heraldsteve said:

If it's the actual crankshaft then that's just about the most single major component in the engine, but I find it hard to believe this is what your mechanic is referring to. If it has gone then it's a major piece of work as it involves a rebuild of the engine. When a crankshaft goes it usually results in knocking or rumbling, especially under load.

I'm more inclined to think you have either misunderstood his diagnosis or that he means the pulley is somehow knackered and might have caused damage to the shaft (which is the end of the crankshaft), but if this is the case then I'm sure it can be 'bodged' with a new pulley to an acceptable standard. I've never used it but I have heard great things about 'liquid metal' which is designed to repair this type of shaft damage.

First thing is to get your mechanic to accurately describe what he thinks is wrong, then maybe someone here can advise further if necessary.

Click to expand...

He definitely meant the whole crankshaft. I will see him again and ask him for the details again. However from what i remember, in the centre of the shaft is a bearing like sheet metal and this is what is failing causing play in the pulley. He showed me the movement in the pulley and said its more than what is considered normal. He did say to replace it is to strip down engine and gearbox. He said it will eventually fail but it will give me plenty of warning before it does. I hope what i've said is a bit more helpful but like i said when i see him next i'll ask. If it was just the pulley i found them online for around £100.

Phil

so, have you ascertained if this issue has been caused by the previous cambelt change not being done properly? because if so, whoever did it has essentially written your car off, probably.

I found several pulleys etc online for around £60, but if we are talking the crankshaft itself, then im not so sure if thats actually worth fixing, but that depends on cost-may be better fitting "new" engine, or biting the bullet and sell off for a replacement....

If it's the thrust washers (also known as thrust bearings), and not the main bearings or big ends, then I would be tempted to keep running it, but this will eventually kill the engine. It's impossible to know how long it would last, it could last weeks or years before failing.

I haven't stripped one of these engines, but with others I've worked on you can change thrust washers by just dropping the sump and removing number one bearing cap. I have done this myself in about an hour.

In my opinion a failed timing belt would not cause the thrust washers to go, I suspect they were already worn.

The car has done just under 140k miles. I was hoping it would last me a while longer, another year or 2 until i can afford something else. If it packed up soon i'll be in trouble.....no car

Phil

My mechanic is looking at the car on sunday. In the meantime i have couple of questions if i may. Firstly is it normal for the temp gauge to reach half way after just a few miles of town driving? It hasn't gone completely over the halfway mark and does drop again and fluctuates. I haven't really noticed before but it seemed to have got there quite quickly. Either theres a problem or i'm just been paranoid after what happened last week.

Secondly i can hear a rapid tapping when driving. Sometimes its very faint but i just about hear it. I noticed it before my cambelt failed but even after a new belt i can still make it out. It doesn't do it at idle.

Any ideas?

Phil

The temp thing into too unusual. Usually reaches temp after about 10 mins ish, but thermostat may need checking. As for tapping, could be tappets need adjusting, or, just try some oil treatment specifically to reduce tappet noise, that might sort it.

does your jtd have an antivibration crankshaft pulley? if so it could be the rubber deteriated and causing excess play, rattling,etc and not a goosed crank
https://www.fiatforum.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Crank_Pulley.jpg
heres a thread on it
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/269506-stilo-clattering-again.html
also a slightly blocked fuel injector could have a bit of a tappety noise on load when pressure is higher, at idle pressure is much lower so may not tap.

The temperature issue really depends on how hot it is outside and how you drive the car.

If you constantly check the car (accelerate - decelerate) and you get some 25 degrees +, your temperature rises in 5 minutes. Ish.

When it's really hot, like 40 degrees outside, my temperature goes from 0 to half way in less than 1 mile. And yes, mine fluctuates as well sometimes, it may mean your thermostat needs checking but that's not the cause of the problems so let that be for the moment. In my opinion.

Cheers.

I had diagnostics today for the engine fault light. It came up with timing synchronisation fault. Under the destricption the diagnostics lists possible causes. The bloke reckons the cambelt timing could be out, a crank position sensor or something to do with the flywheel! Are the flywheels duel mass in the JTD? I was asked but i didn't know! I've also got a wobbly aux crankshaft pulley! So.....its going back to get checked again:bang:

Thanks for the replies regarding the temp guage, i'll keep my eye on it.

Phil

JTD 115 bhp has a DMF.

Thanks Davren.

I went back to my car earlier and it didn't start, it ticked over but wouldn't fire up. I thought great now what Anyway i've been sat in Asda car park for 2 hours and ended up being towed home by the RAC. The crank sensor has decided to pack up:bang:

Phil

Hello

Its been a while since i posted so heres an update! The crankshaft is damaged so i have now got a replacement engine. Its currently at my mechanics being nursed back to health! Its been sat on my drive for 4/5 weeks I'll have my stilo back soon

Phil