General peoples views on the FIRE engine.

Currently reading:
General peoples views on the FIRE engine.

Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
7,272
Points
1,554
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne.
Just wondering what people think of the FIRE engine. Good or bad. One of the best engines ever made, or one of the worst. I think these are some of the best engines made, especially the non contact versions (y)
 

H2DaE

Resident Hairdresser
Joined
Oct 21, 2005
Messages
4,394
Points
621
Location
Hampshire/Surrey
Well I don't own a Panda, but my Punto's one is awesome, no problems at all. It gets two thumbs up from me (y) (y)
 

Steven

Go on the Fiats!
Joined
Sep 26, 2003
Messages
23,879
Points
3,736
Location
Northern Ireland
I've had nearly a dozen cars with FIRE engines of all sizes from 769cc up to 1242 16v. I love them. If you maintain them properly they will never ever let you down.

I read a post by Barry along the lines of "Fiat should do the decent thing and drop the FIRE engines" and I couldn't disagree more. Fortunately we all know that Barry is a pushrod fanatic so his opinion is hardly valid. :)

My recent experience of a 903cc pushrod Panda convinced me never again to stray from a FIRE engined Panda.
 
OP
OP
C
Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
7,272
Points
1,554
Location
Newcastle upon Tyne.
Steve do you mean this quote form Barry... "About time Fiat did the decent thing and retired the old FIRE unit, its pre-historic now and the cars deserve better IMHO". Personally i think all fiat need in they small cars these days, are the FIRE unit, and the Multijet diesel.
 

Tony M

eh?
Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
3,093
Points
427
... I may be the odd oneout here, but as long as it does the engine thing then it doesn't really matter on the architecture... however as for liking the FIRE engine i may be biased... it could be improved
 

dave

******
Joined
Aug 10, 2003
Messages
125,246
Points
24,396
Location
Essex/Suffolk border
the 8v fire is a master piece, lost count of how many on here would be dead now if it wasnt for the safe bit :)
 

Tony M

eh?
Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
3,093
Points
427
dave said:
the 8v fire is a master piece, lost count of how many on here would be dead now if it wasnt for the safe bit :)
surely you're refering to the brakes...?
 

Tony M

eh?
Joined
Aug 20, 2005
Messages
3,093
Points
427
ah, got you... i thought you were refering to the drivers
 

FuzzyPanda

It's a bit noisy
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
2,758
Points
447
Location
East Yorkshire
I'm no expert but the 999cc in my Panda had proven a gem. The only thing to go wrong to date (touch wood) had been a rocker cover gasket in need of replacement and the alternator developing a rattle. Seeing as the alternator isn't critical to the engine's design, it's hardly worth mentioning.

The fuel economy has been superb, I've broken 50mpg several times and it rarely dwindles below 35-40 apart from when its legs are really being stretched. And, thanks to it's satisfying note, stretching its legs is no ordeal. The torquey nature of the engine also makes it more flexible than a plant designed for high-end power. 40-60 in 4th is dispatched with surprising ease, although the Panda's lacking kerbweight no doubt helps a lot.

It's squared up to every challenge and taken it on with ease, the only argument for an update could be it's slightly unrefined nature compared to other super silent petrols. :)
 

pyrogaz

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
Messages
52
Points
14
Location
Caithness
The FIRE is a great engine, bottom end is virtually bombproof, relatively high specific power output, torquey in the mid-range yet happy revving to the red line. A worthy successor to the classic SOHC. :) Only weak point seems to be head gasket:(
 

panda-sport

Essex Panda's R Us
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
1,124
Points
193
Location
Basildon, Essex
I can’t comment on the fire engine yet as this is my first and was bought broke! There is a 3x1 inch tear in the sump and the fuel filler pipe has been cut, does any one have a spare?

It is aesthetically pleasing compared to the old 903.... Damon
 

Sprox

1 Key operation!
Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,356
Points
269
Location
Cornwall!!!!!
Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!

Not once in 9 years have I had a FIRE engine break down because something in it broke. ok, yes some dodgy carbs butThey are quite capable of 200,000 miles. They were way ahead of their time when they were introduced and are still up to todays standards IMHO
 
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
13,105
Points
2,041
Location
Watford
I've had two 1.0 FIRE engined Uno's, and asides from the ancillaries (starter motor, alternator, distributor etc. which don't count as they aren't part of the engine design) I've never, ever been let down by engine failure in over 50,000 miles of driving.

Considering the FIRE concept is nearly 21 years old, it is still a revolutionary design. It's compact, light (especially considering the block is cast iron), torquey and very strong. It also used something like 20-30% LESS parts than the old pushrod engine. Less things to move = less weight = less things to go wrong = better efficiency.

On a run I've achieved 60 mpg, and round town never less than 40mpg. It's mid range torque is suprisingly strong and it has no problems with keeping up with modern day traffic.

In 8v guise, it isn't the most revvy of engines but that appears to be more down to the valves being restrictive. 16v and MPI versions rev better as the head flows more due to bigger valves.

It is a bit raucous at higher revs, but nothing like some of the engines that were around when it was released! Compare it with the BMC 'A' series engine and the Ford Crossflow and CVH and it is light years ahead.

Someone mentioned a weak point of the headgasket, but I've never suffered a failure (famous last words!) Like a lot of cars, failure is more likely down to the fact that the cooling system is never serviced. The coolant loses its anti corrosion properties over time, and the remaining coolant then does a good job of eating away the headgasket leading to failure. Flush through and change the coolant every couple of years and the headgasket should give hardly any trouble.

Saying that, the headgasket appears to be a weak spot on Cinquecentos and Puntos. I'm sure I read somewhere that it was down to lower torque settings used by the factory for some reason. Maybe if they were tightened down to the orginal torque there would be less of a problem?

The FIRE is getting a bit old now, but it still holds its own and is still a great engine. Don't forget that the MPI and 16v versions bring it up to date! I wonder if I could fit one of those into my Uno? :chin:
 

Oldschool

Banned
Joined
May 10, 2005
Messages
3,739
Points
523
Location
On da way 2 a new mission
The FIRE engine was meant to replace all engines fitted to GM cars up to 1400cc before the break up.
The new 1368 engines are so good that no mechanic I know of has seen one inside.
 

Nuova500

Czech It Out!
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Messages
6,779
Points
1,174
Location
New Milton, United Kingdo
Its a good engine no doubt, I loved it in the Cinq and Seicentos. However, wasnt too keen on the 1242 lump in puntos and the new Panda, it seemed a bit lifeless. The one we had in our old Panda 1000CL was rough as nails even though it had done only 26000 miles, maybe town driven. I find if they have been driven hard they seem sweet, but when driven slowly they seem to give trouble! Saw the new 1.4 in a Punto and it looks quite different. I was very impressed with it in the Grande I drove, much better than the 1242 8v.
 

pandafan

Don't polish it, DRIVE IT
Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
1,713
Points
286
Location
Haworth.
panda-sport said:
I can’t comment on the fire engine yet as this is my first and was bought broke! There is a 3x1 inch tear in the sump and the fuel filler pipe has been cut, does any one have a spare?

It is aesthetically pleasing compared to the old 903.... Damon
If it's not an omega rear axle, just send your address and postage
 

panda-sport

Essex Panda's R Us
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
1,124
Points
193
Location
Basildon, Essex
pandafan said:
If it's not an omega rear axle, just

Hi Pandafan

Thanks for the offer, but it is an omega rear axle.:eek:
I think I can patch it temporarily with a bit of pipe and a couple of jubilee clips. (y)
It’s the sump that is my main priority at the moment, getting fed up of pushing the car in and out of the garage (it’s a bit of a tight fit).:rolleyes:


Cheers Damon
 

smokeme

Established member
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
1,308
Points
231
Location
Lisbon-Lourinhã, Portugal
Oldschool said:
The FIRE engine was meant to replace all engines fitted to GM cars up to 1400cc before the break up.
The new 1368 engines are so good that no mechanic I know of has seen one inside.

I agree on that, i had a real hard time getting my hands on one (found one in a wreck)

i do think they could be squeezed a little more, at least get 100hp stock:cool:
 
Top