I bought a my Sei in three years ago, new but pre-reged 12 month prior. I had zero mile when I got it. In the first week I noticed that I was losing petrol - the tank was not plumbed in properly then 4 month in engine overheated. Back to Fiat and they replaced various bits (headgasket and head machined as far as i know) was all done under warrantie. A few month later, coolant keeps disappearing, finally see water puddle under the car. My garage man says; take it back to Fiat and demand a new engine - looks like the head-g is gone again.
Back to Fiat - oh, sorry sir, the car is out of warrantie and someone non-Fiat has opened the bonnet ! After much argueing they check it out change bits here and there, tighten clamps and pressure test the thing. 235 pounds worth , but I don't have to pay. Now , 10 months later - I break down again, overheating ! Recovery guy says :"That looks like the head-gasket is gone!" :bang: It's with Fiat at the moment for investigation of the fault. I am waiting to hear, but I expect them to say: We checked everything. The Engine is fine, give us 80 quids and away you go. Have I got a faulty engine - should I jump up and down and demand a new engine ? I had it for 3 years and drove 11K miles so far. I don't think I will EVER buy Fiat again.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

So being pre-regged, car has sat around for a year doing jack?!

I presume you knew this when you bought it...

I would still kick up a big fuss, saying not fit for the purpose.

Hi Stu, yes I knew, but did not think it through. Actually losing petrol - pouring out while filling up at the station, is pretty pour though. They must have missed that at the pre-delivery check LOL. They were also very cagy about what they had done when I had the first overheating problem. I only know about the head-gasket and skimm-job because I demanded to see the worksheet ! And when I mentioned that I believe I we need to approach Fiat for an engine replacement , they did not even flinch. As if that is not so unusua. There are lots of threads on overheating here. It appears this is a "normal" problem ? I have never had so many problems with a "new" car before.

i would wonder if the head was skimmed.even with sitting etc if the head gasket was donr properly i would expect it to last longer if it was done properly. unless you have an underlying cause for over heating that is killing the HG

Hi Custard Boy. I saw the worksheet from the Fiat Dealer Garage and I did not pay for the work, so I am fairly sure that the head was done about 2 1/2 years ago. The next incident when the cooleant was leaking from what appeard to be the cylinder head, Fiat said that they did not have to do the head or h-gasket. Just changed the theromstat I think and tightened some clips etc. As I said, that bill came to 235 pounds , which they did NOT make me pay. I just heard from the garage and they are still investigating. They offered me a courtesy car, which I think is a good sign that they feel things are not right with this engine. I will be away for a week. Will post more updates next Friday. Thanks to everyone for your contributions.

well if the head gasket lasted 2 !/2 years then thats okay,what mileage did it do in this time?
a leak from the stst housing is nothing to big

only 9.5k miles , it's now got 11k on the clock in just under 3 years drive time.