Hi everyone,

purchased a 2nd hand tipo estate last month. reasonably priced private sale and in pretty good overall condition

however, there are some issues with the car and i am hoping you guys can help me solve them

FIRST and prob biggest one is the performance. It seems to me to lack poke. I know it's only a 1.6 diesel but this car is below average mileage and for a vehicle that is only a few years old somethig is def missing from the perfromance

now if you go onto the What Car 2nd used tipo section of their website, they have something to say...in the ADVICE FOR BUYERS bit...it says:

"The Fiat Tipo is available with a couple of diesel engines that are both fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). To ensure that the DPF can regenerate (burn off the trapped soot), frequent motorway journeys are necessary because this process is only triggered when the exhaust is hot enough. Check how the previous owner has used the car if you are unsure because lots of urban journeys will clog up the filter.

Other potential problems with DPF-equipped cars come if it has been shut off part way through regeneration. The result is contamination of the oil system with fuel, which leads to the oil level rising gradually over time. This can cause damage to the engine, so it’s worth checking the oil level or have the car inspected if you are unsure."

so i am wondering if this is the problem??

anybody shed any light on this for me?

much appreciated,

John

Hi John

What engine are we discussing ?

Does it have a rated output ??


Have you run a DPF equipped diesel before... mainly to know which dashboard..and behavioural things to look out for..

Welcome !,I don't have a diesel but used to be in the trade so first thing to do is check the oil,if it's not overly high (diesel dilution) smell it,if it smells like diesel you'll need to get it changed as again it's being diluted, secondly if the oil seems ok fill it with a good quality fuel,V-power or BPs equivalent and take it for a good run (an old trick was not to use 6th gear as it drops the revs),you should see the mpg drop on the dash display as a regen kicks in, hopefully this will sort it for you.

My Tipo has the same engine, I've had it for two and a half years and done14600 miles mostly short distance, especially over the last year.

I've had the regen light on a few times and I just drive around until it goes out keeping the revs above 2500 rpm.

Not had a DPF issue.

What Car often gives generic reviews, which is what this is. They blow up small issues on the brands they don't like, and they don't like FIAT Group.

They play down major issues on the brands they do like, anything Volkswagen Group & BMW, these companies have had major problems, all played down.

So take What Car with a pinch of salt.

As regards the car, take it on a good long run, make it all nice and hot.

My biggest problem is the lack of performance, it feels slow. The chassis is in no way bias towards handling and the steering and chassis are totally lacking in feel.

However, a Tipo is very easy to drive and very comfortable, you can peddle along reasonably quickly, surprisingly so, it just doesn't feel like it.

Its difficult, I spent 7 years driving Abarth 500/595s and so no car will be the same, the Tipo being the polar opposite!

We bought it because we needed a spacious 5 door non SUV and as an easy to dive spacious car, its great. If it had a VW badge on it the press would lap it up.

I'd put dome diesel system cleaner through it as well, it all helps.

As I say, its likely your perception, not the car

I have the Tipo 1.6 diesel lounge SW. Performance is brilliant. I would say that if the DPF light is not illuminated then it isnt that which is causing the issue. If the car feels like the turbo is not kicking in then it could be a turbo/vacuum problem. I have never had the DPF light on my car and I do very short journeys. However, i do work in the motor trade so i know when my car is doing its own regeneration.

dave baxter said:

I have the Tipo 1.6 diesel I would say that if the DPF light is not illuminated then it isnt that which is causing the issue.

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The O.P. does need to check it actually lights at the 'self.test' though

dave baxter said:

I have the Tipo 1.6 diesel lounge SW. Performance is brilliant. I would say that if the DPF light is not illuminated then it isnt that which is causing the issue. If the car feels like the turbo is not kicking in then it could be a turbo/vacuum problem. I have never had the DPF light on my car and I do very short journeys. However, i do work in the motor trade so i know when my car is doing its own regeneration.

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This sounds plausible yes

Also sounds like it could be expensive if a new turbo is needed?!

I didn't even realise it had a turbo tbh

Remould said:

Welcome !,I don't have a diesel but used to be in the trade so first thing to do is check the oil,if it's not overly high (diesel dilution) smell it,if it smells like diesel you'll need to get it changed as again it's being diluted, secondly if the oil seems ok fill it with a good quality fuel,V-power or BPs equivalent and take it for a good run (an old trick was not to use 6th gear as it drops the revs),you should see the mpg drop on the dash display as a regen kicks in, hopefully this will sort it for you.

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for this. I'll try it and report back ??

varesecrazy said:

Hi John

What engine are we discussing ?

Does it have a rated output ??


Have you run a DPF equipped diesel before... mainly to know which dashboard..and behavioural things to look out for..

Click to expand...

Hi

It's an 1.6 elite multijet. And no I haven't run a dpf diesel before

Thanks

John

It is quite a laggy engine, the turbo comes in a bit of a rush, maybe you're driving style is different to mine, though...

I don't think there is a DPF issue, either.


Get it checked, if you want by a FIAT/Diesel specialist, if you're unable to do it yourself.

Don't take it to a dealer they'll charge £100 just to stick it on the diagnostic

Thanks Richard. Will do ??

My 2017 diesel always seems to have plenty of go, particularly lower down the rev range, it’s rather torque-y. It runs out of steam once the revs are up but that’s just diesels. However mine felt much perkier once I changed the fuel filter out. The old unit was absolutely filthy, surprisingly so given its low mileage. Might be worth making sure it has been/will be swapped out when it’s time for a service.

Wasn’t the Elite spec a “business” trim that was designed to give more economy? Does anyone know if that stifles performance?

That's a good shout on the fuel filter.

Didn't Elite just have sat nav and climate?

I don't recall a change in engine spec, just trimmy bits

RichardH13 said:

That's a good shout on the fuel filter

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And a £20 job..

Far better than spending more on 'diagnostics'

Batius finkius said:

My 2017 diesel always seems to have plenty of go, particularly lower down the rev range, it’s rather torque-y. It runs out of steam once the revs are up but that’s just diesels. However mine felt much perkier once I changed the fuel filter out. The old unit was absolutely filthy, surprisingly so given its low mileage. Might be worth making sure it has been/will be swapped out when it’s time for a service.

Wasn’t the Elite spec a “business” trim that was designed to give more economy? Does anyone know if that stifles performance?

Click to expand...

The Elite is far from slow. It has the most powerful engine of any of the Tipo Diesels 120BHP with 320 torque. I find mine very quick and pulls well in any gear.

I also have a petrol 1.4 but they are entirely different animals.

Derek

hollis said:

The Elite is far from slow. It has the most powerful engine of any of the Tipo Diesels 120BHP with 320 torque.

Derek

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I know the engine was the same but Fiat claimed higher mpg for the elite (nearly 10 more) so I didn’t know if they had fiddled with the gearing a little (for example changed the final drive ratio) which would lower the revs at motorway cruise (giving the extra economy) but at the cost of fractionally slower acceleration which would blunt its get up and go a little. The magic extra mpg came from something, I just didn’t know if that was anything to do with it feeling a little more sluggish than expected

I think maybe the final drive ratio may be different, or 6 gear is a bit longer.

They're a good buy, if you can find one

The Elite had a lower emission figure to make it more attractive to the Company Car driver tax wise. It also had different tyres with less rolling resistance which gave a slightly better MPG. I do not think the gearing was altered.

Derek

PS It also came with a host of kids toys all for under £20K. I purchased mine with under 2,000 miles on the clock (demonstrator) for £11,495. It was as new and still is.

Some models of the elite has s grill that closed to aid vechile warmup as well
Probably mainly in places like Norway and Sweden don't think it was a UK feature

Make sure the turbo is actually working. If the turbo is broken the car would be sluggish. Otherwise I find it to be quite zippy.