Mussolinisrevenge
New member
My 2013 Twin Air Panda is a great car once it has warmed up, but, first thing, when it is cold it is not.
It starts quickly enough but within second is popping and banging, most cold starts see the engine warning light and stop start warning lights lit up and the overpowering smell of unburnt fuel. the engine seems to run on only one cylinder and there is distinct tappet noise.
Endure this for about a minute, turn the engine off and it then restarts and runs normally.
I have taken it to the Gold Coast Fiat experts who are as baffled as me. It did have the wrong oil in the engine (Castrol 20W 40 I think)and the spark plugs were completely burnt out (most likely due to the use of 98 Octane fuel I was told) and so both were replaced but the problem is still there.
I have been told the likely culprit is the solenoids operating the inlet valves and that if this is the case it is going to be ruinously expensive.
My confusion is that once warm the motor runs perfectly. The new spark plugs and correct oil have it running better but I have to start the car and let it idle disturbingly until it starts to show some heat before "resetting the ECU" by restarting it before each drive.
I'd appreciate your wisdom/advice/lessons from experience. This is my first twin air fiat and I have no experience to base problem solving on. Thank you.
It starts quickly enough but within second is popping and banging, most cold starts see the engine warning light and stop start warning lights lit up and the overpowering smell of unburnt fuel. the engine seems to run on only one cylinder and there is distinct tappet noise.
Endure this for about a minute, turn the engine off and it then restarts and runs normally.
I have taken it to the Gold Coast Fiat experts who are as baffled as me. It did have the wrong oil in the engine (Castrol 20W 40 I think)and the spark plugs were completely burnt out (most likely due to the use of 98 Octane fuel I was told) and so both were replaced but the problem is still there.
I have been told the likely culprit is the solenoids operating the inlet valves and that if this is the case it is going to be ruinously expensive.
My confusion is that once warm the motor runs perfectly. The new spark plugs and correct oil have it running better but I have to start the car and let it idle disturbingly until it starts to show some heat before "resetting the ECU" by restarting it before each drive.
I'd appreciate your wisdom/advice/lessons from experience. This is my first twin air fiat and I have no experience to base problem solving on. Thank you.