Bravo faults - the BIG list

[Mekon]

Noise from clutch area

This is the clutch release bearing when it gets dry (ie no grease - so called sealed 4 life) it rattles, after a time it will fail. better to get it sorted at Mr Clutch if u ignore it and it fails it may score the clutch shaft in the gearbox, this is poart of the gearbox casting and is non replacerable u would need a new gear box.

This happened to my wifes car and shaft was badly scored but managed to salvage by rubbing most of the burrs off the scored area and totaly covering shaft in high temp grease.

3 years later and no problems - but a fiat dealer would not do this they would sell u a new box at 800 quid !!!!!!

this car seems to suffer premature clutch failure.

 

[DAvid]

2001 (51) Bravo jtd sx
36k service - 1 track rod end and 1 bottom ball joint (opposite side) replaced under warranty
40K leaking rear shocks replaced under warranty (rattle from rear traced to seat back catches)
45K replaced front disks & pads
48K sunroof leak sorted (at last)
52K bonnet stuck shut (twenty quid to fix)
56K passed first MOT - no faults

My Bravo gets driven hard on proper roads every day. Other than than getting the sunroof leak fixed it hasn't missed a day off the road.

 

[Nick M]

The big list

1998 1800 HLX
Mileage now 78000 miles
I bought the car August 2003 from the one and only owner since new with a full JCT600 service history and spotless.

Since then :

69000 new engine - one of the pistons disintegrated (bit of a freak problem)
72000 Bravo spent 2 months with Dixon Fiat in Leeds as it wouldnt run and kept cutting out. Finaly a guy from Fiat UK came up from London and cured it, a loose earth lead behind the dash!!!!!
Water leaks - now cured
74000 new exhaust and clutch kit/slave cylinder.

Now sweet as a nut no problems - serviced by turin motors (italian specialists) Leeds

 

[FirstFiatMan]

Bravo

1.8 HLX
N reg (is that about 96?)
58K miles
Full dealer service history - no major repairs other than usual consumables.
owned 7 months (3rd Owner)

Problems:
1) Air conditioning condenser leaks gas out (awaiting quote to replace)
2) Power steering fluid goind down - appears to be leaking at the rack (also to be replaced shortly, after a more thorough diagnosis)
3) Washer jets keep getting blocked
4) Drivers seat seems to have a little movement under hard braking (sorry if this counts as 'trim')
5) Bonnet has a few push-dents on the end from being pushed onto latch by it's flimsy skin (not really a fault as such - just clumsyness by past owner)

Maybe problems:

6) Temp gauge seems to be faulty. It takes ages to move and stops about 1/4 to 1/3 up the scale - very rarely hits the half way line on runs of at least an hour. Maybe these cars just run pretty cool most of the time and take a very long time to warm up.
7) Seems a lot less powerfull than I'd expect from an italian 1.8 in a small light car unless I really floor it - often have to drop 2 gears to overtake. Not sure it anythings wrong or if its just because it's my first 16valve car.

 

[richard]

Re: The big list

2000 W bravo hgt 24,565miles bought july 2003 1 previous uncaring owner oip pump leak through seal (1 in a 10,000 chance according to warranty direct) engine had to be removed to do it so cambelt was changed at same time all under warranty phew!! and new discs all round due to last ownwer leaving it stood! since then great car.