol fumes because that's what's circulating around inside the crankcase.

We found this was a common issue ages ago, and keep at least 10 in stock at a time as they're used across various models in the Fiat range.

Fiat Technical are aware of the cause, and the parts are being modified as we speak (which may explain why production of the current pipe has slowed/halted). Same thing with the washer jets and a possible fix for heater fans squeaking from new.

Both.

Though the cheaper one is usually the first to go.

As above... its both breather pipes that go, but generally you find the cheaper larger one goes first.

And as stated above most dealers keep a reasonable stock of these.

Good ole Fiat

Sounds like there's little point in keeping a spare if they're upgrading the part

Are the washers really being redone? If so that is good because come autumn/winter the forum will be full of people complaining about the washers

Apparently so- they finally believe we're telling them the truth (that they're failing because they're crap, not because people are moving them too far up/down).

Good ole Fiat

Heidi, It took me three visits to get the fan replaced. Mine was mainly when it was cold in the morning. It finally did it when I left it there over night (it was in for other work) The dealer eventually agreed to replace and the part arrived in today (took a few weeks) Just be persistant, I know its annoying but from there point of view I suppose they need to see the fault.

Touch wood our breather pipe has been ok for 15months now!! It's about time they sorted it and the washers. Problem is I'll be out of warrenty by the time they do.