Dear all

My 500 Twinair (2011, 85bhp, 37,000 miles) has lost the rush of eager torque that used to make it such good fun to drive. It now feels as though it is hesitating and holding back when I try to accelerate hard, most noticeably in the 2500-5000rpm range. Fuel economy is signifcantly worse, too - from an average 44-46mpg it's now down to the high 30s, which is pretty poor.

It did this before its most recent service (November), at which a diagnostic check showed up no fault. The garage replaced the spark plugs anyway but it has made no dfference.

Any ideas? Just randomly changing MAF sensor, lambda sensor, temp sensor etc etc could get expensive and yield no result. Currently both I and my local garage (trusted independent who I've used for many years) are at a loss.

Many thanks for any insight

John

Thanks for your very speedy response... yes, correct oil used. Coil packs were replaced a while ago in a recall, but of course that doesn't mean there isn't a fault there now. What sort of ECU parameters? I'm not at all sure that they have been done correctly, or that the garage knows that any special ECU procedure is even needed? Please explain!

Many thanks

John

My old fiat.alfa specialist commented it takes longer on the pc than under the bonnet.

From what Ive read:

There is a mesh oil strainer in the engine to inspect and flush.

The ECU has parameters for;
Oil temperature.
Engine temperature
Air tempersture

Mileage reset.
Service indicator reset.

Pretty sure the TA service GUIDES on the forum have more detail..
See 500 guides.
Lots of detail in the comments..
Including me.. but I never did DIY.. illness-moving house saw to that..

Charlie

Mentioned rpm range is turbocharger related.
Boost pressure has been checked?
The problem appeared suddenly?

LarsLarsen

This may give you some things to check
twinair-plus-yesterday.html#post4309597

That didnt work, scroll down the 500 section and look for my post on servicing

Bookish said:

That didnt work, scroll down the 500 section and look for my post on servicing

Click to expand...

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/455949-serviced-my-500-2011-twinair-plus-yesterday.html

link - for those reading this in months to come.

hoping somebody will take the time / gather enough info. to compile a GUIDE on TA service stuff

I know werdna with his 500TA has done his own oil changes.. but not too sure if he's found the "mesh" screen , (or indeed the MES one..)

Charlie

I haven't seen a mesh screen...as I am on 39,909 I had better look next time I change the oil

johnsimister said:

What sort of ECU parameters? I'm not at all sure that they have been done correctly, or that the garage knows that any special ECU procedure is even needed?

John

Click to expand...

where abouts in the UK are you based..??

Charlie - Cardiff/Oxford

I've no knowledge of the twin air engine, but, check the simple things first, split vacuum/breather pipes, split/detached turbo boost pipes, hole/crack in intercooler? detached connectors, been through a large puddle at speed/pressure washed the car underneath?
Cut your losses speak to Fiat/Fiat specialist pay for expert diagnosis?

varesecrazy said:

where abouts in the UK are you based..??

Charlie - Cardiff/Oxford

Click to expand...

Berkhamsted, Herts.

Thanks to all for suggestions so far.

johnsimister said:

Berkhamsted, Herts.

Thanks to all for suggestions so far.

Click to expand...

you are very welcome,


I'm not aware of any regular FF posters near you,

but there are a few Alfa specialists.. may be worth a call before spending out on a guesswork parts list

Charlie

Hi, I work in berko along northbridge road if you need me to show you where the oil strainer is. There is an Alfa / fiat specialist in Houghton Regis, Dunstable opposite morrisons who could do a specialist diagnostic. I'm booking mine in when I find a free moment. Ours isnt an everyday car so I'm just going to do it when I have time.