I've a W reg Marea Weekend 2.0 with nearly 100,000 miles on the clock which I absolutely love, but it recently developed a problem during long runs. I drove back from Switzerland to the UK yesterday and after spending all day at 80-90mph (gotta love those French autoroutes), on getting into the massive queue at the Eurotunnel it cut out. It was like there was no fuel at all getting to the engine - didn't splutter or anything.

After about ten minutes it restarted, and seemed fine. Then after 45 minutes idling in the queue it cut out again. After letting it cool down it restarted (and enabled us to jump the three hour queue to get a train - I think the Eurotunnel mechanic wanted to get rid of my bad French!)

It was fine coming back from Folkestone to Leicester, although we kept the speed below 80mph. However this morning after about 20 minutes on the M69 at 80mph ish it cut out again, restarting after about ten minutes, so it seems to be getting worse.

It never seemed to do it whilst we were in Switzerland for the past week although we didn't do many long runs, but it did do it once on the way down when we stopped at a service station.

A friend suggested it was fuel starvation, and he suggested looking at the fuel pump - he had a volvo with a similar problem that cleared once the engine cooled down. The engine doesn't run hot - needle never goes over halfway on the temperature gauge.

I had a search on here and I haven't tried the taking off the fuel cap trick yet to see if a vacumn is building up, but I will. Another thread suggested it couple be a temperature sensor, lambda sensor or mass air sensor. It's very much an all or nothing problem - when it restarts it runs fine.

It's also always had a rattle from the exhaust, which the fiat coupe specialist in Birmingham (Paul at Motormech??) reckoned was a loose baffle - however I saw another thread about blocked exhausts, wondered whether the baffle is getting in the way?

I'm taking it to JCS Kegworth this afternoon, but does anyone have any other suggestions before I end up with a big dealer bill? :-(

Thanks

Hi,
Looks like you have covered all the bases already.
I think its unlikely to be a baffle as I don't think one could move far enough due to heat alone.
More likely to be temp related. I'm not sure how the ecu reacts to a very high temp signal from the temp sender, but as its linked to the temp guage then thats unlikely......sorry rambling a bit.
The only other thing I can suggest is checking the fuel feed system, pump, filter,low and high pressure lines.
Good luck.

The all or nothing nature of the problem suggests to me the problem my friend had with his volvo - a crack in a relay in the fuel pump that opened up when hot, causing the fuel pump to fail. Cool the fuel pump, crack closes, all hunkidory.

I've heard good things about JCS in Kegworth on here so I'm hoping they won't try and pull a fast one, but years of experience with Ford main dealers means I like to know (a bit) about what I'm talking about before I walk into the lion's den ....

Just had the chap from JCS Kegworth on the phone - they've isolated the problem as being caused by a faulty TCS sensor. Apparently this sensor sits on the crankshaft and tells the ECU that the engine is running, and when it gets hot its failing, so the ECU thinks you've switched the engine off.

£22.16 + VAT and fitting, will probably come to about £155 including investigation, which considering they took it out for a run and it failed on them and they had to recover the car, is pretty good I reckon? First time I've used JCS and very impressed with their service so far - didn't try and patronise me like most Ford dealers I've dealt with.

cool, sounds like you'll be on your way again then good to see some 2.0 20v's are surviving

I had it serviced by the Fiat coupe specialist in Birmingham and asked his advice about how long it might last (it's done nearly 100,000). He's seem Coupes with that engine and up to 150,000 on them, and he's never had to change one of the non-turbo engines. Reckons it's a good solid engine when not stressed by sticking a turbo on it - what happened to yours?

Mine's a W and seems in pretty good condition overall, so I'm hoping to get another 30,000 out of it over the next couple of years.

Given good oil regularly, allowed to warm up, never driven hard while cold and given enough time to cool down after a hard drive the engine should just keep on going.

The rest of the car is likely to become worn before the engine.

I got it with 90,000 on the clock and from the history it looked like it had been serviced every 10,000 or so and reasonably well looked after, although you just don't know. I keep the revs below 4000 until its warmed up and change the oil frequently, so fingers crossed.

One of the nice things about buying a Marea is that if it does go, I didn't spend a lot on it in the first place, and I'd buy another in an instant. It'd be a difficult choice between the sensible option (a 1.8 for better economy) and the fun option (my current 2.0 - I get between 25 and 29mpg, is that about right?), although the fun option would probably win again

Sounds about right - You wern't tempted by the 2.4 JTD then with an angel tuning remap?

I'd just got shot of a nearly new TDCI fiesta that was duuuuuuuuuuuull so I was a bit anti diesel when I bought the Marea, and finding a 2.4JTD can be tricky. I know they're quicker with the remap, but having never had a petrol "sports" car (ok I know it's an estate, but you know what I mean) I thought I'd treat myself.

The sound the engine makes - especially since I put a K&N filter in - is just lovely, and I love the way it just gets faster and faster as the revs climb. It's chewing through the front tyres nicely too, so I can change the cheap crap that's on there for something decent soon (any suggestions?)

Plus since this sensor went Tuesday I've been getting a lift to work with a chap who's got a Nissan Terrano with far worse fuel consumption than the Marea, so he's only too happy to lift share, and that's the easiest way to reduce my fuel costs! Save the Marea for non-rush hour (fun) driving ....

Trust me, Fiat diesels are nothing like other makes. Even though mine is only the 1.9JTD, it doesn't make swapping to the Tipo too difficult a change.

What size tyres do you have currently? I changed to the correct size for mine 195/55R15 and thats an expencive size. Nangkang Ultrasport NS-2's were the choice in that size (I was skint). I think it's eating them quicker than my Tipo did when it had the Nankang's on. Might change to 195/50R15 which are slightly smaller but much cheaper. For the price of a Nankang 55 profile I can buy Bridgestong Potenza RE720e 50 profiles. Only worry is having the rev's a little higher at motorway cruising speeds.

I just wish I'd know about diesel Mareas three years ago - I wanted a diesel Focus but they attract a hefty premium, so I bought a 1.6 petrol Focus estate for £6600. The next week drove past a Marea Weekend 1.9JTD of the same age and mileage for £3000 private. I could have given the Focus back too - the dealer had a two week refund policy - but convinced myself the Focus would be more reliable etc. etc. If only I knew then what I know now, had endless problems with the Focus

Not sure what size the tyres are and the car's in Kegworth and I'm in Coventry so I can't check. But will have a look - I know the previous owner paid £25 a tyre and the steering wheel squrims all over the places when you put even a bit of power down out of hairpins.

Now that may not be all the tyre's fault (although at £25 a tyre well... ). Mine pulls to the right under power which I think I've tracked down to a worn rear bush on the passenger side lower arm. Going to replace both when the funds allow. I'd give your lower arms a good poke and pull to check the life in your arms.

How does the boot compare in the Focus compared to the Marea? My friend turned down the Focus due to it's small boot, and went for a Stilo MultiWagon instead.

I know the front driver's bush needs doing and I've asked JCS to do it whilst they've got it, although the sales guy I just spoke to (all the service people were busy) thinks you have to have the whole arm replaced, not just the bush? He wasn't sure and did say he'd check.

With the fold down bumper the boot's nearly as big as the Focus, although the Focus suspension towers don't intrude as much. I mainly use it for transporting mountain bikes, so that isn't a problem, and the drop bumper makes it infinitely more practical for bikes than a friend's Audi A4 estate, and just as good as a Volvo.

A friend's bought a Mondeo estate though and I have to admit that's vast. Even though I love the Marea and Fiat generally now I couldn't bring myself to buy a MultiWagon - that's one ugly car IMHO ....

Yeah but don't tell him that - he was going to buy a Pug 206 estate :yuck:

The whole arm needs replacing if the bush has gone, you can get powerflex bushes but for the cost you can buy about 2 or 3 pairs of new arms - and you get new outer ball joints with each new arm.

Fold down bumper is so cool. I've used it loads for offloading heavy items to fitting items that don't quite fit in the car! Not had mountain bikes in yet but it's gotta be easier than in the back of a Tipo.

Plus have you noticed the increase in the number of estates on the roads? Everyone I know is buying an estate.

I'll see what the cost is before I decide to have it done. It clonks a bit on bumpy roads, and the steering can be a bit squirmy under power, but it isn't that bad. Is it a complicated job - ie. could I get the part myself and get my local independent garage to do it?

After spending ten years taking wheels and seats off mountain bikes to fit them in the back of Fiestas, it's estates all the way for me now - just slinging muddy bike in the back on a tarp at the end of the ride is the way forward.

Fold down bumper makes a great seat too

Everyone I know who's a cyclist is buying an estate

Did you read the Marea review in the Times recently? Made the point that before MPVs families who needed space bought estates, and because those families all think they need an MPV or SUV the price of estates is lower.

Suits me - I don't have any kids to shift, and an estate is much better than an MPV for bikes, and infinitely more fun to drive, especially when it's got a silly engine in it ...

As far as I can tell it's a little easier than the Tipo's which I have done myself. 4 bolts - 1 each side of each bush, and the pinch bolt holding the hub carrier to the ball joint. No drop link to worry about on the Marea.

The clonk could be the anti-roll bar (search the forum) or the anti-roll drop links.

I have 1 child to haul around, but if I still need the space there is the 60/40 rear seat! I had 3 adults, one baby, a bravo front bumper, a 6 man tent and a few other little things in the Marea recently. Still had the parcel shelf on!

Hellcat said:

Plus have you noticed the increase in the number of estates on the roads? Everyone I know is buying an estate.

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oi! i started off that! only since i said i was getting a marea everyone copied me!