Ducato Newbie with a facelift

[Orbita]

Hi everyone! A complete Ducato-newbie signing in...

I have been playing with cars in my garage and sometimes even on the road for several decades now (longer than I dare to remember) but never had *anything* on wheels that was built on this century.

And now I will be messing up with a new Ducato camper with the 2.3 liter common rail euro5b engine!

I was laying under the car for almost an hour yesterday with a flashlight, identifying different parts and how it has been put together. I assume it looked amusing, since the car is still in the vendor's exhibition hall...

Anyway: now I must prepare myself with tools to get inside the brains of this latest hobby. I have looked around and seen comments of software like multiecsscan with kkl cable. I shall also get myself a datalogger dongle for continuous logging (I don't trust the DPF system before I observe how it actually works)... Oldfashioned! :devil:

But if anyone has any recommendations of compatible and usable software/interface systems and datalogger dongles, this newbie would very much appreciate all comments!

 

[rolopolo]

My recommendation in regards to your dpf (and any egr related issues some have) is use quality brand Diesel, BP, Shell as opposed supermarket brands which often are higher in sulphur and other ash generating stuff,
I'm on 165,000 miles on my 62 plate 3.0 euro 5, not had any issues with dpf or egr, etc

Oh and when servicing use again the correct low ash oils, stick to fiats Selina oil it's good.

Are you getting the new 2014/15 facelift model?? Or the earlier

If earlier, I suggest protecting your investment by sorting the scuttle or windscreen lower trim, (check my post a week ago)

Apparently the new 2014/15 on versions have been sorted and shouldn't leak, only time will tell,

Enjoy

 

[Orbita]

Hi rolopolo!

Thank you for the advice concerning high quality low ash diesel fuel and motor oil. They are well noted!

Are you getting the new 2014/15 facelift model?? Or the earlier

If earlier, I suggest protecting your investment by sorting the scuttle or windscreen lower trim, (check my post a week ago)

Apparently the new 2014/15 on versions have been sorted and shouldn't leak, only time will tell,

Enjoy

It's the new facelift one. Actually; since I had read several threads about the water ingress before visiting the dealer yesterday, I did a small comparison. There was the previous year model just beside this new hobby of mine, so I popped up the bonnet of both of them.

Looks like Fiat has changed the lower windscreen design a bit. Whereas the bonnet on the previous model ends sort of in between the headlamps, the facelift has lower profile headlamps and the bonnet is wider, with ends extending further, over the headlamps. Consequently; also the scuttle is longer extending further towards the corners of the car and over the headlamps. I also noted that whereas the scuttle/windshield lower plastic trim has a seam in the middle in the previous model (=two parts, left side part and right side part), the facelift has no seam (=trim made of one single part).

I hope those details make a positive difference, but will keep an eye on the water issue.

Thanks for the comments! And very interesting threads here in the FF!

 

[rolopolo]

Your welcome, not seen the new one up close yet, love the styling and those headlamps,
Salesman at my local dealer told me they've redesigned the trims and they don't leak, he's supposed to be calling me when he's one in so I can test drive, I just want to stand with a hose to the screen and see

Only time will tell, the fact there's no join in the middle is a positive

Enjoy it mate

 

[Crossingkeeper]

To take the thread lightly off-topic, one review mentioned that the facelift model has had the top strut mountings 'redesigned'......hmmm(noting that Rolopolo had his replaced under warranty!)

 

[Orbita]

... the facelift model has had the top strut mountings 'redesigned'...

Tried to have a look at the top mounting too to compare, but could not manage to do it at the dealer... I guess I was too shy!

 

[rolopolo]

Mines not the new facelift, it's 2yrs old in December, But they did say they have been modified (unsure on how accurate that statement is)

 

[Orbita]

... I suggest protecting your investment by sorting the scuttle or windscreen lower trim, (check my post a week ago)

Apparently the new 2014/15 on versions have been sorted and shouldn't leak, only time will tell,...

Long (=too long!) winter here while waiting for the nicer driving season...

I paid attention to the above comment, but maybe I'm not patient enough to wait and see if potential leaks have been fixed already at the factory? :chin:

I have had lots of fun with the Ducato in the garage and thought I'd share some photos of the "plumbing" I have done in the engine bay! I'll attach one here and there are seven more in the gallery department in my photos for those who like to look at crazy ideas...

I am optimistic that at least I'm not bringing any more water into the car!

 

[The Seasider]

As Ordita says ... i've bin "Plumbing" too ................ As luck would have it I was idly mooching about flea bay last week .... & came across a 2010 Citroen Relay being broken (Had bin Rear Ended) .. On the phone quick as a flash to see if it had an "Engine cover" still on it ...................................OH YESSSSS it DOES .... & it can be mine fer 25 quid .. (I couldn't get Paypal to load up fast enough ........) .... Now fitted along with a very nice "Painters kettle" attached under the join in the scuttle panel .. & from that a bit of 3/4 overflow pipe & an Elbow down to outside at the bottom ....

Yer gotta do these things ..it took me 25 minutes to complete it took Fiat 8 YEARS to re-design the bloody Scuttle !!!