Hello from Somerset

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Hello from Somerset

richardwp

Is it me?
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
71
Points
15
Location
Near Bridgwater, Somerset
Just joined after looking for advice on a problem with my 2001 Marea Weekend 110 JTD which I've had since nearly new as an ex-demo at 5000m and has now done 75000m. Had Fiats on and off all my life, mostly small ones, 127, Pandas as well as a Seat Marbella. This is my first Fiat main car and also first diesel. Has had some niggly faults, mostly eccentric Magnetti Marelli electrics, but generally love the car and want to cure it, so may post the problem on the Marea Forum if local dealer can't sort it this time (they've had a couple of goes already. I'm blowing black smoke and diagnosis is over-boost valve problem but a new OB valve hasn't done the trick). Helpful as they are, they're the only main dealer hereabouts as far as I know, are very busy and do tend to replace parts rather than try to repair or clean them. If all else fails I'll try a diesel/auto electric specialist, Hinkley Valtone in Bridgwater of whom I hear good reports, but now the dealer has started and I've paid out C£250 so far, I'm going to give them a chance to fix it.
 
Welcome to here ..was at r/r day at the weekend and picked up that you can put cooking oil in with the derv to cut down the smoking ;)
 
Well, having browsed the technical pages of this forum to try to diagnose the fault myself (dealer's diagnostic machine is still posting up overboost fault and they've already changed the overboost valve at a cost to me of £232 to no avail), I noticed one post suggesting check all air hoses for leaks/loose connections, as black smoke from a diesel is a sign of the mixture being too rich. I noticed that the big hose which I think leads up from (or down to) the turbo to/from the top of the engine was not quite slotted into it's connection properly. In trying to ease it up a bit I grasped the hose and discovered a big split in the back of it which surely the garage should have spotted, even though not visible from the top? Anyway, a quick bodge with some duck tape has effected a temporary repair, followed by a blast down the road at high revs to clear the system, and problem solved after 6 weeks, 4 visits to the dealership and much pollution on the roads of Somerset and beyond (as well as embarrassment when people in other cars point at you)! So I phoned the garage to tell them to order me a new section of hose which they can fit while I wait, when I take it in on Tuesday for the 2 days they'd booked it in to examine it. But what about the overboost valve (and replacement of a nearly new fuel filter) that they fitted but which weren't needed. Think I'll send the Missus as she's much better at complaining than I am (and she's a redhead to boot!) It was Huttons at Weston-super-Mare by the way. Elsewhere I see they seem to have a poor reputation. They certainly couldn't fix one electrical fault I had in the past (wipers not turning off if lights were on) that just turned out to be a bad earth and they do seem to be just new parts fitters rather than proper repairers. Any views?
 
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