Technical 1.8 Sounding Like a Diesel on Engine Startup

[Argonought]

Re: Stilo Starting fault

Yeah, agree with Phil - advanced timing variator is a possibility. Mine does it, may pop it down a dealer today or tomorrow.

Interesting that it's got no connection with engine oil.

My JTD used to be a bit noisy on startup, if only for a few seconds, until I upgraded the oil.

 

[Rich]

Re: Stilo Starting fault

UPDATE

Have just got the car back from my other local dealer, whom I asked to give me a second opinion on my Stilo 1.8's engine noise from startup; sounding like a diesel.

Picked up the car at the agreed time and the mechanic said it did it immediately, and he knew exactly what it was; Camshaft Variator.

They are in the process of getting warranty authorisation before going ahead. It needs a new timing kit (belts and tensioners) as well as this variator.

As I say, pleased that it's been found, this other dealer is an Alfa dealer so I expect they see it all the time, as I hear it's a common Alfa problem.

I'll let you know how I get on.


N.B: Few threads merged and renamed to make this one

 

[tkmking]

Re: Stilo Starting fault

Just to clarify - is it actually a problem that must be fixed, or is it ok just to let it sit at idle for a few seconds whilst it sorts itself out?

Only, i don't have £400 to go on the car right now...!

 

[fredster]

It's definetly your variator, had mine replaced less than a year ago and it's gone again. car is now out of warranty but i'd imagine that parts have a years warranty on them.
It seems to be a comm on fault.
Garage said it was ok to leave it, yeh right!!!
you will probably notive that your engine gets very tappety, not good.
i'm going to kick off with them tomorrow as it was in a month ago and they couldn't find the fault.

 

[Rich]

Well I was told that no engine damage will be done, it'll just sound rather awful; I think it adjusts the timing slightly, hence the awfulness.

To be honest, if I didn't have the warranty, I would have just left it.

 

[fredster]

Makes engine sound crap, affects timing of valves inlet or outlet -not sure which.
This then affects performance, fuel economy etc.
Have to admit mine has better fuel economy with it not working.
Noisey tappets are not good though, causes more wear on valve stems followers etc.

 

[Rich]

Ah right; must say my MPG seems to be worse, although performance ain't bad at the moment

 

[fredster]

Best thing is to get it replaced.
Maybe all us 1.8 stilo owners who have had this prolem should flag it up to the fiat big bosses themselves.

I really hate my car sounding like an old tractor.
Do like my stilo, almost tempted with an abarth, maybe one day!!!!

 

[Rich]

Best thing is to get it replaced.
Maybe all us 1.8 stilo owners who have had this prolem should flag it up to the fiat big bosses themselves.

I really hate my car sounding like an old tractor.
Do like my stilo, almost tempted with an abarth, maybe one day!!!!

2.4 Abarth also has a variator!!

When did you get yours done? It's been replaced twice in the life of a Stilo.

 

[Rich]

Update . . .

Got car back today from having this fixed, jobsheet says:
"Investigate noise from engine when cold esp.
Traced fault to noisey timing variator.
Replaced timing variator, cambelt and tensioners."

Total cost to warranty company came to £428.43 which included looking at the seats and lubricating them. I paid £15.51 to get the auxillary belt replaced whilst they were doing all of the work.

Looking at the parts invoice, they've had to order a cylinder head seal and 4 circular seals that go on the cylinder head; one assumes it has to come off for the variator to be replaced. What a nightmare!

 

[larzmaster]

that is actually a common problem with the 1.8 liter engine... not stilo specific, though. had to have that done on my barchetta (r.i.p.), too.
so, if you experience a diesel-like engine sound, do tell your garage to fix the whatsitcalledinenglish.

best,

lars.

 

[euan]

Well I don't know if it's any motivation to get it fixed, but my stilo has sounded like a diesel ever since i bought it new, and the garages have always said it's just a noisy engine. But about 6 months ago the engine started squeeling after about 30 minutes of driving (ie when it's heated up). It sounded like a slipping belt. Took it back to the garage, paid them £150 to "investigate". They said that it wasn't a belt, it was either the water pump, or the timing variator, or both. They couldn't be sure, and recommened I replace both, at a cost of 850 quid. (Not including the investigation charge). They couldn't even guarantee that the noise would be solved. Needless to say it still hasn't been fixed.

 

[thepottleflump]

When you start getting £850 bills on an '02 Stilo might be worth trading/selling the car and getting a new one or trying another garage who might be cheaper.

The variator issue doesn't just affect Fiat. My old Alfa GTV needed a new one after just 3 years. Combined with a service the bill was about £500 from the local guys and about £1k from the dealer! I got the variator done along with all the belts and tensioner. The variator was changed under warranty but took a bit of a fight to get it done.

IIRC while you don't need to fix it, it's recommended, the variator controls the cam timing or something like that and results in reduced performance if it isn't working correctly and obviously it is annoying starting the car and it sounding like a tractor.

 

[anthonytutton]

how much was the qoute, if you dont mind me asking?

 

[Schwenck]

"Sounds like a diesel". Uugh, I can't imagine anything worse!

Except perhaps a diesel with an automatic gearbox. Or worse still a diesel with an automatic gearbox in a BMW...

Then again, I am insanely prejudicial.

 

[Paparini]

Just to follow what I have just posted elsewhere on this forum. Had the same noise from purchase, the pratts at my local, replaced the tappetts and something else before advice on here suggested the timing variator. Now sounds fine. I was back and forth over 2 years before the problem was fixed, no apparent damage done.

Gotta say though, the figures quoted are frightening.

 

[Rich]

Update . . .

Got car back today from having this fixed, jobsheet says:
"Investigate noise from engine when cold esp.
Traced fault to noisey timing variator.
Replaced timing variator, cambelt and tensioners."

Total cost to warranty company came to £428.43 which included looking at the seats and lubricating them. I paid £15.51 to get the auxillary belt replaced whilst they were doing all of the work.

Looking at the parts invoice, they've had to order a cylinder head seal and 4 circular seals that go on the cylinder head; one assumes it has to come off for the variator to be replaced. What a nightmare!

Well guess what - 8 months later and it's back! Obviously the variator is on it's way out again!!

One assumes I can claim under the 12-months parts warranty.

 

[PNL]

Well guess what - 8 months later and it's back! Obviously the variator is on it's way out again!!

One assumes I can claim under the 12-months parts warranty.

Anything is worth a try but if they dont what will you do this time around ..fit another dodgy fiat part or a proper one that has a life time warranty

 

[Rich]

Anything is worth a try but if they dont what will you do this time around ..fit another dodgy fiat part or a proper one that has a life time warranty

Not bother with either - spending £500, thats double what the car is worth!

 

[PNL]

Not bother with either - spending £500, thats double what the car is worth!

£500 quide :chin: OK sold I will pick it up next week