[EDortiz]

Had to have my water pump replaced on the 2018 Fiat 124 with just 4600 miles took 7days to find one and install

My water pump was found minor leaking after about 2500 miles when I took my new 2018 124 spider in to to have the faulty thermostat replaced (both replacements were done under new car warranty about four months ago). Took the car in one morning and got it back in the afternoon of next day so looks like certified Chrysler Fiat dealers in Southern California have no problem getting the parts.

 

[Cruise42]

Had the exhaust on my 2018 Abarth upgraded yesterday. Got a call from the shop that they found that my water pump was leaking. Looks like I need to waste time on a warranty repair

 

[Calehedron]

My water pump was found minor leaking after about 2500 miles when I took my new 2018 124 spider in to to have the faulty thermostat replaced (both replacements were done under new car warranty about four months ago). Took the car in one morning and got it back in the afternoon of next day so looks like certified Chrysler Fiat dealers in Southern California have no problem getting the parts.

I doubt either were faulty. If you got it back in less than 2 work days, I would be willing to put big money on the RTV on both of them.

 

[Cruise42]

What a clusterfuck.... I spoke to the dealer about replacing the water pump. Asked them to order it ahead of time so I don't have to waste time. They did and all seemed good.... Dropped off my car and had to wait 2 more days to get it back because they didn't have the right gasket in stock.

Finally picked up the car and re-installed my Seletron Chipbox. Engine warning light, electrical fault light, OBD II diagnostic shows a problem with a turbo sensor... Car drives like it has 50% power.... WTF???

Pop the hood when I'm home and find that the techs had disconnected the Seletron wiring harness going to the Pierburg sensor. I re-connect it and everything feels right again....except the engine and electrical warning lights are still flashing on my dash. Took a short drive and came back home.

I parked the car and turned it off and then I heard a strange noise from under the hood. I popped the hood and recorded what sounded like a laboring pump. It sounded like a seal barking. Unfortunately, I can't attach a non-image audio file here. After a few minutes, the car fully shut down and the noise stopped.

I'm letting the car cool down and then will check again without the Chipbox installed. Any advice for how to solve this without another dreadful dealer visit?

 

[Calehedron]

First, there is no gasket. None, nada, zilch. It's just RTV. They straight up lied to you if that's what they said. I have provided the pictures multiple times. Go find one on the exploded engine view, I would bet a pinky finger you won't find it.

Second, not having the boost sensor break out cable hooked up would confuse the piggyback. You need to clear the CEL from when it wasn't hooked up. It will clear on its own in 3 to 4 decent drives or you can clear if you have an OBD dongle or you can pull the negative battery lead for 30 minutes (step on the brake pedal a few times after disconnect) and then reconnect but that clears EVERYTHING learned. Not a huge deal but it will take 100-150 miles to settle back in again for best performance.

Last, that sound you heard was the turbo cooling pump that runs after shutdown when the turbo exceeds a certain temp. It heading into summer and you will hear it more and for a longer time. Just like the radiator fans that run for a few minutes after shutting down the engine, this cools the turbo bearings to keep them from sludging up. In the old days, you idled the engine for a few minutes before turning off. Now they are smart enough to do it for you.

 

[Cruise42]

First, there is no gasket. None, nada, zilch. It's just RTV. They straight up lied to you if that's what they said. I have provided the pictures multiple times. Go find one on the exploded engine view, I would bet a pinky finger you won't find it.

Second, not having the boost sensor break out cable hooked up would confuse the piggyback. You need to clear the CEL from when it wasn't hooked up. It will clear on its own in 3 to 4 decent drives or you can clear if you have an OBD dongle or you can pull the negative battery lead for 30 minutes (step on the brake pedal a few times after disconnect) and then reconnect but that clears EVERYTHING learned. Not a huge deal but it will take 100-150 miles to settle back in again for best performance.

Last, that sound you heard was the turbo cooling pump that runs after shutdown when the turbo exceeds a certain temp. It heading into summer and you will hear it more and for a longer time. Just like the radiator fans that run for a few minutes after shutting down the engine, this cools the turbo bearings to keep them from sludging up. In the old days, you idled the engine for a few minutes before turning off. Now they are smart enough to do it for you.

Thank you for the expert advice! I'll give it a few days to clear up and find a new dealer for future service.

 

[LongDukDong86]

I only have about 1,500 miles on my 2018 Abarth and found a puddle of liquid underneath the passenger side fog light. I opened the hood and see the coolant level is at the low mark. Is this water pump failure?

 

[Cruise42]

Sounds similar to mine. I didn't have a puddle, but overflow reservoir was at low.

 

[boddle88]

If you are 2018 and finding coolant puddles it seems like its water pump time based on a lot of posts on here.

 

[Scajacuada]

Greetings all, I’m new to this forum. Bought a lovely used ‘18 124 Classica with 7400 miles. At 7800 miles I noticed the green fluid on the garage floor. Coolant. Drove it in denial but eventually relented and brought it in for service. Water pump. Had to order it; back ordered due to COVID-related supply chain issues. Replacement scheduled for Monday. My only concern is the mental image of Dodge RAM mechanics working on the Italian 1.4 engine. I hope they train them well because I cannot think of two more dissimilar machines than a RAM pickup with a big block V8 and the 124.

 

[Scajacuada]

Update. Still at the shop. Replacing timing belt with water pump (FIAT recommend?) and there’s another 124 in for the exact same service. So, patience and a couple more days.....too bad because it’s perfect top-down weather out there rn.

 

[hefbadr]

Hopefully the "tech" does the other car first and gains some experience before doing yours. All indications on the forum point to a poor RTV seal at the pump, and not the actual pump...replacing a timing belt that also drives the water pump is considered standard procedure. I wish you the best of luck in this potential can of worms....keep us posted....

 

[Scajacuada]

Update. Still at the shop. Getting the silent treatment now....

 

[rexracerx9]

It's very possible parts are delayed. Or there is only one Tech available to do the repair. Does Fiat offer loaners for warranty repairs that take more then a day?

Hope you are back on the road soon.

 

[FLAbarth]

Mine needed it replaced last year and then again this year. Two different dealerships and both occurrences took 1 month before I got my car back. I wish you luck! I'm not looking forward to next year's replacement.

 

[Scajacuada]

Ok work completed. Water pump, timing belt and two mysterious plugs. All under warranty. There’s another ‘18 124 in the shop getting the same repair. Drove home top down; all is forgiven. Am I that frivolous?

 

[FLAbarth]

Ok work completed. Water pump, timing belt and two mysterious plugs. All under warranty. There’s another ‘18 124 in the shop getting the same repair. Drove home top down; all is forgiven. Am I that frivolous?

The timing belt? Very strange.

 

[hefbadr]

Not really...timing belts are not supposed to be reused once removed...standard protocol for years....

 

[Scajacuada]

Agree. The mechanic said Fiat procedure is to change the timing belt when the water pump is replaced.

 

[rexracerx9]

Ok work completed. Water pump, timing belt and two mysterious plugs. All under warranty. There’s another ‘18 124 in the shop getting the same repair. Drove home top down; all is forgiven. Am I that frivolous?

I wonder if the "mysterious plugs" are freeze plugs? Good to hear your all put back together and back on the road. Enjoy the decent weather while it's still around!