Hello,

I would greatly appreciate your help and recommendation what to do?
I own Fiat Ducato 2.3 TDI model 295-HAC4. 2015, I bought it new in April 2015, 25 months ago. The vehicle has 148,000 km.

The official importer recommends treating every 48,000 km and I've done treatments every 30,000-35-000 km.
Last week, the engine started to make noise (no warning light went on), I stopped and ordered a tow truck that towed the car to the garage. In the garage, they said that the engine is a "total loss" and even so they could not see any warning lights.

The importer refuses to take responsibility and says the warranty is for 24 months or 100,000 kilometers. and since the vehicle has passed 148,000 kilometers and 25 months have passed, the warranty is no longer valid.
After negotiations, the importer ready to give me a 55% discount on the price of the engine but I still have to pay for all the other parts and work for the garage itself.

Since the vehicle is used by me for work and every lost day is a Significant damage for me I had to agree to the terms. But since there is a built-in engine problem I wold like to hear your opinion and how can I contact the vehicle manufacturer?

Thanks in advance,
Moti

So whats wrong with it?

I have to pay now $ 8,000.
do not you think the company should take full responsibility for it?

Whats wrong with it? Did the timing belt break, did it throw a conrod. Garages will often say its a total loss to make life easy for themselves and pass the cost onto you.

I am looking for a way to communicate with the manufacturer directly.
Do you know such a way?

Moti said:

I am looking for a way to communicate with the manufacturer directly.
Do you know such a way?

Click to expand...

Hi,
You are not really giving us enough information to give advice. What exactly is broken on the engine? This is vital information so we can tell if the advice that it not economically repairable is valid
More importantly I doubt many on the forum know enough about your local laws to give advice. There are many variables. For example in the UK/EU a private car owner should have some protection, but a business user has less.
To be honest, an offer of 50% off of parts on a 2 year old commercial with 100,000km with expired warranty is not a bad offer. The other option you have is to find a used engine and get an independent garage to fit it. This assumes the engine really is not repairable. If it's just not economic for a main dealer to repair, a specialist engine rebuilder / repair may still be cheaper. Try to get references though, here in the UK some "rebuilders" are doing minimal, if any, work on exchange engines.


Robert G8RPI.

I cannot see why you wish to blame the manufacturer?


You do not know the cause of the failure or what failed.


You do not say if the vehicle was serviced at a franchised dealer and if you have documentary proof.




When you say treated do you mean serviced ( inspected and consumable parts , oils , fluids replaced) ?


It is entirely possible that if there is any blame for the failure it does not lie with the manufacturer.


Before trying to blame anyone you must find which component failed and why.


If you find out what failed and why, you can then instruct a lawyer to try and recover some money if anyone had been negligent.


If you really want to know the truth you should have the failed engine examined by an independent person ( not connected with anyone who has already done any work on vehicle previously ) clearly you would have to pay for this .

I think you have been very fortunate that the importer has given you 55% discount on a new engine.

hi,

i will try to get more informetion a bout what is broken on the engine.

thanks for your help.

In the Uk vans from at least 2012 had a warranty of 2yrs unlimited mileage, in 3rd year it only covers vans under 100,000 miles.

As it's just outside 24momths I would
A, take it to a Fiat Authorised Service centre to have them look at it. Fiat may offer a better contribution

B, be able to prove the correct Oil, filters & belts etc fitted by either a main dealer or approved service centre (in uk at least a VAT registered garage and genuine not OE spec parts fitted)

The correct spec oil must be used if you want longevity

That's where I would start,

Also bear in mind if your van is a motorhome it could have been registered months before it was first sold, reducing the life of any warranty, is my understanding

Good luck

Hi Rolopolo,

I have the 2.3 multijet engine in my 2015 Hymer Exsis, if I was in the same position as you appear to be, which thankfully I am not. Based on an offer of 55% discount off of a new engine, I would already have the repairs underway!
I think that's a cracking deal, especially when you factor in the value and peace of mind of the new warranty that will begin as soon as you drive it out of the garage.
Bearing in mind you appear to put on big milage, I would also insist they fit a new speedometer showing zero miles (if they refuse, pay for one and ask them to fit it), as this will also prove to be a financial benefit when you come to sell the vehicle.
Good luck.

RFC7

RFC7 said:

Hi Rolopolo,



I have the 2.3 multijet engine in my 2015 Hymer Exsis, if I was in the same position as you appear to be, which thankfully I am not. Based on an offer of 55% discount off of a new engine, I would already have the repairs underway!

I think that's a cracking deal, especially when you factor in the value and peace of mind of the new warranty that will begin as soon as you drive it out of the garage.

Bearing in mind you appear to put on big milage, I would also insist they fit a new speedometer showing zero miles (if they refuse, pay for one and ask them to fit it), as this will also prove to be a financial benefit when you come to sell the vehicle.

Good luck.



RFC7

Click to expand...

It's not myself that's in this predicament, I was merely pointing out the Uk warrranty, as the OP seems to be not in the UK (apologies to OP if I'm wrong there)

But re the speedo you mention, you can pop as many speedo's on as you want but the mileage won't change as that's embedded in the brain of the vehicle, which I'm unsure on legalities on changing the odometer reading, I personally wouldn't purchase a van with clocked or replaced ecu/can-bus brain/bsi as it would stink of a cover up, and the cost of such an exercise would probably be into the £0000's at a guess

Regards
RoloP

I wasn't suggesting you instigated an under-cover speedo change, and I certainly had no idea that if you did change the speedo the original milage would still be held in the ECU memory. I thought if a main dealer did the work they would be able to zero the memory, obviously not.
I think if it were me I would still get the speedo changed and make a note of it in the vehicle paperwork, I certainly would not have a problem buying a high mileage car (subject to service records) if there was clear evidence of an engine change and I was made aware of the correct milage when this took place.
I hope you get the matter sorted to your complete satisfaction.

RFC7