Technical It’s over before it’s even started!

[JimSchush]

It is now a week since we had the new ECU fitted and today we had our second trip travelling from Wareham to Exmouth, a trip of about 80 miles taking us to 150 miles since the ECU was fitted.
To date the EML as not comeback on however I still don’t think the van is fully fixed yet. The van is still not driving as it was and I have noticed the following.

1 under acceleration the van doesn’t feel as responsive as it previously did.
2 it still only feels like I’m getting 80% power. This is especially noticeable on hills and I find I am changing gear a lot more. The van is a 150bhp and normally goes like a train up hills even when loaded.
3 Whilst driving the van at a steady speed under load It feels like a slight pulsing coming through the accelerator pedal. My wife doesn’t feel anything as a passenger. Again it feels like I’m not getting full power.

When we get home I am going to find a mechanic who can check the suggestion of @Anthony489 .

Any other ideas welcome and I will keep the forum updated to any developments.

 

[JimSchush]

A quick update, we took the vehicle back to the Fiat Professional garage, after further checks and a leak off test they informed me that all 4 injectors needed replacing.
Job done same day and 1 week later and almost 600 miles on the road the van now feels right.
Thanks for everyone’s input.

 

[CheeseMonster]

A quick update, we took the vehicle back to the Fiat Professional garage, after further checks and a leak off test they informed me that all 4 injectors needed replacing.
Job done same day and 1 week later and almost 600 miles on the road the van now feels right.
Thanks for everyone’s input.

Thanks for this update.

I'll keep adding Millers in the hope the same injector issue doesn’t befall our twin egr.

 

[JimSchush]

Thanks for this update.

I'll keep adding Millers in the hope the same injector issue doesn’t befall our twin egr.

I am now considering whether to use an additive or premium diesel or both, more research needed.

 

[CheeseMonster]

I am now considering whether to use an additive or premium diesel or both, more research needed.

I log data using MES on most journeys and send them to @theoneandonly, he can tell you what my injector variance is.

Perhaps I should also monitor my own data, plotting variance and flagging up when it reaches a certain level.

 

[RichyWHL]

A quick update, we took the vehicle back to the Fiat Professional garage, after further checks and a leak off test they informed me that all 4 injectors needed replacing.
Job done same day and 1 week later and almost 600 miles on the road the van now feels right.
Thanks for everyone’s input.

Hi Jim. I was wondering how your engine is now after all this time. We've had the P2146/12 code recurring, though once cleared it has returned randmoly with both a local and FIAT garage saying it could be injectors or ECU! On a recent trip to Europe the EML came on several times, once when a front window was operated! And most strange; I've been managing to clear the light by turning the fan to 4, then just as I start the engine(after warm-up lights go off) I whack the fan down to off and the EML goes off. I managed this trick a few times though once it cleared of it's own accord after being parked up for two days. I've obviously been reluctant to spend the money on new injectors and/or ECU as it seems it's not clear cut, so I firstly want a thorough check on wiring and earth strap(as has been suggested). I just wanted to add my experiences and quirks to the thread in case anybody has any new advice(particularly with the way I've cleared the EML) or this helps anybody else. The light is back on now so will take it in to get code read. Thanks.

 

[JimSchush]

The van is running fine now (touch wood), we have done nearly 10,000 mile since the repair including 2 European trips (currently in Benidorm).
We are still using the diesel additive on every tank and the exhaust is still clean and fuel economy is still good.
Looking back on the problems that I had I think it may have have been caused by water ingress into the bonnet especially over the ECU.
I have sealed the windscreen and I check the drain holes on a regular basis.
I hope you find a good garage who can sort out your issues. Adam Morley’s in Portsmouth were very good with us.

 

[RichyWHL]

The van is running fine now (touch wood), we have done nearly 10,000 mile since the repair including 2 European trips (currently in Benidorm).
We are still using the diesel additive on every tank and the exhaust is still clean and fuel economy is still good.
Looking back on the problems that I had I think it may have have been caused by water ingress into the bonnet especially over the ECU.
I have sealed the windscreen and I check the drain holes on a regular basis.
I hope you find a good garage who can sort out your issues. Adam Morley’s in Portsmouth were very good with us.

Glad to hear it. I just got back from the garage with a list of faults(groan) one of which is again, P2146/12. FIAT in Hounslow did a test last year which cost a whopping £550, just for testing!!! All they said was it could be ECU or injectors, which is what local garage had told me, though they did test injectors and found no.4 wasn't great. Do you feel the injectors was the final fix, I'm thinking of that route rather than ECU currently, and also to put some cleaner additive in as across Europe we've no idea of the quality of fuels we've put in! Thanks for your speedy reply earlier. Frustrating business!

 

[JimSchush]

When our vans EML first came on we made the mistake of allowing the recovery company to turn the warning light off using a diagnostic machine.
We took the van to Adams Morey, they did some checks and also an injector run off test. The result of this test was inconclusive, the technician said although not ideal he had seen worse.
A couple of weeks later the light came back on and when we went back to the dealer they said we needed a new Ecu.
That was done and we got the van back but it still was not 100% right.
I took the van back to the dealer a week or so later and they test drove it again with me and the tech still said the van drives fine. Due to heavy traffic we could not replicate the faults I was describing. They agreed another run off test of the injectors but this time the result was totally different. All 4 injectors were above the tolerances so needed replacing.
Looking back I think we probably could have got the injectors a little cheaper but we were miles from home so we had no option.
I would still recommend the dealer.
Hope this info helps!
As a separate issue the vans mpg dropped quite significantly whilst the van had issues.

 

[JimSchush]

I know the issue has been discussed before on various Forums and there’s also a number of videos on You Tube, but is it possible that the high number of mechanical/ electrical problems that seem to follow the Fiat Ducato (and other similar designed vans) is it anything to do with the poor windscreen water dispersal design?
I have looked at several other similar vans and motorhomes and I am amazed how many have blocked scuttle drain holes and failed windscreen seals.
The volume of water that flows off a motor home roof (especially if it’s slightly nose down is considerably). If your drains are blocked and your lower windscreen has failed the amount of water entering the engine bay is considerable and the damage that it will cause will cost you thousand to repair.
I would be interested to get other forum members opinions on this matter,