Fiat Ducato Questions & Answers (page 3 of 3)

DONT KNOW

no I deal with panel beaters they say just use a good quality polish and keep it under cover if possible

Thanks

belts

They have a chain...NOT A BELT.

yes i can dont have that problem

i havent had that problem only problem i have had is gearbox

You will need to read the onboard computer with a OBDII scanner. The MIL light (malfunction indicator light) comes on when a fault has registered 3 times consecutively. A code will indicate what needs looking at.

Hi Dave, Mate to be honest i am not surprised by your experience they are just plagued with issues mainly with the drivetrain and technical sesitivity of the electrical and operating systems.

After getting quite a lot of feedback and pushing for answers i was provided with some but not all the info but what i did get was alarming and to be honest disappointing given how much these things cost to purchase. The electrical system that controls the clutch actuation both the hydraulic and electrical side of it yes there is 2 different sides and they cost about $18k to replace and are a NON SERVICABLE part they are very sensitive to voltage drop and if your alternator is not producing 14.4 volts or whatever there optimum output is the trick the system to run at lower voltage and therefore everything will not operate at 100% as it should and eventually it continues to run at lower voltage and over extended time frames learns to work at these and will fail due to this issue and its a costly one given the parts for these things are horrendously expensive.

Your issue of no gears detected sounds very familiar as our old van did it on a regular basis it was an AUTO i understand the manual version is less prone to failures. It would be plugged into the diagnostic computer and the mechanic would adjust the system update the software or I’m guessing reset it and get it out of the workshop as they didn’t know. Cricks Mt Gravatt in Brisbane would be the most incompetent workshop ever. The service manager doesn’t know his product not sure he even knows which side the steering wheel is on.

Have them look at he DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL as we now know that was the cause of the entire problems with our van and it was never picked up as the computer didn’t tell them to look there and they never looked either. We were told that if it had been picked up the first time none fo these problems would have carried on reoccurring over and over so that’s where I would get them to look. The springs in the face DUALMASS FLYWHEEL break and then don’t take up the shock of the flywheel and gearbox thrust and its then transferred straight to the gearbox and clutch which is the weakest point and then the no gears error comes up.

I did hear the sound of a pump when the drivers door opened and assumed it was the fuel pump or electrical system activating but its probably something to do with the clutch. It ran for about 10-15 seconds. After sitting down with the service manager at East Coast Commercials in Brisbane at Acacia Ridge on multiple occasions i did learn quite a lot about these things and some of the issues they experience. They are very technically operated and by a lot of systems requiring a lot of power and as I said earlier if its only slightly own will effect everything and how it works. It then learns and teaches itself to operate at these lessor amounts.

After about a month of testing and conversation with FIAT TECHNICAL in MELBOURNE it was finally fixed it had a complete new hydraulic and electrical gearbox actuator dualmass flywheel and a host of other things fixed which FIAT covered the entire cost of close to $40k in parts and labour. Because i refused to pay even before any work was done given its history of failures of the same parts each time i pushed that fact and they knew i wouldn’t pay because i had even sent emails to FIAT in MELBOURNE saying the same outlined all the costs we incurred and the history so they agreed.

The clutch operates at about 45bar or higher which is a massive pressure and it blows the slave clutch as that is the weakest point in the system and expensive

We didn’t put the old van back to work i took it and flogged it off on a new Ute for my father and told him to retire and he didn’t need to be wasting money of the piece of crap anymore he was basically working to pay for repairs never made any ones for the last 6-12 months due to breakdowns and the expensive repair bill. We were told that in order to get it back to a good operating condition it would be a $30k+ repair bill it needed injectors but the injectors don’t come out of the head due to design of water getting into he engine bay and sitting on top of the head and injector ports and then fusing the injectors in and even though they heated one to very high temps were unable to press the injectors out so a new head and injectors was required new front shock towers and shocks, brake rotors brake pads wheel bearings and paint as it started to peel off. When i polished it to sell it i could only allow extremely light pressure to buff it up or the paint would come off. East Coast did say they would have tried getting the paint fixed if we were keeping it.

Although i say East Coast fixed it we were never comfortable driving it anymore than 30km to charge the battery then park it and the gear changes were never smooth and it still jerked and lurched at every gear change. Then the starter motor would work. They go to sleep as it was told to me by FIAT technician so he told me to hit it with a hammer to wake it up and it actually worked was the cheapest fix we ever had.

I would recommend East Coast Commercials at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane to anyone to get a FIAT worked on as they are more than happy to sit and discuss and explain the whole vehicle and its issues with you and keep you informed of its progress 10 out of 10 for me which i never give full points to anyone as its hard these days to get that sort of old fashioned service so its was well deserved.

Cheers

GRUNT

Hi Jeff, I have 30 Oil filters in stock. Please call me if you have no luck with the strut assembly.
Ram Gounder
South Coffs Motors
0266514877

Hi, from personal experience I would never purchase any vehicle with a Fiat badge on it again. They are very expensive to repair and they are very technically and voltage sensitive and it does not take much of a drop in voltage for them to start to breakdown and systems to operate at lower voltage and incorrect pressures leading to very long term and expensive repairs.

I can only go on what i have read from the internet and personal experience of the 2011 model but they don't have a good name no matter who you speak to. Fiat are also very difficult to deal with and wont answer to many questions directly and try and avoid straight answers.

If you are considering buying a Fiat i would speak to a Fiat Dealership or Authorised Service Centre (not Cricks Mt Gravatt very bad) obtain all the engine, VIN numbers and possibly have them give you the service history of the vehicle. I ont know if you could get a RACQ or similar to inspect and give a report it will cost but may be worth while. If it is an comformatic auto i would steer clear the manuals seem to be better but not great.

At the end of the day its your money and you can spend on what you like, but I wouldn't be buying one. There are plenty of commercial vehicles on the market that are far superior to Fiat

I couldn't tell you. I had a 2014 ducato van and had lots of problems and Fait took 2 years and 16 visits before they replaced my van but the new 2017 van they replaced it with is spot on. I have had no trouble at all with it at all.

Thanks. I appreciate your opinions and will consider them. I am very hesitant to buy. again thank you

I have a 2008 Ducatto, which i brought new.Vehicle has done just over 100,000km.To date the clutch,master,and slave cylinder have been replaced,including the reservoir, that failed at a separate time.The accumulator has now failed twice,and been replaced.
The throttle valve assembly has also been replaced twice.
I have written extensively about these problems in this forum, please see in detail the problems encountered.

All those Euro imports no matter what make are assembled, mass produced without relevant endurance tests, from Argentine engine blocks and components to Chinese made bearings. A recreational vehicle should be designed as such, from suspension to engine components and wiring harnesses, reliability becomes void.
Toyota however is totally over kill, brilliant on all components, minimal maintenance, Toyo bearings excellent transmission plus you can get spare parts cheap and easy.
My old Hiace Toyota van work horse has completed 500,000 klm, . compression test average 98%, oil consumption zero, maintenance cost, replaced starter motor and alternator. Long term the euro designs will be a curse on your wallet . As a retired service manager many problem and issues were incurred with the Euro made Ford and Opel Holden GM and the very temperamental Fiats since 1950. None of those engines had a long term life prospective . The current Euro's have turbos fitted of course without them you may not get over the medium slope. The main issue however that most local service centres simply "don't have a clue mechanically about the euro imports, just trial and error and to replace all the associated parts or sensors in anticipation of "bingo" it runs. I do agree that a lemon can pop up in any brand of vehicle however look around my friend ...Toyota rules long term especially in the outback.. You can now buy the Toyota RV imports for a ridiculous price, reliable ; minimum maintenance and proven long term durability. Fact is most euro imports "suck" ......on your wallet.

only thing is that I had was the battery on the key was flat

It only had 150,000 klm on the clock after the new one was installed I put so much money into this van I paid $27,000 then spent close to another $10,000 and then the Clutch issue again amongst a lot of other things so I sold it with 1 month Rego for $2200 so it owed me $37,000 so tell me when you need wheels for a living then have it of the road and pay for a hire van at $90 per day and two weeks latter what would you do get rid of the junket money pit of rubbish for good I have a hiace now starts goes and always had Toyota will never buy anything ells again

Unsure about a vehicle for your needs. I just know that our Fiat Ducato Motorhome has had problems from the onset and the repair bill to replace clutch and master cylinder along with a minor service was over $9,400.00! Personally I would choose any vehicle that is not a Fiat Ducato.

i have a fiat ducatto and they are a frigging insult to automotive technology they are terrible

Hi Barry,
Sorry to hear that. We haven't had that problem but please let us know what it is when you find out. We have a fantastic Fiat dealer here in Redcliffe Qld. They are very professional and have the Fiat computer system called the Executor that would show the fault immediately. There number is
07 34808600. Our fiat mileage is around 48, 000 with no problems so far. Çheers Suzanne

The only problem I have had is the paint is not good on mine other people have had same problem with paint work to

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I really don't think the paint work would have anything to do with the cruise control but thanks for your input I do appreciate it.

havent had this problem with cruise control.However have had the problem where vehicle goes into neutral every time you stop,the accumulator had failed again

As long as you need though I would recommend leaving at least roughly at least 8 hours or so in between coats or if you can afford to pay for the vehicle to be professionally re sprayed at a panel beaters shop plus they have a section to make the paint dry faster

Thank you but vechile was still on warranty and fiat would not listen to me I have finely had it done now but they should recall them asine is not the only one like this

The best place if directly from the Fiat vehicle dealer or the Fiat parts devision or you get a locksmith to put in a even better lock if you like