I’ve not long owned my abarth,. I’ve done say 1k in 3-4mths,. It has a full service history that I’m really starting to doubt. Last service was less than 3k ago..

I noticed yesterday it’s ‘ticking’ on idle and it never used to do that,. I’ve just checked my oil and it’s empty. I’ve just put 1ltr 5w40 in, let it settle and it’s below minimum. It’s soothed the tapped tick.. but why has she not warned me her oil is low?

It’s knocked me sick ? thinking my ignorance has damaged her.. I can’t find branded oil anywhere apart from online.. no garage will do a oil change with supplied oil and no garage wants to service her.. only been to reputable garages

Goudrons typecastboy any advice gents?!

Like most cars these don't have a oil level sensor so as long as there enough oil pressure there should be no issues

The light indicates SERIOUSLY low oil pressure, not level, it's essential it's checked every month. Our Mazda uses quite a lot of oil but does not burn it.

1 litre in 3000 miles is within factory limits for most Fiat engines. For a car thats new to you a weekly oil level check is a good idea until you lean what it's comnsumpton is. Then monthly is a good idea. As you cauht it fairl early you should be OK. Where are you located? maybe someone can recommend a good garage.

Robert G8RPI.

1 LTR IN 3000 MILES...!!!! Are you sure that's right?
If that's true I would be topping mine up every month.....Which i'm not
LUIGI

2668GRIFFIN said:

1 LTR IN 3000 MILES...!!!! Are you sure that's right?
If that's true I would be topping mine up every month.....Which i'm not
LUIGI

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That's about what our Mazda uses.

I think some of you guys have read it wrong

It is sensible to include the oil level in your weekly lights and levels check.

Can give advance warning of problems before they become major.

From the OP's perspective, low mileage can cause more problems than high mileage to a performance engine.

We don't have details of the type of mileage covered but averaging 80ish miles a week suggests either short journeys or long periods of inactivity. Neither being particularly good for an engine.

The oil pressure light not illuminating is good, the ticking would be a tappet struggling for oil.

That's at the top of the engine and would do no real harm, the valve just wouldn't be opening as much as it should.

Take it as a timely warning.

If you are that concerned about the service history get it into your dealer or specialist and get one done.

D

I guess I'll be the first to ask.

You've owned it 3 or 4 months, what was the level when you bought it?
After a month?
After two?
After three?
After a service?
Before a long trip?
After a long trip?

If you check regularly, you get to know it.

First thing I do with any new, new to me, even after a service (outside in the car park before I drive away) is check all the fluids.

After that it's every month and before and after long trips.

Without checking, how do you know if it came fully topped up, it's leaking or using oil?

Hopefully you've done no damage, but we're as clueless as you to where it all went, if it was there at all.

You'll be able to buy the oil from any Fiat/Alfa dealer and a lot of Fiat/Afla specialist will stock it as well.
They'll also service it, it's the cost you have to pay for owning something like a car like this, that and waking up to find some feckin' scumbag has stolen it (like I did).

Try a mobile mechanic to change the oil? Explain the absolute necessity to use the correct oil and ask if they will use supplied oil or that they guarantee to use oem spec oil?
As the car is fairly new any Fiat dealer will be able to supply the service record to check it's past servicing.
Our now 10 year old car 'ticks' most noticeable at idle, I'm not overly concerned at the moment at 85k
Given how new the car is, you could get Fiat to change the oil? Is there any warranty?

It had oil when I bought it,. I wasn’t expecting it to be empty.. I hardly use the car. Like I said my ignorance nearly cost me a new engine.. lesson learned.

I also checked the oil when my spark plugs failed after 400 miles of owning the car,. The oil was checked when it was put on the rolling road last month.

I own a Vauxhall Zafira as my daily, the abarth is my toy..

Cambelt is now priority,. Because this service book is a load of lies.

There is no warranty yet,. Warrantywise offer a decent price

A good habit to get into is to check the oil each time you refuel. Filling station forecourts have a lot going for them in this regard; generally they are level, well lit and offer some protection from the weather.

jrkitching said:

A good habit to get into is to check the oil each time you refuel. Filling station forecourts have a lot going for them in this regard; generally they are level, well lit and offer some protection from the weather.

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And have a supply of paper towels too.

D

Stephen A500 said:

I own a Vauxhall Zafira as my daily,

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You'll know all about oil consumption

Stephen A500 said:

is now priority,. Because this service book is a load of lies.

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Have you checked with the garages who's stamps are in the book?

D

My zafira is amazing dude,. Oil is great,. I think I’ve topped it up once in 3yrs.. but the abarth has scared me into doing a full service today..

Abarth has had the past 4 services at a place called ewloe hall motors.
Look at the mileage, then look at the number 4’s..
The next page is the same place, different writing

They do look like they were written at the same time and exactly 5300 apart makes me think,,, does the mot history give any clue?

It's quite possible the garage forgot to stamp the book so it was corrected at the next service. It's also possible (likely?) the wrong oil grade was used. Too thin will burn very quickly as I found when I first tried Mobil 1 fully synthetic in a car designed for 20w50 mineral oil.

Services could have been done, but they probably had a mobile mechanic come in. I've caught out a main dealer before. Oil changes only is what previous owner got as a service plan. Thankfully bits missed were easily sorted. If doing low mileage get car serviced every 6 months and keep paperwork in a binder. Fiat/Abarth dealers can do fixed price low mileage service. Which hopefully would have correct Selenia oil. Main dealers can have fixed price cam belt changes too. With a guarantee, which is all you can do.