Technical Diesel injector failure TWICE in a few months?

[Dieselfan]

I have just communicated to FIAT "CIAO" my whole case. I have to say they were very, very friendly and helpful. I am already in a much more positive mood after such good service from the lady helping me creating a case for Fiat Technical. They will revert back to me.

I must say, it is this sort of treatment that could make one very brand-loyal.

I will report back on this saga. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[The Beard]

I have just communicated to FIAT "CIAO" my whole case. I have to say they were very, very friendly and helpful. I am already in a much more positive mood after such good service from the lady helping me creating a case for Fiat Technical. They will revert back to me.

I must say, it is this sort of treatment that could make one very brand-loyal.

I will report back on this saga. Thanks for all the feedback.

Excellent. In order to celebrate a successful outcome everyone on here will come round to your house for Schnapps, Ricard and Amoretti.

Or if you like, Heineken, Kronenbourg and Moretti......and some cheese.

 

[The Beard]

That's the sort of trip that's more fun (though considerably more expensive) done in a light aircraft.

May I direct you to the road from Hawk Green to Marple near Stockport where there is a hump back bridge that if taken at 30 will extend your springs to their limit, at 40 will allow you to leave the ground completely and at 50 will allow you most of the pleasures of your own, personal light aircraft.

Fortunately it has been re-aligned slightly since my old mate Griff put his Sunbeam Rapier onto the adjacent golf club. The Groundskeeper was less than amused. I wouldn't mind but 12 months later he did the same thing with an Escort fitted with a Mexico engine and gearbox.

Some people never learn.

 

[Dieselfan]

You crack me up.

 

[The Beard]

It cracked Griff's car up as well. The bridge used to have a bend to the right almost right on the crest so when he hit it at about 50mph he missed the tarmac underneath him and clipped the chain link fence, then went nose first into the grass, stood on its nose at 90 degrees, so it was vertical, and then dropped back onto its rear wheels.

After it was taken to a body shop where another friend worked it was checked out to see if it could be repaired. On being measured it was found to be 14" (35 cms) shorter than before.

Believe it or not, it was repaired and put back on the road. It was the H120 model which was very rare. It had a 1725cc Hobay tuned engine with twin Webers,.....or Solex.....or Dell 'Ortos. Quite a handsome coupe.

 

[Dieselfan]

Fiat has finally reverted back to me, saying very simply: the car is not under warranty anymore, and Fiat regards diesel-injectors as "wear and tear".

They somehow don't think the total failure of four diesel-injectors at essentially the same time as "unusual".

So my good friends: the message is clear: any catastrophic failure of Fiat engines or components (without discernible cause) is regarded by Fiat as "expected" or "not unusual". Now you know exactly what to expect from the product you drive.

My next car will likely be a Skoda or VW. I love this Cross, but any manufacturer who tells me this as part of policy, I simply cannot accept that they don't even have very high regard for their own engines.

 

[Crx16]

Well, thats put me off a diesel panda.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Well, thats put me off a diesel panda.

What, one experience.

 

[blod65]

Sorry to hear you have lost faith in your diesel Panda, but to be honest I don't think you would have had a different reaction from any car company with regard to a 5 year old vehicle having a mechanical problem.

I can sympathise with your annoyance at all the injectors failing in a short period of time and I would probably be equally annoyed....but, the injectors although identical are separate components and the one item that links them is fuel and I have to agree with previous comments regarding contaminated fuel.

Is it possible the fuel filter wasn't changed at the correct period, your garage wouldn't be the first garage to charge for replacing a service item when in reality they hadn't done it.....sorry if I sound paranoid!

Anyway I hope you get it sorted out soon...

 

[Dieselfan]

Well, thats put me off a diesel panda.

Even though I am disappointed and bitter by the outcome, I have to concede that by searching this forum and asking the garage, this does not seem to be a regular event. I think also, given the fact that so many cars in the Fiat-Alfa-Lancia (even Opel) use the little 1.3 MJ, it must be a good engine overall.

 

[Dieselfan]

Sorry to hear you have lost faith in your diesel Panda, but to be honest I don't think you would have had a different reaction from any car company with regard to a 5 year old vehicle having a mechanical problem.

I can sympathise with your annoyance at all the injectors failing in a short period of time and I would probably be equally annoyed....but, the injectors although identical are separate components and the one item that links them is fuel and I have to agree with previous comments regarding contaminated fuel.

Is it possible the fuel filter wasn't changed at the correct period, your garage wouldn't be the first garage to charge for replacing a service item when in reality they hadn't done it.....sorry if I sound paranoid!

Anyway I hope you get it sorted out soon...

You may be correct. I concede and once calmed down, my conclusion is the same as yours. The filter scenario is the most likely, even though these Swiss mechanics are pretty good. Contaminated fuel is very unlikely too, these Swiss are just too pedantic about this.

Maybe it is just one of those things. I am especially disappointed, mostly because I honestly care for this little car.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[Crx16]

What, one experience.

no, not just this, I was somewhat put off anyway. They seem to have more problems than the petrol versions no? Have been considering swapping the 100HP for a mj, to save some money on committing. But am anxious any saving will be consumed in repair costs long term?

 

[jrkitching]

Trading your 100hp for a 1.2 petrol will most likely give you the lowest overall running cost, providing you can live with the pedestrian performance & drive it accordingly.

The 8 valve 1.2 FIRE is IMO one of the best engines ever made for its combination of economy & trouble-free longevity. If sensibly driven & regularly maintained, it should easily run 200000 miles without needing any costly repairs.

Carefully driven, you'll see 50+ mpg, too.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Trading your 100hp for a 1.2 petrol will most likely give you the lowest overall running cost, providing you can live with the pedestrian performance & drive it accordingly.

The 8 valve 1.2 FIRE is IMO one of the best engines ever made for its combination of

:yeahthat:

 

[varesecrazy]

Trading your 100hp for a 1.2 petrol will most likely give you the lowest overall running cost, providing you can live with the pedestrian performance & drive it accordingly.

The 8 valve 1.2 FIRE is IMO one of the best engines ever made for its combination of economy & trouble-free longevity. If sensibly driven & regularly maintained, it should easily run 200000 miles without needing any costly repairs.

Carefully driven, you'll see 50+ mpg, too.

too true,
that engine has been in production - relatively unchanged - since my 2nd panda in 1984

for everyday driving they are fantastic, cheap and easy to work-on / service,
and a cheaper used buy too,
Charlie

 

[Crx16]

Trading your 100hp for a 1.2 petrol will most likely give you the lowest overall running cost, providing you can live with the pedestrian performance & drive it accordingly.

The 8 valve 1.2 FIRE is IMO one of the best engines ever made for its combination of economy & trouble-free longevity. If sensibly driven & regularly maintained, it should easily run 200000 miles without needing any costly repairs.

Carefully driven, you'll see 50+ mpg, too.

Thats interesting, but not sure i can live with the pedestrian performance all of the time really.

 

[jrkitching]

Thats interesting, but not sure i can live with the pedestrian performance all of the time really.

In that case, you might be better off just keeping the 100hp.

 

[Crx16]

Yeah i think so, i can average high 40's mpg out of a tank driving pedestrian, but need the odd bit of fun every now and again