Technical Serviced my 500 2011 twinair plus yesterday.

[Bookish]

Had a minor issue with a lumpy idle on these cold mornings and the car was due a service (55000 miles) my cheap ODB scanner not picking up any faults. Warning triangle on dash flashing.

Serviced with new iridium plugs, selenia c3 grade oil plus filter, new coil packs. Still lumpy but no warning light now.

The last time this happened it turned out to be a broken clutch pedal and switch! But the symptoms were far worse than they are now.

Battery was replaced last year with a new stop start item.

My thoughts are turning towards a MAF sensor but its not flagging up on the scanner.

Any thoughts chaps/chappesses?

 

[John202020]

Unfortunately you need the right software on your computer and the correct leads to read the cars various computers your hand held won't work at all.

 

[Bookish]

Oh dear, thats what I thought someone would say. Was hoping for a blindingly obvious answer that I'd over looked.

 

[larslarsen]

Since valve control in TA is strongly related to oil viskosity and oil pressure:
Did you use different type of oil (5W40 should be the right one) and oil filter than in the past?

 

[John202020]

I could easily be wrong but did I see the twin air used 0w/30w?

 

[g8rpi]

Oh dear, thats what I thought someone would say. Was hoping for a blindingly obvious answer that I'd over looked.

Have you changed the oil filter (Fiat call it a strainer) in the valve actuator?
I think it's due at 30,000 but often missed.
see
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii...-actuator-oil-filter.html?454649=#post4298715


Robert G8RPI.

 

[Bookish]

Have you changed the oil filter (Fiat call it a strainer) in the valve actuator?
I think it's due at 30,000 but often missed.
see
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii...-actuator-oil-filter.html?454649=#post4298715


Robert G8RPI.

I haven't, would fiat have done this on a previous service? Thats a very good link and I shall read it thoroughly when I get home tonight, thank you.
I'm using selenia K c3 grade 5w 40.

 

[GeoBog]

The last time this happened it turned out to be a broken clutch pedal and switch! But the symptoms were far worse than they are now.

That's exactly what my wife's car has. Car jolts/judders really bad in 1st and 2nd gear like it is about to stall (kangaroo effect as some call it) and it's been in at Fiat for almost 3 weeks and they were unable to find any fault. Thanks to this forum I was able to diagnose the issue myself. How did you fix it? Did you replace the clutch pedal assembly or did you weld the broken linkage back to the pedal body?

 

[Bookish]

Hi, yep had it welded by an independent garage. Fiat couldnt diagnose mine either!

 

[larslarsen]

I could easily be wrong but did I see the twin air used 0w/30w?

The newer ones yes, but not the 2011 models, like my TA plus

 

[Mercky]

Have you changed the oil filter (Fiat call it a strainer) in the valve actuator?
I think it's due at 30,000 but often missed.
see
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii...-actuator-oil-filter.html?454649=#post4298715


Robert G8RPI.

I was under the impression that the interesting thing about that filter is that it's not mentioned at all as a service item. Fairly sure it's not listed in my service book at 30k but i'll check it later, well worth checking out though and it may well be the cause of many uniair modules been binned needlessly

 

[Bookish]

Just read through the entire thread supplied and I shall remove my filter at the weekend and report back. Seems such a simple little job. Thanks for all the helpful info, its much appreciated.

 

[Bookish]

Right a quick update, my cover cap is removed using a 10mm hex key, now I'm off to buy a THIN walled 15mm socket doh!! As mentioned previously but I missed it. Write back soon.

 

[Bookish]

Right filter is clean as a whistle and since driving the car today in warmer weather there has been no symptoms.
So I've ruled out the oil filter issue, I've ruled out any fault with the clutch pedal (previously welded broken link). Although there is a "wonky" part above the brake peddle with no adverse effects on driving.

Here is a link to my google photos album with some pictures of the filter removal (mine was a 10mm hex key to remove the metal cover cap and a small halfords £5.99 hand socket 15mm to remove the filter)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/l8EgusjfefIBC18w1

So it all seems cold weather related.
Diagnostic in the new year then

 

[Bookish]

Another thing.....my service light seems to have reset itself? Its no longer warning me it's due a service, could this be because I disconnected the battery to change the coils and plugs? Seems odd.

 

[Bookish]

Quick update, had a diagnostic today which revealed a failed solenoid on the twinair unit.(follow link) https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=14634&sku=255688

Having it replaced as I type.
NOT CHEAP. £450+VAT fitted but looking at the unit price not bad.

Possible causes.
As the solenoids are submerged in oil they can fail if the oil ingresses into the solenoid.
If the oil isn't changed often enough then this can also aggravate the situation.

 

[varesecrazy]

Quick update, had a diagnostic today which revealed a failed solenoid on the twinair unit.(follow link) https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=14634&sku=255688

Having it replaced as I type.
NOT CHEAP. £450+VAT fitted but looking at the unit price not bad.

Possible causes.
As the solenoids are submerged in oil they can fail if the oil ingresses into the solenoid.
If the oil isn't changed often enough then this can also aggravate the situation.

I saw the pics you posted on another site..
Good info. Thanks.

If my TA suffers a similar issue I would probably have the whole unit replaced while it was apart.
Same labour charge..

Although of course a trip to Hampshire could potentially halve the bill..
Charlie

 

[Bookish]

Well I haven't got it back yet, they ran out of time friday so hoping to pick it up tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

 

[Bookish]

If my TA suffers a similar issue I would probably have the whole unit replaced while it was apart.
Same labour charge..

Although of course a trip to Hampshire could potentially halve the bill..
Charlie

Trip to Hampshire?

 

[Bookish]

Right, Ive been a bit of an idiot but I don't mind sharing in order for others not to follow my dumb lead.
Got my invoice today and it totalled £908 inc VAT.

The labour was on top of the part at £55 an hour and that was plus VAT but I assumed was including. 4.5hrs labour (initially quoted 2hrs labour)

Part was £484.56 +VAT
Gasket £4.72 +VAT
Sundries £20+VAT

I now wish I'd of got a WRITTEN quote so that there was no confusion.

I know I've been a silly boy but just want to emphasise GET A WRITTEN QUOTE especially when like me you are trying out a new garage for the first time.
Can't blame anyone but myself....lesson learnt the hard way.