[Abro]

Well, it's official. After 700 km the engine on my Spider is being replaced. After the diagnostics were run Fiat recommended a full replacement of the engine. It is shipping now and will arrive within a week. I haven't learned all the details with what went wrong but will post the details here as I learn them.
The original discussion started here Sound Advice

 

[dieseldad]

Sorry to hear that!!

Sorry to hear that and I am very curious as to what is wrong and what happened. Wow, I wonder if you are the first?

 

[TomM]

Bummer. The reliability of that engine was my only concern about this car, so that's not something I wanted to hear. I'll be very interested in your follow-ups.

 

[Alvon Elrod]

The probability is that you'll never be told what is wrong with the engine. FIAT does not want that information to be broadcast around the world with social media. Be happy that they are providing you warranty replacement, and you may have to let it go at that. It would be different if you were paying for it -- then you would have all rights to know exactly what you are paying for, but since it is warranty replacement, FIAT believes that they don't need to tell you anything. I could be wrong with all of this. I'm just speaking from experience I had with engine replacement on my Fiat 500 Sport. It was one of the earliest ones built (PE #18), and the engine started making noises around 23K miles, about 6 months before the warranty expired. Fiat wanted to monitor the noise for a while, and eventually replaced the engine at 30K miles in 2015, even though the warranty had been expired by about 6 months at that time. They were very friendly, and provided me a replacement car during the waiting period, but they would never tell me the problem with the car, and believe me, I tried very hard to get the information. The main crankshaft bearings were worn, but the suspected cause or any other information was not disclosed.

 

[Stewie]

Shucks that's pretty upsetting. After merely 700km the engine's gone. But the above is most likely true, they won't go into detail as to what failed but they'll definitely note it down in there books and keep an eye out for more instances like that. Real sorry to hear though bud

 

[Chipshot]

I can't help but wonder whether the engine was DOA and why no one from the dealer upstream to manufacturing detected it.

 

[Abro]

I can't help but wonder whether the engine was DOA and why no one from the dealer upstream to manufacturing detected it.

It's actually the argument I am making at the dealership with hopes for full vehicle replacement.

 

[A_Phunk]

I'm hopeful this was just a fluke on Fiat's part and not indicative of what's to come as people rack up miles in the Spider. I'm thinking of one as my daily driver and the engine is also what I'm truly worried about. At least Fiat didn't try some bullshit in not replacing it! They're probably trying to turn their reputation around on this model

 

[Greg]

I'm sorry this happened to you. It's pretty shocking as failures with these engines are ultra rare. Hopefully this isn't some new 124 specific problem. It would sure be nice if they would tell you exactly what component failed.

Greg

 

[Little Antonina]

It was probably a fluke. From what they say, the Spider has the same engine as the Abarth, and it's been out for awhile now. So, I'm hoping most of the engine related issues have been found and dealt with.

 

[zvezdah1]

the engine's pretty well established in the 500s tho. I haven't heard of lots of engine failures

I'm hopeful this was just a fluke on Fiat's part and not indicative of what's to come as people rack up miles in the Spider. I'm thinking of one as my daily driver and the engine is also what I'm truly worried about. At least Fiat didn't try some bullshit in not replacing it! They're probably trying to turn their reputation around on this model

 

[Unknownsir]

ouch!!!! i will keep my fingers crossed for you that they can see your side of things and you get another car.

 

[ferretgt500]

My engine makes the same ticking sound on idle. Should I be concerned? I called the dealer and spoke with two techs--they told me it was normal and the 500 Abarth made the same sound.

 

[Chipshot]

My engine makes the same ticking sound on idle. Should I be concerned? I called the dealer and spoke with two techs--they told me it was normal and the 500 Abarth made the same sound.

The venerable "they all do that". Has anyone ever found it reassuring?

 

[Greg]

It's really tough to diagnose sounds over the phone or internet. All these engines do make a ticking sound, that doesn't mean that all ticking sounds are OK, without an experienced person to hear it first hand, it's tough to say if it's an issue or not.

Greg

 

[algiorda]

It's really tough to diagnose sounds over the phone or internet. All these engines do make a ticking sound, that doesn't mean that all ticking sounds are OK, without an experienced person to hear it first hand, it's tough to say if it's an issue or not.

Greg

A properly engineered and maintained engine should not have a ticking sound. Most often, these sounds are caused by the valves, lifters, cam shaft, timing chain, etc. If the engine is performing within tolerances, and is properly oiled there should be no noise from the top end.

 

[iamz]

A properly engineered and maintained engine should not have a ticking sound. Most often, these sounds are caused by the valves, lifters, cam shaft, timing chain, etc. If the engine is performing within tolerances, and is properly oiled there should be no noise from the top end.

Just open the hood of any 2011 - 2016 Ford Fiesta with the 1.6 liter - they all tick like crazy. It's a solid little engine though.

 

[ferretgt500]

Here's a video of what I'm talking about. I hope I'm just being paranoid, but is this a cause for concern?

 

[Greg]

A properly engineered and maintained engine should not have a ticking sound. Most often, these sounds are caused by the valves, lifters, cam shaft, timing chain, etc. If the engine is performing within tolerances, and is properly oiled there should be no noise from the top end.

I understand why you would think this, but it's just plain wrong. Certain noises in this engine and others are normal, and cause no problems whatsoever.

I can remember a time when solid lifters were an option on new cars and they made a constant ticking sound. They also had more power than their non-ticking counter parts, so that sound was a giveaway that the car was the hotter version. If you drive an original Boss 302, Z28, LT1 Corvette, or various Dodge or Plymouth Muscle cars you will hear this sound, not to mention every Fiat ever made.

Now the engine in the new 124 does NOT have solid lifters, but it still has noise from the multi air mechanism.

Greg

 

[Chipshot]

You want quiet? Get an electric car. Sound = personality?