Hey Guys,

Just got a Fiat Seicento 899cc 1999 petrol. Problem when I take it on drives over half an hour long, or when I hit a steep incline. The car seems to loose power and judder, and when I press the accelerator harder, it only makes it worse. I've took it to a garage, they changed the fuel filter and the spark plugs, but no joy. I threw some redex in the fuel too, also no joy. Just as bad as ever. No warning lights seem to appear when this happens, and the car never cuts out, just slows right down. I leave it for 40 minutes or so, and it seems to help. Any ideas guys?

Suggests something is happening when it gets hot and that -- maybe -- it's getting hot rather slowly.

Has someone removed the thermostat? (Not absolutely sure this is possible on an 899!)

Is it loosing/using coolant?

So many questions...........

Does the cooling fan come on/work at all?

Not loosing engine coolant. Sometimes slight burning smell of oil or something. not all the time though. I'll need to check the thermostat thingmajing. As for the cooler fan, I'll need to give that a check. Total newbee to this car fixing stuff. The oil was changed not long ago. No loss of oil. At the correct level. Would a warning light come on if the thermostat had gone?

Only if you were overheating as a result.

There is good diagnostic software out there for free for that car. Try a google for IAW scan 2.

Needs leads and a laptop running -- IIRC -- Vista or later.

Thanks for that Fingers99. I'll give it a go with the diagnostic thing.

running getting worse as temperature goes up is classic Crank Sensor failure indication. As already said however, half hour is a long long time for it to get upto a normal running temperature.

Have you actually had the engine management light come on when driving (its the one that looks like an injector, why fiat decided to use a different symbol to all the other marques we will never know )

Oh and welcome to FF! :wave: