Hello fellow fiat owners

So, first of all, is there a way to turn on the engine safely without the air filter box (and hence the air counter thingy and oil for the turbo) so I can listen to the cylinders while engine is running?)

No OBD failure codes!

So, I’m not a complete novice when it comes to cars, but close and definitely a beginner when it comes to engine repairs. However my current issue is definitely coming from the engine, and as such I’m having quite a difficult time locating the problem.

My engine is somewhat knocking, and at first I thought it was rod knock. However upon driving some more, I noticed a row of symptoms which I can’t seem to connect to a loose rod. After doing some research (online) I’ve concluded so far it’s a leaky fuel injector, however it would be awesome is someone could confirm this before pulling them out as it seems difficult without the appropriate tools.

List of issues I noted, and why I don’t think it’s a knocking rod:
Engine knocking is prevailing if gas is touched with no load. Under load (in 3-4-5 gear) sound is gone.
Minor smell of diesel in engine room/cabin.
Engine sometimes has problems resting at idle rpm when cold. (Swings between 800-1100.)
Engine is never making the knocking sound when cold, even if it has trouble resting in idle. (Turning engine of and starting it again in 30 mins count as “cold” here. Sound comes from quicker than an actual cold start tho)
White smoke when cold. Sometimes (very far and few between) even white smoke clouds when warm.
Engine power is low (shows very much is 4th/5th gear where rpm counter isn’t smooth)
I’m honestly doing oka on fuel economy I guess? Around 22 km/l, always and only doing highways (110km/t)
After last oil change only 18k km were driven before it wanted new oil again, and it’s rated for 24k?

Hope someone can confirm, or give me a pointer, thanks!

Hi

I ran my 2007 with the airfilter box.. stood upright..

So you keep clean filtered air.. but can see..and hear.. the top of the engine

I Slackened the clip on the Large rubber hose.. by the small yellow.tab electrical connector

and rotated the airbox and MAF

This large air intake hose is 1 small screw.. and a plug.in socket connector 'like a hoover'

Yellow tab.. and hose locking clip

Slacken your hose clip and keep the electrical connector plugged in

Motor will not run if you unplug it

It could be a leak from the exhaust manifold gasket for example.

if you are getting fumes in the cabin then chances are you will have failed injector seals

move your airbox aside like in the descriptions above, run the engine and carefully put some water in the trough on the top of the engine where the injectors are, if you are seeing bubbles then you have leaky seals, drain water off with a small tube.