Ducato Loss of power while driving

[EbW]

Hi,
I am new to this and have not been on a forum before.

I have a 4 year old Euramobil camper built on a Fiat Ducato 180 Multi Jet chassis.
It has done around 51000km sofar. Since last year Feb (2015) I have problems with the engine light (pump icon) coming on and immediately loose the turbo. I went to an official Fiat dealer in Christchurch NZ. They told me after their diagnostics, I needed a new booster solenoid at $500.00 a pop. They replaced the old with the new one and off we went. Unfortunately after about 6000km the light came on a gain and again loss of power. To the official dealer, this time in Dunedin, NZ, a diagnostics was done at $120.00 a pop and a new turbo charger was needed. Total replacement cost $4500.00. After replacing the turbo charger, the light stayed on. Another diagnostic and a new engine controller was needed. Another $2000.00 out of pocket.
Now after another 5 to 6000km, again engine light on in "mid flight" and no turbo again, while a full diagnostics was done 3 weeks earlier with no faults what so ever and I was told by the Fiat dealer, this loss of power (turbo) is done, because of preventing overheating/more damage to the engine. Have been in contact with Fiat New Zealand and got an answer like "get lost, we are not interested." I imported the unit myself and then there is absolutely no help.
Is there somebody with any idea what could cause these problems?

Thanks.
Kind regards,

Eb W.

 

[rolopolo]

Wiring loom from ecu to turbo,
Where loom joins ecu, it's fixed to a steel mounting tube via a cable tie, over time this can rub and wear through the loom wrap and outer wire plastic, and lets water in, just had exactly same done on my old 3.0 180, had to have a new loom made up by auto electrician

That's where I would start.

Check out my thread on here from a month or two ago, "money saving tip" or similar title (photos of loom etc)

 

[EbW]

Thanks rolopolo. Di a diagnostics and it came up with problems with the DPF. Codes P2002, P2455, P0131.

Will check the loom anyway.

Kind regards,
Eb W.

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks rolopolo. Di a diagnostics and it came up with problems with the DPF. Codes P2002, P2455, P0131.

Will check the loom anyway.

Kind regards,
Eb W.

A worn loom. Briefly joining several circuits..
Can bring on lots of odd faults.

 

[rolopolo]

Diesel and turbo specialist did code reads and after turbo fitted they then found the wiring, well worth a thorough investigation

Looks like yours is DPF related, first thing I would do is get her up a long motorway that you know is flowing well, sit her so revs are up around 3000 and keep going for 20 miles, and then same on way back, give dpd a good clean out, worth running Redex diesel injection cleaner through at same time, while it's forcing through, (enough for a 90ltr tank as some small bottles are for approx 50ltr tanks)

If dpf is blocked or ash content high,
Don't try fuel additive dpf cleaners as they're crap.
Either a specialist clean or internal rebuild, there is a product avail through euro car parts, a fluid, you remove dpf and pour fluid in and leave, it cleans out filter, how good I don't know,
That's if it's blocked or nearly blocked

 

[Deefordog]

Sorry but I can't offer any ideas other than to say that you shouldn't have been out of pocket by $1000's for replacement parts that haven't cured the problem.

 

[EbW]

I agree, but there is not much you can do. Closed shop so to speak with a so-called grey import. I feel I am the fool here for importing myself and loose any help from Fiat apart from paying a high price.

 

[EbW]

Thanks Rolopolo. Got the same information from a specialist and will go on a run shortly. The "check engine light' is gone now, but an awful lot of smoke while driving home.
Been advised, it is doing a self clean and regeneration. Still will check the loom for any damage. Have a problem with very faint amber warning lights, which to me indicates an earth fault in progress somewhere.

 

[rolopolo]

Regen needs to cover a good distance at high revs, to complete, high revs close or open the egr to allow the hotter gasses through to burn off the built up crud. Hence why you see lots of taxis and vans that stay in towns all day blowing smoke and smelling bad, they clog up but don't get chance to clean out/regen

Earth strap gearbox to chassis probably on its way out, worth replacing.

Some dash clusters 11> build had issues with glowing warning lights, my 2012 did and was changed under warranty. It's an issue internal to the cluster, mine was battery and one other faint glowing