Paul Dawson
New member
Just a word of warning for all you Ducato owners ( both commercial vans and motorhomes)
On a recent trip out in our 2.3l Ducato MH, while driving we experienced a 'slapping' sound coming from, what sounded like, around the steering column ( RH drive vehicle). This only lasted for a matter of seconds and then went away, no warning lights and no loss of power, so we continued.
On our return journey a couple of days later, we were coming down the slip road to join the motorway and as we accelerated to speed, the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and we had a total loss of power.
Long story short we called recovery and the AA patrol man turned up to assess the vehicle, on arrival the first thing he did was lift the bonnet and look down the off side of the engine compartment and pull out some remains of the fan belt, which was shredded. His first reaction was 'not another one'.
Turns out the fan belt had shredded and been sucked into the cambelt.
Vehicle is currently with Fiat main dealer and initial investigation has established the cambelt had jumped 5 teeth, timing has been re-set but engine only running on 2 cylinders, best case scenario is the rockers have taken one for the team, worst case engine is goosed. Vehicle just over 3 years old with less than 12,000 miles and full dealer service history. Turns out Fiat Dealers are not allowed to tell you to contact Fiat for support, who can offer up to 100% of repair costs depending on age, mileage and service history. Having asked around and visited a number of websites, this issue is well known both by Fiat and the mechanic world. I have contacted Fiat Customer Service and raised a case with them, but it is up to the Fiat dealer to contact Fiat, in the first instance, with a comprehensive report and request a 'goodwill gesture' towards repair, but if this is rejected it is down to the owner to pursue the case with Fiat.
Anyone else had direct contact with Fiat and what was the outcome?
Paul D
On a recent trip out in our 2.3l Ducato MH, while driving we experienced a 'slapping' sound coming from, what sounded like, around the steering column ( RH drive vehicle). This only lasted for a matter of seconds and then went away, no warning lights and no loss of power, so we continued.
On our return journey a couple of days later, we were coming down the slip road to join the motorway and as we accelerated to speed, the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree and we had a total loss of power.
Long story short we called recovery and the AA patrol man turned up to assess the vehicle, on arrival the first thing he did was lift the bonnet and look down the off side of the engine compartment and pull out some remains of the fan belt, which was shredded. His first reaction was 'not another one'.
Turns out the fan belt had shredded and been sucked into the cambelt.
Vehicle is currently with Fiat main dealer and initial investigation has established the cambelt had jumped 5 teeth, timing has been re-set but engine only running on 2 cylinders, best case scenario is the rockers have taken one for the team, worst case engine is goosed. Vehicle just over 3 years old with less than 12,000 miles and full dealer service history. Turns out Fiat Dealers are not allowed to tell you to contact Fiat for support, who can offer up to 100% of repair costs depending on age, mileage and service history. Having asked around and visited a number of websites, this issue is well known both by Fiat and the mechanic world. I have contacted Fiat Customer Service and raised a case with them, but it is up to the Fiat dealer to contact Fiat, in the first instance, with a comprehensive report and request a 'goodwill gesture' towards repair, but if this is rejected it is down to the owner to pursue the case with Fiat.
Anyone else had direct contact with Fiat and what was the outcome?
Paul D