Technical Fixing a Fiat 500X automatic gearbox

[AnthonyH]

I'm on the lookout for a damaged Fiat 500X that I can repair. On Facebook Marketplace there seem to be mostly automatic 500Xs, i.e. its about 80% automatic and 20% manual transmission for sale. Am i to assume that the automatic gearboxes in these cars aren't any good? Are the auto gearboxes difficult to repair or replace? Any opinions?

 

[Greasytrucker]

That’s quite an interesting read Anthony, looks like it depends which auto box you’re thinking about
https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/problems-with-the-automatic-gearbox.489181/

 

[AnthonyH]

Taking a look

 

[AnthonyH]

It seems the 6 speed unit is best, i had to google for that info though, and its still not obvious.

I've just been looking at the engines on a 500X and a lot of the petrol ones seem to be very heavy on the revs to get good torque. The best thing about my 1.6 L diesel is the pulling power, i've never owned a diesel so the torque is a surprise.

The torque on my 1.6L diesel is 320NM at 1,750 revs, but the 1.6L E-Torq (petrol) has 150NM at 4,500 revs.

How can those poor petrol engines cope with all those revs without blowing up?!

 

[Greasytrucker]

Diesels are a totally different driving style to a petrol, people don’t get what i mean if i say to them “stop revving it like a petrol, you won’t get any more out of it” Petrols will keep pulling right to the red line (and beyond sometimes) whereas over revving a diesel as a rule, just burns more fuel with no gain in acceleration as the power band is much lower down

 

[AnthonyH]

I think i got lucky in buying a 1.6L diesel, it is the best engine in the lineup.

I saw a 9 speed auto gearbox on ebay for £800+, so if i couldn't repair the unit a replacement would be very pricey, even the repair kit i saw was £200. A manual gearbox is around £250.

I had a look at changing the clutch on a 500X yesterday, its a lot more complex than for a GP. The front subframe has to come off, the front bumper and the exhaust manifold, blimey, hope i don't have to do that any time soon!