Technical Possible major engine failure at 8K

[markg6177]

Good evening all,

my names Mark and I have just joined this group looking for some advice please.

Day from hell last Saturday. Our Fiat Ducato RIMOR Motorhome broke down. Only 8K on the clock. Looks like the engine has completely seize? AA thinks possibly new engine?! 6 hours for recovery.

likely 10K plus to replace Engine.

Fiat Ducato 2.3L diesel, manual 2019. Brought just over a year ago on a private sale for 52K.

currently at Fiat dealership waiting to have a 1 hour inspection @ £120 an hour!

Fiat have no warranty details on their system, as it was apparently never registered from the importer M&C to Rimor to upload to Fiat. Fiat mentioned this might work in my favour regarding the warranty, but I think very unlikely.
there was a chance the 1st owner payed the additional £800 odd to extend the warranty to 5 years, and having messaged them, no help at all.

I had noticed some engine clatter, and some loss of power changing to 2nd/3rd gear in the last few weeks, especially when turning off the ignition, 3/4 obvious clatters. Took this to a local garage to inspect this noise, and carry out a major service at the same time. 2 weeks later likely complete engine failur.

sorry for the long post. But I can honestly say, it’s been the most stressful, depressing week in memory!

Has anyone else experienced such premature engine failure?

Any advice would be much appreciate.

 

[porta]

Sounds like a nightmare…engines are only as good as their maintenance, how old is it at 8k…standing still for long periods does them no favours

 

[markg6177]

Sounds like a nightmare…engines are only as good as their maintenance, how old is it at 8k…standing still for long periods does them no favours

Devastated mate. Only 2019. Was serviced when I collected 18 months ago. And again 3 weeks ago. Agreed, standing long periods without use is not good. But I guess this is standard with most motorhomes?

 

[porta]

Devastated mate. Only 2019. Was serviced when I collected 18 months ago. And again 3 weeks ago. Agreed, standing long periods without use is not good. But I guess this is standard with most motorhomes?

Yes, they come out once or twice a year and that’s it…we used to take ours out all the time just to keep it going and have our own brews out in the middle of nowhere or just make a weekend of it.
Hope Fiat come up trumps

 

[theoneandonly]

is it an early or late 2019 manufactured date not reg. if it is a twin egr model with such low mileage Fiat maybe more sympathetic, especially if it has the original ecu software version.

 

[markg6177]

Yes, they come out once or twice a year and that’s it…we used to take ours out all the time just to keep it going and have our own brews out in the middle of nowhere or just make a weekend of it.
Hope Fiat come up trumps

Since we brought it, we have covered over 4K in less than 18 months. Used regularly. 1,200 miles in France in two weeks starting using it instead of the car for day trips out. Can’t understand it?
Thanks. Hopefully Fiat play fair, but could be a long, painful battle.

 

[markg6177]

is it an early or late 2019 manufactured date not reg. if it is a twin egr model with such low mileage Fiat maybe more sympathetic, especially if it has the original ecu software version.

Hi it was registered March 2019. Sorry unsure if twin egr?

 

[theoneandonly]

Hi it was registered March 2019. Sorry unsure if twin egr?

yes it would be a twin EGR. These have had some issues from early manufacture read this

Ducato P0401 P0402 P0236 P0238 and limp mode its 2017 Euro 6, EGR changed, What do I check next | FIAT Ducato

Van is 2017 Euro 6 bought new , now with 26K on clock. Problems started this summer with dash engine light and code P0401 appeared on a country lane at low speed going into a corner so it would be low airflow going in to the engine as it wasn’t ‘working’. Bought FCR and cleared fault, happened...

www.fiatforum.com

Ducato twin EGR Engine with P0401 Code (2016 to 2019)

This does not refer to earlier single EGR systems or to later AdBlu SCR engines. Note this is a guide and not definative. It is up to you to make decissions. It is the result of my investigations of data from many contributors and discussion with...

www.fiatforum.com

A number of people have had significant help from Fiat with this issue but still cost £1000 labour.

 

[BaldEagle100]

Good evening all,

my names Mark and I have just joined this group looking for some advice please.

Day from hell last Saturday. Our Fiat Ducato RIMOR Motorhome broke down. Only 8K on the clock. Looks like the engine has completely seize? AA thinks possibly new engine?! 6 hours for recovery.

likely 10K plus to replace Engine.

Fiat Ducato 2.3L diesel, manual 2019. Brought just over a year ago on a private sale for 52K.

currently at Fiat dealership waiting to have a 1 hour inspection @ £120 an hour!

Fiat have no warranty details on their system, as it was apparently never registered from the importer M&C to Rimor to upload to Fiat. Fiat mentioned this might work in my favour regarding the warranty, but I think very unlikely.
there was a chance the 1st owner payed the additional £800 odd to extend the warranty to 5 years, and having messaged them, no help at all.

I had noticed some engine clatter, and some loss of power changing to 2nd/3rd gear in the last few weeks, especially when turning off the ignition, 3/4 obvious clatters. Took this to a local garage to inspect this noise, and carry out a major service at the same time. 2 weeks later likely complete engine failur.

sorry for the long post. But I can honestly say, it’s been the most stressful, depressing week in memory!

Has anyone else experienced such premature engine failure?

Any advice would be much appreciate.

Currently experiencing virtually identical at 14300 miles with a 2018 Fiat Ducato Motorhome and would like to share information. Bob

 

[markg6177]

Currently experiencing virtually identical at 14300 miles with a 2018 Fiat Ducato Motorhome and would like to share information. Bob

Hi Bob,
sorry to hear this. How would you like to share information? I’m still no where, and it’s been 4 months now.

 

[BaldEagle100]

Hi Bob,
sorry to hear this. How would you like to share information? I’m still no where, and it’s been 4 months now.

Are you OK with WhatsApp xxxx

 

[markg6177]

Are you OK with WhatsApp xxxx

Sure, will message you now.

 

[theoneandonly]

Currently experiencing virtually identical at 14300 miles with a 2018 Fiat Ducato Motorhome and would like to share information. Bob

What issues do you currently have , any error codes, data is needed for anything other than pure guesswork. Multiecuscan will be your friend. Try reading various of the guides.

What software/ hardware do i need to read OBD2 Codes

This a much bigger question than first appears. If we limit it to what is a cost effective DIY solution to "read my Fiat and simple maintenance issues eg change the oil in my euro 6 or add a new MAF sensor" then the answer for me reduces to...

www.fiatforum.com

If you get multiecuscan then contact me here or by pm and i can advise what testing is suggested then send me the data and i can look at it.

 

[Fredastaire]

Hi, I'm the owner of a 2017 twin EGR problem model, I'm also the originator of the now 27 page post on here for P0401 problems. Besides this I have over 50 years experience in stripping and rebuilding cars including engine work.
.
I would suggest finding a smaller old school garage. Whilst, yes, something has gone awry it will be repairable in its own right. My first query would be have you had the cambelt done? It may be that the belt has failed and valves have hit pistons, say. Should for instance this be what's happened then it would be repairable with new valves and maybe piston(s). Do be aware that should you go for an exchange engine that that said supplier company would not throw it away as scrap, they would strip, inspect them reassemble with new parts as needed.
.
Never ever will it be irreparable.

 

[markg6177]

Hi, I'm the owner of a 2017 twin EGR problem model, I'm also the originator of the now 27 page post on here for P0401 problems. Besides this I have over 50 years experience in stripping and rebuilding cars including engine work.
.
I would suggest finding a smaller old school garage. Whilst, yes, something has gone awry it will be repairable in its own right. My first query would be have you had the cambelt done? It may be that the belt has failed and valves have hit pistons, say. Should for instance this be what's happened then it would be repairable with new valves and maybe piston(s). Do be aware that should you go for an exchange engine that that said supplier company would not throw it away as scrap, they would strip, inspect them reassemble with new parts as needed.
.
Never ever will it be irreparable.

Good evening, unfortunately things have gone from bad to worse since my original post. I arranged recovery from Fiat Swindon to a local garage to Warminster to investigate the engine problem further. The AA cancelled the recovery multiple times. When they finally recovered the motor home they smashed it into a residential home causing severe structural damage to the rear of the motor home, and damage to the property. The local garage called me to report this incident while I was away on holiday in Spain. The AA did not report this to me once. They abandoned the recovery, and left it stranded in a lay-by on the A36 somewhere. Fortunately the local garage has cctv footage of this. I contacted my own insurance to step in. They had the RAC to recover the motor home from the local garage in Warminster to take to a compound ready for inspection on the damage. the RAC Recovery truck literally dragged my 52K motor home across the tarmac, causing more damage to the rear bumper/chassis. Again I have cctv footage of this. Insurance company have been trying to book in a cheap fill and paint repair job! I went to inspect the motor home myself. There is large structural cracks to top rear corner, side awing damage, rear upright corner sealing trims damaged/pulled away. Rear bumper damage. From day one I have refused a paint repair, only replacement panels. so in all I’m waiting for the body repair to be completed using replacement panels only from RIMOR Italy. Once this is finally completed, I will have the motor home recovered for a third time to the local garage to investigate the engine problem. This has been an extremely difficult 3/4 months, and sincerely hope no one else has to go through this incredibly traumatic experience. The way we have been treated by Fiat, AA,RAC, and my insurance company is unforgivable.

 

[marcostig]

Sounds like a nightmare…engines are only as good as their maintenance, how old is it at 8k…standing still for long periods does them no favours

Im running 26 year plus motors stood for a while ive never had any issues..8000 miles should never go must be abuse somwhere..these engines should last years with many more miles on them.Feel sorry for you.

 

[marcostig]

Good evening, unfortunately things have gone from bad to worse since my original post. I arranged recovery from Fiat Swindon to a local garage to Warminster to investigate the engine problem further. The AA cancelled the recovery multiple times. When they finally recovered the motor home they smashed it into a residential home causing severe structural damage to the rear of the motor home, and damage to the property. The local garage called me to report this incident while I was away on holiday in Spain. The AA did not report this to me once. They abandoned the recovery, and left it stranded in a lay-by on the A36 somewhere. Fortunately the local garage has cctv footage of this. I contacted my own insurance to step in. They had the RAC to recover the motor home from the local garage in Warminster to take to a compound ready for inspection on the damage. the RAC Recovery truck literally dragged my 52K motor home across the tarmac, causing more damage to the rear bumper/chassis. Again I have cctv footage of this. Insurance company have been trying to book in a cheap fill and paint repair job! I went to inspect the motor home myself. There is large structural cracks to top rear corner, side awing damage, rear upright corner sealing trims damaged/pulled away. Rear bumper damage. From day one I have refused a paint repair, only replacement panels. so in all I’m waiting for the body repair to be completed using replacement panels only from RIMOR Italy. Once this is finally completed, I will have the motor home recovered for a third time to the local garage to investigate the engine problem. This has been an extremely difficult 3/4 months, and sincerely hope no one else has to go through this incredibly traumatic experience. The way we have been treated by Fiat, AA,RAC, and my insurance company is unforgivable.

Oh just seen the full post they are all ..rap..dreadfull service looks like a taking to court situation..and full payback to you..fingers crossed..

 

[robin123]

Hi Bob,
sorry to hear this. How would you like to share information? I’m still no where, and it’s been 4 months now.

unfortunately the bad news is the the extended warranty that people are buying are not worth anything, there is always a excuse for not paying up,

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Good evening, unfortunately things have gone from bad to worse since my original post. I arranged recovery from Fiat Swindon to a local garage to Warminster to investigate the engine problem further. The AA cancelled the recovery multiple times. When they finally recovered the motor home they smashed it into a residential home causing severe structural damage to the rear of the motor home, and damage to the property. The local garage called me to report this incident while I was away on holiday in Spain. The AA did not report this to me once. They abandoned the recovery, and left it stranded in a lay-by on the A36 somewhere. Fortunately the local garage has cctv footage of this. I contacted my own insurance to step in. They had the RAC to recover the motor home from the local garage in Warminster to take to a compound ready for inspection on the damage. the RAC Recovery truck literally dragged my 52K motor home across the tarmac, causing more damage to the rear bumper/chassis. Again I have cctv footage of this. Insurance company have been trying to book in a cheap fill and paint repair job! I went to inspect the motor home myself. There is large structural cracks to top rear corner, side awing damage, rear upright corner sealing trims damaged/pulled away. Rear bumper damage. From day one I have refused a paint repair, only replacement panels. so in all I’m waiting for the body repair to be completed using replacement panels only from RIMOR Italy. Once this is finally completed, I will have the motor home recovered for a third time to the local garage to investigate the engine problem. This has been an extremely difficult 3/4 months, and sincerely hope no one else has to go through this incredibly traumatic experience. The way we have been treated by Fiat, AA,RAC, and my insurance company is unforgivable.

I remember reading this back in August. What an awful experience for you. Any update?