Technical Exhaust/Underside Damage

[Bren J]

Hello!

Well, I only joined the forum yesterday, and already I've damaged my Stilo! Haplessly driving into a deep flood, there was a very loud bang underneath the car.

On inspection this morning, the plastic heat shields around the exhaust have all ripped and buckled, as has the thin metal sheeting in the same sort of area (roughly below the left-rear passenger seat).

I've managed to order the correct plastic shield (cost £10) but am not sure what to do about the metalwork. Thames Fiat Dealer were a fat load of use (as ever), and the repair garage want £150 to just re-fit the plastic cover! God knows what the metal work will cost to repair!

Anyone else had problems with the plastic/metal heat shields underneath their Stilo?

Bren J
London

Crystal Green 3dr Stilo 1.2 Active

 

[James M]

Hmmmm my dad had a similar thing with his Rover, he just removed the metal heat shield and left it at that, don't think I would do the same though, esp if your planning to keep the car a while?

Not fancy having a go at replacing it yourself?

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

 

[cmc]

Does the heat shield protect the Cat? If so as James said I wouldn't leave it. If you're not confident enough to do it yourself take it to a good local garage and it'll be a lot cheaper than Fiat.

1.6 Dynmamic 5 door.

 

[custard]

probably just needs a little weld to hold it

The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs

 

[Bren J]

Thanks for the replies guys

Well, I'm a complete novice at the ol' mechanics thing!
I could attempt to fit the plastic shield without much trouble, but the metal plates that have also been damaged are pretty bad!

They've effectivly peeled off like a lid of a sardine can - the power of water's incredible!! I'll either need a new panel or some metal work is needed!

£150 is cheepest quote I've found though []

Bren J
London

Crystal Green 3dr Stilo 1.2 Active

 

[StiloBoy]

Now what was in the puddle, if it was a big fook off pot hole and that caused you to ground out then get onto your local authority - you could be on for a claim for repairs from them!

2003 3 Door Stilo 1.2 Active, Sassy Grey, plastic wheel trims - and 43mpg average so far. Love it, Oh yes!

 

[James M]

Stiloboy, thats a good point, my Dad once had a tyre blow out cos of that, and he got his costs covered

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

 

[Rich]

I've got the same problemo on mine! I drove over a raised manhole cover on soem roadworks, and damaged a piece of plastic that goes on the front left-hand side (I've got it, I just need to fit it). I've also scratched the subframe, but I got FIAT to check it out and they said there is no damage.

I guess I was unlucky, or lucky as the case may be.

Stilo 1.6 Dynamic, 5dr, 2002, Crystal Green

 

[Bren J]

Originally posted by StiloBoy
Now what was in the puddle, if it was a big fook off pot hole and that caused you to ground out then get onto your local authority - you could be on for a claim for repairs from them!

2003 3 Door Stilo 1.2 Active, Sassy Grey, plastic wheel trims - and 43mpg average so far. Love it, Oh yes!

I only wish there WAS a great big pot hole there!
Nope, it was just a foot-deep puddle of water, about 100yds long, and I was doing about 65mph when I hit it!

The noise of the water under the chassis made me realise Stilo didn't like being take to water [V]

Bren J
London

Crystal Green 3dr Stilo 1.2 Active

 

[StiloBoy]

Yeah but how could the underside of the car hit the ground unless something was above the level of the road (between the wheels but raised) to hit the car or the wheels on one side went down a long hole and the car grounded that way.

Either way it doesn't make sence, if you hit a massive dub (puddle) then your car would have aquaplaned and therefor risen slightly.

2003 3 Door Stilo 1.2 Active, Sassy Grey, plastic wheel trims - and 43mpg average so far. Love it, Oh yes!

 

[Bren J]

Originally posted by StiloBoy
Yeah but how could the underside of the car hit the ground unless something was above the level of the road (between the wheels but raised) to hit the car or the wheels on one side went down a long hole and the car grounded that way.

Either way it doesn't make sence, if you hit a massive dub (puddle) then your car would have aquaplaned and therefor risen slightly.

2003 3 Door Stilo 1.2 Active, Sassy Grey, plastic wheel trims - and 43mpg average so far. Love it, Oh yes!

The force of water at nearly 70mph is surprisingly powerful!

When you first hit water, the car drills deep into the flood before aqua-plaining (similar to a speedboat that sits low in the water before plaining at speed). It was when I first hit the water that the damage could be done, and at 70mph the force of water would be enough to buckle metal and snap plastic!

Bren J
London

Crystal Green 3dr Stilo 1.2 Active

 

[Lester Piglet]

The force of water at nearly 70mph is surprisingly powerful!

I totally agree.
Try diving into the sea at that speed. B)

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

 

[StiloBoy]

Originally posted by Lester Piglet

The force of water at nearly 70mph is surprisingly powerful!

I totally agree.
Try diving into the sea at that speed. B)

Ewwww! [:X] But i'd get all wet, and its so cold out - all my bits would shrivel up with shock! [^]

Good point non the less! Never though of it like that! I'd get the dealer to fix it though, that way you won't invalidate any warranty and if your buying the parts they might do you a good deal on the labour! Good will gesture and all that! |) If your lucky! Shame your a bloke really!

2003 3 Door Stilo 1.2 Active, Sassy Grey, plastic wheel trims - and 43mpg average so far. Love it, Oh yes!

 

[pjp]

I'd say the council are responsible whatever.

If there was that much water on the road they were negligent in not providing adequate drainage or signposting the fact that flooding could occur at that location.

Beware though, if the councils insurers pay out they may pass on the details to your insurers who then screw you for having a no fault accident!

Paul


Stilo Abarth, Broom Yellow

 

[custard]

i once got the costs of a rear screen refunded by wait for it...........the RAF as there sonic boom of a low flying jet shattered the glass and i messed me pants:I

The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs

 

[pjp]

Did they pay for your seats to be cleaned too?

Paul

Stilo Abarth, Broom Yellow

 

[Bren J]

Originally posted by pjp
Did they pay for your seats to be cleaned too?

Paul

Stilo Abarth, Broom Yellow

Hahahaha!

Well, I could pass the buck to the local council, but we've had so much rain I doubt there's much they can do about it.

In any case, if I DO pass the buck to them, they'll simply pass the buck on to the weather company who supplies them with their forecasts, saying the heavy rain wasn't predicted - and guess who does their forecasts...

Bren J
London

Crystal Green 3dr Stilo 1.2 Active

 

[James M]

A non fault accident where you haven't CLAIMED from your insurance co shouldn't affect your future premiums, I've just made a claim off someone else insurance and I've been assured it won't affect my premium next year

In fact, when I took out my policy I mentioned an old claim I'd made against a 3rd party and they said it made no difference as it didn't count as a claim by me! Shame the at fault claim I made last year took its toll

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

 

[pjp]

As I mentioned elsewhere on this Forum, someone ran into my old compant car while stationary on the motorway last year. All of the insurers wanted to load me because of this - my wifes policy went up 30% [!]

According to my insurers, statistically you are more likely to have a fault claim in the next 12 months when you have had an accident that wasn't your fault.

Its just another excuse to cream you

Paul

Stilo Abarth 3dr, Broom Yellow (Nov '03)

 

[pjp]

Hey, we know its difficult predicting the weather here in the UK Bren, especially when all the sattelite photos are of Russia.

Paul

Stilo Abarth 3dr, Broom Yellow (Nov '03)