Technical TwinAir Trekking engine more lumpy than normal

[Liteboy]

Our TwinAir Trekking has become more lumpy and vibrates through the gear lever especially in second. I plugged in the laptop and ran Multiecuscan on it yesterday and it showed no faults. The only thing different to normal is we filled up with Sainsburys Super Unleaded instead of our normal Shell fuel last week. Could it be the fuel? Or is it purely coincidence. I also suspect that the rear box on the exhaust has developed a rattle may be something loose inside it causing an issue.

Any ideas?

 

[lunchbeers]

I hope that's the case, as vibration through the gear lever is often a case of worn out dual mass flywheel, assuming yours is of that age of course.

Any noticeable noises at idle and when depressing and releasing the clutch?

Could also explain the rattle, but it's not impossible that your exhaust might have broken up inside, unlikely the back box though.

 

[Panda IIs]

Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) for me. Not sure why exhaust issue would manifest itself through the gearstick?

My TA loves any of the "super" fuel grades over the regular ones and turns in 10% better fuel consumption so I personally would consider that unlikely.

 

[Liteboy]

It is a 2014 with 32k on the clock. Repair sounds expensive but will need to be done. Will get it booked in fir investigation.

 

[varesecrazy]

It is a 2014 with 32k on the clock. Repair sounds expensive but will need to be done. Will get it booked in fir investigation.

Listen for a 'chirp' as you turn the engine off

Our 2013 ran sick the other day..

It was ok the following day.. so not sure if I blame fuel or a bad sensor messing with fuelling.

How old are your plugs? They get a hard life in a TA

 

[Liteboy]

Plugs are due this service. However the problem got worse on my wife's drive to work. Really bad vibrations above 2500rpm, she was worried about driving it home 30 miles so we have dropped it into the dealers around the corner from the hospital she works at. Didn't sound good when she turned up as I was waiting for her outside. Unfortunately we don't have any good independent fiat specialist's close by nearest is in Royston about 1hr 45mins away.

 

[varesecrazy]

Plugs are due this service.

Unfortunately we don't have any good independent fiat specialist's close by nearest is in Royston about 1hr 45mins away.

How many miles on those plugs..?I'm genuinely interested.. owning 2x TA's

Specialist are indeed a rare breed.. worth searching out Alfa Romeo specialists though.. much of the kit is shared

Charlie

 

[Panda IIs]

How many miles on those plugs..?I'm genuinely interested.. owning 2x TA's

Specialist are indeed a rare breed.. worth searching out Alfa Romeo specialists though.. much of the kit is shared

Charlie

My experience (TA 75k miles) is that plugs are pretty robust and I don't really buy into the "plugs get a hard time" thing in TAs. I'm guessing the original poster has identified Jamie Porter at the Alfa Workshop since he cites Royston as nearest specialist? Would definitely recommend them.

 

[varesecrazy]

My experience (TA 75k miles) is that plugs are pretty robust and I don't really buy into the "plugs get a hard time" thing in TAs.

Having read of a fair few failing on here 'a select group ..of a select group'

Wheras 4cyl motors just work..

I have changed mt TA plugs @20k.. how long have you run yours?

 

[Liteboy]

My experience (TA 75k miles) is that plugs are pretty robust and I don't really buy into the "plugs get a hard time" thing in TAs. I'm guessing the original poster has identified Jamie Porter at the Alfa Workshop since he cites Royston as nearest specialist? Would definitely recommend them.

Yes you are correct, they looked after my Brera S when I had it and my 100HP before they started doing Fiat as a separate entity. Wouldn't trust any other independent but car was barely drivable so the main dealer was the only option.

 

[Liteboy]

How many miles on those plugs..?I'm genuinely interested.. owning 2x TA's

Specialist are indeed a rare breed.. worth searching out Alfa Romeo specialists though.. much of the kit is shared

Charlie

Plugs are original NGK iridiums and have not been changed since new. Had a look at them on Sunday and they were spotless.

 

[varesecrazy]

So thats 32k

Our panda got investigated for a hesitation when started half.warm

Specialist didnt fix it..
but fitted new plugs 'as they have a hard life' -16k from new

My punto got fitted with a set as part of an oil change service..
Annoyed as they were a year old.. its 3rd set

Punto not missed a beat in 60k.. still on its 2012 battery

 

[Panda IIs]

I have changed mt TA plugs @20k.. how long have you run yours?

When I acquired the '63 plate 4x4 TA it had 42k miles on the clock at just under 3 years old. I paid a price that reflected its high mileage and lack of dealer (or any) service stamps (minus 2k on book price). The previous owner was up front and said it hadn't been serviced... It was a gamble. I got the garage that was selling it to change the oil on the spot, before I drove it 200 miles south to home. The plugs finally got changed at 45k miles.

Now coming towards 5 years in my ownership I'd say its "cash neutral" at 78k miles. It had a new Uniair module, likely reflecting lack of oil changes during its early years, and a DMF (maybe due to high miles motorways in its early years?). Given its had fewer miles in my ownership the average looks more sensible. I feel that I now "know" the car and look forward to some more fun motoring. Although I did buy it for my daughter to learn in as it was pretty sensible ($$) for her to be insured

 

[varesecrazy]

Lets hope Liteboy gets some good news today

 

[Liteboy]

So the verdict is DMF and clutch plus light internal wear. Looking at £1500 to £2000 but as my wife says it's a lot cheaper than a new car and is a guaranteed repair. They are going to do a major service at the same time saving me a job ?

 

[murphyv310]

Wow that's a bank breaker for me........ Pricey!!

 

[Liteboy]

Wow that's a bank breaker for me........ Pricey!!

I did have to sit down when they told me. My wife's only concern is if it is likely to go again as she tends to keep her cars for life, her last car before this was a 1999 Fiesta 1.25 who eventually sucummed to the old tin worm in 2019. So she is expecting 20 years out of the Panda ?

 

[varesecrazy]

So the verdict is DMF and clutch plus light internal wear. Looking at £1500 to £2000 but as my wife says it's a lot cheaper than a new car and is a guaranteed repair. They are going to do a major service at the same time saving me a job ?

Sorry to hear that.. thats the sort of news I dread

I was under the impression that all TA'S have a DMF..
lots of people on here think they dont..

If its 'optional' it might be worth 'opting out'

32k seems early.. but weve seen major failures at 10k

 

[lunchbeers]

I thought the concensus was the EU5 85hp didn't have a DMF, but all bets are off on the 4x4. 2014 is right on the cusp of EU6 coming in.

All the 105bhps and I think those in the MiTo have one.

I'm hopeful my EU5 4x4 doesn't have one.

Sorry to hear your news OP

 

[Liteboy]

Our Panda is early euro6 TA thus an early DMF our son has a 2011 500 TA with over 85K on the clock still on its original clutch even after he learned to drive in it ? so that's not a DMF. Reading up it seems they are very common in more modern cars of all makes. Supposedly gives a smoother power transfer but once it fails they are costly due to the only option of replacement.