Hi all

I have a 2011 1.3JTDM Mito. Not a Fiat I know, but its a Fiat engine I believe, so you guys may be able to help me, since its also used is the Grande punto if I'm right?

I got it 2 years ago at 57,000 miles, it has now just done 100,000 miles.
Other than general poor wiring, all has been well up until now.

Issue 1
Over the last few months, ive noticed a judder/hesitation low down in the rev range. Its between about 1700 and 2200 RPM. Its most noticeable when slowly accelerating in 5th (5 speed box). its not the engine labouring, because its fine up to about 1700 RPM, then starts spluttering a bit, then is usually fine from 2200 RPM onwards, although it will persist further up the rev range if you push the throttle more than you normally would. This issue seems to be getting slowly worse.

Issue 2
Over the last 2 - 3 weeks, the car seems overly smelly. not sure if it is exhaust fumes, or engine fumes, but its worse when sat stationary in traffic. I'm about 85% sure the smell is coming through the vents, but there doesn't seem to be any particular event that makes it better or worse, other than sitting stationary. THIS is the issue that concerns me most. I do a long commute, so I'm in the car for 2+ hours a day. My 1 year old daughter also rides in the car, although, only for very short 5 minute journeys at the moment.

Issue 3
Over the last few days, the engine has taken longer to start than usual. Not alarmingly so, and on its own, I would ignore it, but I thought it might be relevant to the above.

Note. Its just been MOT'd and there were no advisories, and no issues with the emissions test.

Note. in the last couple of years, the oil degradation light has come on around this time, (last year I got it done with the MOT) this has not come on yet, so either its going to happen soon, or whatever determines the oil has degraded, is not working.

Note. ive noticed no unsual activity with the temperature gauge, and the MPG figures are about what I normally get.

Any ideas?

Thanks, and sorry for all the info.

Sounds like a possible egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) issue to me.

Has this ever been cleaned or replaced?

There's a good guide on here detailing how to strip and clean them (albeit for the 1.9 but I believe the process is the same for the 1.3 more or less).

Jacob said:

Sounds like a possible egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) issue to me.

Has this ever been cleaned or replaced?

There's a good guide on here detailing how to strip and clean them (albeit for the 1.9 but I believe the process is the same for the 1.3 more or less).

Click to expand...

Thanks Jacob


I did wonder if it could be EGR related. its not been replaced or cleaned, so I may give it a clean and see if it helps.


I guess once ive located it and removed it, then cleaning it is pretty universal?

Yes I should imagine so, they're not complicated things really.

It's worth a try anyway, should help with starting issues.

For issue 2;

I have the same problem. Apparently it's a common issue. The culprit is a cracked breather hose I believe. For some reason the GP pulls air under the engine, so an exhaust smell at idle is no surprise. You can stop this I guess by putting recirc on and then opening a window. Working for me until I replace it. There is a tutorial on how to replace the breather hose on the forums somewhere

Philip G said:

For issue 2;

I have the same problem. Apparently it's a common issue. The culprit is a cracked breather hose I believe. For some reason the GP pulls air under the engine, so an exhaust smell at idle is no surprise. You can stop this I guess by putting recirc on and then opening a window. Working for me until I replace it. There is a tutorial on how to replace the breather hose on the forums somewhere

Click to expand...

Ahh, thanks, this sounds interesting. can anyone confirm this is also the case for the Mito?


Thanks

My mk2 punto did the same as problem 2, oily smell in the cabin.

Was the breather hose as already mentioned.

champ222 said:

Thanks Jacob


I did wonder if it could be EGR related. its not been replaced or cleaned, so I may give it a clean and see if it helps.


I guess once ive located it and removed it, then cleaning it is pretty universal?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately while it's easy to get to on the 1.9, from what I've heard it's an absolute nightmare on the 1.3.

I've also heard that it's horrible on the 1.3 , it's still possible. Any faults in the computer memory because usually egr trigger a fault quite quickly.

bfbenf said:

I've also heard that it's horrible on the 1.3 , it's still possible. Any faults in the computer memory because usually egr trigger a fault quite quickly.

Click to expand...

I have multiecuscan, but I haven't had a chance to look yet.


I've ordered a new EGR valve from ECP, as much as a pig as it may be, I'm going to have to have a go, cant really afford to pay a garage to do it now.


I'm struggling to find a 1.3 egr guide though.


Even if it turns out not to be the EGR, the existing one has still done 100,000 miles, so its no bad thing its being changed.

Hi All


A little update on this. Last night the hesitation seemed as bad as its been, additional symptom was when at speed (70mph is) lifting off the throttle to slow a little, due to traffic etc, then gently placing my foot back on again to maintain speed/ increase speed, there was a slight hesitation that didn't feel right at all.


so, later last night, I connect multiecuscan to the car. No errors logged anyhere. I went to the EGR section, and watched the values, the requested and actual values coming from the software suggested it was working ok. although I was sat still not driving about, for some reason the software wouldn't let me do the actuator test.


While I was there, I reset the "self learnt functions"


this morning, the hesitation is much improved. Not completely gone, but there was a definite improvement.


The smell was still there though, and possibly worse that is has been, but not by much.


Now I already have the EGR, but I can return it for a refund, if this doesn't seem the likely issue.


I could go for a drive with the software "logging" but I don't know if that would tell me anything or not.


Thoughts? should I proceed with fitting the new EGR valve?


Thanks guys

Another update.

All was well, but i just had the check engine light come on.

Multiecuscan tells me:

P0089 - pressure on injector support

Any ideas?

Check that your high pressure pump is not leaking, mine was and i could smell diesel fumes in the cabin

champ222 said:

I have multiecuscan, but I haven't had a chance to look yet.


I've ordered a new EGR valve from ECP, as much as a pig as it may be, I'm going to have to have a go, cant really afford to pay a garage to do it now.


I'm struggling to find a 1.3 egr guide though.


Even if it turns out not to be the EGR, the existing one has still done 100,000 miles, so its no bad thing its being changed.

Click to expand...

most 1.3 diesel info is within the Panda section 2003 /2012

using SEARCH in advanced helps locate the search terms easily for relevant car sections..,

Charlie - Oxford