Technical Ducato Engine Failure

[ernest vincent]

A week ago in Portugal my 2016 model 2.3 multi jet Ducato powered down completely whist cruising a autoroute in my Hymer motorhome. Rescued and taken to a Fiat garage who ran a diagnostic check and suggested there is a P0340 fault. The garage is unable to do the work and the vehicle has to be repatriated to the UK.

Any suggestions what exactly the fault might be? And how to fix it?

many thanks

EV

 

[varesecrazy]

Hello

Searching old Ducato posts..

That code appears to indicate a Camshaft sensed error

Could be electrical.. cabling.. a sensor itself

Or a mechanical fault upsetting the timing

If its being repatriated at least you will get an answer in English


Do let us know more as you hear it

 

[ernest vincent]

Hello

Searching old Ducato posts..

That code appears to indicate a Camshaft sensed error

Could be electrical.. cabling.. a sensor itself

Or a mechanical fault upsetting the timing

If its being repatriated at least you will get an answer in English


Do let us know more as you hear it

Thanks! Appreciate the response. Once sorted I will let you know

 

[Anthony489]

Hi ernest

As varescrazy indicates, DTC P0340 is a generic code indicating a malfunction with the camshaft position sensor circuit. Fiat may have chosen a subtly different meaning, but it will be in that area.

The camshaft position sensor allows the engine to determine which cylinder is firing. It can also determine if there is a discrepancy between camshaft and crankshaft timing, e.g. wear in the timing belt or incorrect position (e.g.belt slipped a tooth). The engine can run without it (i.e. only the crankshaft position sensor working) but it may be difficult or impossible to re-start after it has stopped.

For safety reasons, the engine will not stop completely when you are driving unless there is a serious malfunction, but it may be put into restricted power mode and show a warning lamp. If you lost all power the P0340 code may not be the whole problem.

Sorry that you have to go to the trouble of repatriation, but it is probably preferable to attempting repair far from home. The sensor itself is not expensive (£50 ish) and is fairly easy to access, but I think you need a full diagnosis.

 

[ernest vincent]

Hi Anthony

Most helpful. I hope my local garage can diagnose and repair. If not I’ll be looking to search out someone who can.

many thanks

 

[ernest vincent]

Hi ernest

As varescrazy indicates, DTC P0340 is a generic code indicating a malfunction with the camshaft position sensor circuit. Fiat may have chosen a subtly different meaning, but it will be in that area.

The camshaft position sensor allows the engine to determine which cylinder is firing. It can also determine if there is a discrepancy between camshaft and crankshaft timing, e.g. wear in the timing belt or incorrect position (e.g.belt slipped a tooth). The engine can run without it (i.e. only the crankshaft position sensor working) but it may be difficult or impossible to re-start after it has stopped.

For safety reasons, the engine will not stop completely when you are driving unless there is a serious malfunction, but it may be put into restricted power mode and show a warning lamp. If you lost all power the P0340 code may not be the whole problem.

Sorry that you have to go to the trouble of repatriation, but it is probably preferable to attempting repair far from home. The sensor itself is not expensive (£50 ish) and is fairly easy to access, but I think you need a full diagnosis.

Hi Anthony

My motorhome fault has now been diagnosed. It is the timing belt tensioner that has broken badly (disintegrated somewhat) and this has caused the failure and some damage. My garage is now dealing with this. My question is should a tensioner break like this? It was renewed in 2020 by Fiat as the original was casing a whine. In fact Fiat paid as it is a relatively young vehicle.

Thanks for any thoughts

Ernest Vincent

 

[Anthony489]

Hi Ernest

The simple answer is no, it shouldn't fail. I believe it's a relatively simple item, i.e. a toothed pulley running on a ball or roller bearing plus a spring loading. One would expect it to last as least as long as the cambelt replacement interval i.e. about 5 years. Although its common practice to replace it along with the cambelt, this is precautionary so the life should really be longer than this.

Unfortunately, your 2020 replacement was probably only warranted for a year and the chances of any goodwill recompense are small.

I hope the damage wasn't the ££££ catastrophic type you get when a belt snaps or slips more than one tooth ?