I bought a 2002 1.6 Dynamic last year & have had nothing but trouble. Problem were/are:

Engine Failure warning
Airbag failure
Rear stop lamp failure.

The lamp is sorted & turned out to be a matter of loose wires & the Airbag is the same (which I understand to be common) so I can live with it until I know of a permanent fix. The real problem is the Engine failure.
So far I have replaced the ECU, the potentiometer & the accelerator, now I am being told it is likely that one of the valves has gone.
It has always felt sluggish even when the warning light isn't on & before the ECU was replaced the car would lose power intermittently when the light was on.
They have now discovered that one of the cylinders isn't sparking & that disconnecting one of the coils/sparks makes no difference. Both spark & coil were replaced after that to no effect. Clearly the car has been running on 3 cylinders only.
Am now being told that the they need to get the head off & look inside & that although the valve isn't expensive, as they'll need to skim the engine etc that the cost will probably be circa £800.
My question is , after spending £700 already on a car which only cost £3600 is it worth it & is it likely to be resolved?
If anyone has any answers or common experiences please post back.

To be honest, this appears to be a completely hadhazard approach to resolve a problem. Randomly changing parts just does one thing - costs a fortune. Why have you returned to the same place when they are clearly incompetant?

After £700 I would be asking myself why is it not fixed? If they have charged you this amount to fix the problem, and then haven't done it, why return?? Surely there is some leverage on the price of £800? This price sounds far too expensive to me for simply removing the head and then re-fitting a 'failed valve'. Skimming the head costs about £25 for anyone off the street, so the dealer is going to get that done for cheaper anyway. Even if they have to skim the block deck (can't see why this would be necessary at all though), I really think you are being completely ripped off here.

The last head gasket I did, inc a head skim, cost me £65 all in. I did the work, but I asked the main dealer for the same and they quoted less than £500.

I'd go somewhere else, and ask for a refund from the original - as they haven't solved the problem.

Totally agree with Stilo_ste

This is real basic fault finding - not even a mention of a compression test

I wouldn't mind betting you didn't even need a new ECU.

Argonought said:

Totally agree with Stilo_ste

This is real basic fault finding - not even a mention of a compression test

I wouldn't mind betting you didn't even need a new ECU.

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My opinion entirely!

Argonought said:

Totally agree with Stilo_ste

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Had to happen one day.

Oh my word yes, got to do a compression test before jumping into removing the head.
What is the fault code? Could easily be just a sticky injector causing the misfire. Driving ok one moment and then losing power intermittently missing on No.3 with engine fault light the next doesn't sound anything like valves but very much like injector

So
Find out what the fault codes are
Find out what the compressions are on each cylinder
Do some cheap and cheerful tests like test for head gasket before assuming it's gone
If a cylnder isn't firing you don't just change the coil and plug without testing them and then say "Duh! That didn't fix it". What kind of garage is this? Do they have sticky out ears and teeth missing?

Stop lamp is 2 min fix
Air bag is often 2 min also (see Stilo Guides)
So are they making up for time lost?

You need another option in the poll.
Using an automatic weapon wedged firmly to the back of their head, get everything they've changed and charged you for but didn't do anything put back the way it was, obtain full refund and find a garage who knows what they're doing. Walk away slowly keeping your back to the exit door

Where in the world are you??

Stilo_ste said:

Where in the world are you??

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near Enfield

So what do you think you will do now? Surely Enfield has plenty of reputable garages?

Stilo_ste said:

So what do you think you will do now? Surely Enfield has plenty of reputable garages?

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Not sure - I would like to repair it & sell it but am wary of throwing good money after bad. Additional problem is that it turns out to be a class D insurance job meaning that although fully repaired & roadworthy no dealer will give more than 50% of current market value - was offered £900 the other day at Autoplanet (car supermarket)! Can't sell it as it is as don't want someone coming after me. Am tempted to just let it go.

"""Oh dear, I seem to have spilled lots of petrol around the car and even inside it. Must not smoke anywhere near it and carelessly dispose of the nub.""""

shawdavid said:

Not sure - I would like to repair it & sell it but am wary of throwing good money after bad. Additional problem is that it turns out to be a class D insurance job meaning that although fully repaired & roadworthy no dealer will give more than 50% of current market value - was offered £900 the other day at Autoplanet (car supermarket)! Can't sell it as it is as don't want someone coming after me. Am tempted to just let it go.

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Typical car supermarket valuation. Had the same thing recently with wife's car

"Sorry mate - book price. I'll you show if you don't believe me".
"Go on then"
"Errrrrr..... ummmmm...."
Tossers.

Anyway, if I was you, I'd follow the advice above. These guys seriously know their stuff and have saved me £££££s with their advice in the past. I reckon if this sorts it out, you should hang on to the car and enjoy it - especially being a class d (resale won't be easy private or trade).

Also, like Ste says, you may have a case in claiming the money back from the garage. I'd approach them calmy and politely about it. If they don't want to know then you can sue them online at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk (i think that's the address). You pay £30 up front and if you are successful it is refunded by the defendant + compensation. I have used this system and it works brilliantly.

Hopefully it won't come to that though.

did you know it was a cat D?

Yep!

fix it and run it into the ground and get your moneys worth, I too agree with the other posters about what you have been charged and the results

take it to a good dealer & get it diagnosed...should take no more than one hour!

Just let another garage quick look at it (non-FIAT) and they reckon its the injector - am taking it in on Thursday for them to open up so maybe I'll be lucky & find its minor after all. Anyone reckon the injector is a possible cause?

If its only an injector then dont dispare cos PNL is here check the price of the 1.6 injectors and you will see that they are over £100 each and as I have two spares and happy to let one go if you want one PM me it will be a lot cheaper than fiat [its a genuine part as well and new]

Non Fiat garages can be fine for routine jobs like general servicing, brakes, tyres & exhausts etc but can be risky for more complex fault finding.

You're far safer taking it to a specialized Fiat garage - preferably one with access to Examiner (which is not to say you have to take it to a main dealer).

from the sounds of whats been said, i'd edge my bets on the injector