Technical 2009 water pump seal?

[koalar]

That's a bold statement, after having worked on many cars and finding a wtf moment when trying to take something apart. Just remember that the designers only have to get the built car out the door as cheaply as possible,

And last at least until it’s out warranty which does cost million if they got it wrong

what happens for servicing is probably beyond their comprehension.

Fiat service their car don’t they. Giving feed back on potential problems

Having spent 3 years learning Finite element analysis software. I would hope Fiat would use the same

I don’t see it as a bold statement

Yes they are built to a cost. Yes the car is only designed to last a certain amount of time.

But is works and for 100.000 miles at a time if serviced properly

 

[Yolanda]

There is a groove for where a gasket o-ring type seal could go. From an engineering point of view, a gasket /o-ring seal would be better. With a proper seal you control the compression of the gasket and dont get unknown fill amounts of RTV that's 'blobbed' on. A gasket or o-ring gives more controlled location than the RTV, so some nonsense posted in the first few posts.

Fiat may have millions of units, but there are far more with a proper seal fitted on the roads. Remember that Fiat stand for cheap bodged together cars.

I don't know about cheap and bodged together, mines not doing bad for an 18 year old.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I don't know about cheap and bodged together, mines not doing bad for an 18 year old.

Whilst our old "Mk1" 1992 Panda was pretty shocking for tin worm I really think the 169 - of which "Becky" is one - is as well put together as most of it's contemporaries and I've seen worse rust on many, rear axle excepted perhaps? It's also really pretty easy to work on when it needs attention which you can't say for many others.

 

[koalar]

Fiat as a whole car are in the top 10 for reliability

Fiat engines units are in the top 10 for reliability. But Honda are way ahead per unit fail (3x)

Fiat are above the likes of Audi and VW

Shame I haven’t seen any figures for the Panda alone

Fiat being of a lower value than some of the others probably get more abuse

In todays money it takes over 1 billion to design and tool up for a new engine which is why manufacturers share the costs.

 

[vexorg]

Fiat as a whole car are in the top 10 for reliability

According to whom? Fiat marketing??

A quick search on google:
- Autoexpress - no mention of fiat in top 20
- Carbuyer - no mention of Fiat in top 10
- What car - no mention of fiat in top 50(!!)

Or searching most relaible manufacturers, again no mention of fiat!

 

[koalar]

According to whom? Fiat marketing??

A quick search on google:
- Autoexpress - no mention of fiat in top 20
- Carbuyer - no mention of Fiat in top 10
- What car - no mention of fiat in top 50(!!)

Or searching most relaible manufacturers, again no mention of fiat!

I was quoting a warranty company “Warranty Direct”

1 Honda 1 in 344
2 Toyota 1 in 171
3 Mercedes-Benz 1 in 119
4 Volvo 1 in 111
5 Jaguar 1 in 103
6 Lexus 1 in 101
7 Fiat 1 in 85
8 Ford 1 in 80
9 Nissan 1 in 76
10 Land Rover 1 in 72

And is the first hit on google

 

[vexorg]

What's that well known saying, "Lies, damn lies, and fiat reliabilty"

 

[Yolanda]

Fiat as a whole car are in the top 10 for reliability

Fiat engines units are in the top 10 for reliability. But Honda are way ahead per unit fail (3x)

Fiat are above the likes of Audi and VW

Shame I haven’t seen any figures for the Panda alone

Fiat being of a lower value than some of the others probably get more abuse

In todays money it takes over 1 billion to design and tool up for a new engine which is why manufacturers share the costs.

It's a fact I suppose that cheaper model cars especially second hand in a lot of cases won't get the maintenance they deserve. Most people haven't got the knowledge ( and I mean that in the nicest possible way ) or the facilities to look after their cars, and garages charge a lot of money these days for their work. But if one is able to service / repair and generally look after them there is no reason why they can't last for many many years, especially the mk3 due to the fact that it's got a galvanized body.