Squealing Fiat Ducato 2.3 litre

Think you will find under eu commission laws that you can use any garage that is vat registered and they have to use genuine parts for servicing, warranty work is a different matter
 
Surely, it isn't up to you to sort this significant problem out?

Now we know that the noise only started after the Fiat garage had carried out a major service then you have the ammunition to throw the blessed book at them!

If you or any of your friends do as much as lay a finger on your engine then that presents the garage with a get out of jail card.

I am sorry to have to say this again, but if you want something done then you have got to start getting nasty.
 
My five bob is on the alternator drive belt, and, as a previous member said, don't spray it with WD40 as it's a lubricant as you need belts to grip but as if by magic [if it is the belt] said squeals should stop immediately albeit temporarily if you mist a little water on it whilst it's running. My Sprinter was making a dire noise that included sqeals and [bearing in mind it was only the belt that needed replacing] rattles and clonks!

The belt is either worn, and or the tensioner isn't pulling it's weight or far far less likely there's a problem with the alternator that's dragging more than it should be even after it's busiest time - start-up. I believe you can buy top quality belts that don't squeal if adjusted properly.
 
If you have registered the problem within your warranty period then it shouldn't matter if your warranty runs out before it gets fixed. It's when the problem was registered with the warranty provider that's the important date, not the repair date.
 
The Rock said:
If you have registered the problem within your warranty period then it shouldn't matter if your warranty runs out before it gets fixed. It's when the problem was registered with the warranty provider that's the important date, not the repair date.
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I totally agree with you, but in the case in question, if it is correct that the problem only reared its ugly screaming head after the garage carried out a major service then the claim is against the garage and is nothing whatsoever to do with Fiat.

I honestly can't understand the problem the OP is experiencing, they just need to go and camp across the entrance to the Garage and refuse to budge until someone agrees to undertake their legally binding responsibility to do the flaming job properly and without any further time wasting!!
 
Wooie1958 said:
I wouldn`t be too sure about that :mad:

They completely forgot they`d dropped the oil, taken the filter and filler cap off a Marea i put into them for service many years back.

Whenever i pick a vehicle up from a dealer i always have a good look round and lift the bonnet to check fluids etc.etc.

That`s when i immediately saw the filler cap was missing, further checks revealed oil filter, dipstick ad sump plug missing :eek:

They`d also completed a 5 mile test drive ( in that condition ) if you believe the paperwork as well o_O
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Engine would have been scrap.
 
One other thing to listen for is the cam belt tensioner wheel which has a inclosed/sealed bearing.
All the other things have been covered ex a turbo bearing,also push clutch in and if it goes away it could ether be release bearing or g/box front brg.
 
Definitely go to trading standards, especially as you have given them several opportunities to put it right and they have not been able to. We got a full refund when the supplier could not correct faults . You have the right to reject the purchase as not fit for purpose. Quoting trading standards did galvanise them into action but there were too many faults on ours that they did not put right in first six months. Put it in writing to the garage asap.I used a template letter and it was really simple.
Ps. Do the AA do independent inspections? Maybe they could do a formal inspection and the garage should pay, but check with trading standards.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjABegQIDxAF&usg=AOvVaw2HLD1f8YbPARLUMoZxDMj4
Good luck!
 
VWann said:
I wish we could use an old timer mechanic, we have a great one here in Dunoon. Unfortunately the van is still under warranty and Fiat insist that it is a Fiat Professional garage sort it , otherwise it invalidates the warranty.
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I have an old Hymer with a 2.5 turbo diesel which had the same problem resulting in the water pump being replaced. Problem sorted.
I would strongly advise against using WD40 which is in fact only a cleaner. When I was in the motor trade a common cure for a squeaky water pump was to use suds oil which lubricated the pump from the inside. For the uninitiated suds oil is a water soluble oil used as a coolant and lubricant when turning metal on a lathe. This is however only a temporary fix.
It is worth looking for a mechanic who specialises just in replacing water pumps as many garages find it cheaper to buy in expertise using someone who replaces pumps all the time. It is quicker and cheaper in the long run. Good luck.
 
Olliekuma said:
I have an old Hymer with a 2.5 turbo diesel which had the same problem resulting in the water pump being replaced. Problem sorted.
I would strongly advise against using WD40 which is in fact only a cleaner. When I was in the motor trade a common cure for a squeaky water pump was to use suds oil which lubricated the pump from the inside. For the uninitiated suds oil is a water soluble oil used as a coolant and lubricant when turning metal on a lathe. This is however only a temporary fix.
It is worth looking for a mechanic who specialises just in replacing water pumps as many garages find it cheaper to buy in expertise using someone who replaces pumps all the time. It is quicker and cheaper in the long run. Good luck.
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A spoonful of brake fluid does the same thing,wd as you say not good but for testing works to give a clue,not a fix.
 
Check belts to make sure they are tight and then dust them with talcum powder and it should stop, dont use sprays

Peter
 
VWann said:
Is there a mechanic out there that may be able to identify what is making the squealing noise coming from our van when we start up and it continues for a short period of time. If you stop and start again the squealing noise will start again. The van is still under warranty. The van has been in a Fiat Professional garage three times now to no avail. It has had the timing belt tightened and a new alternator fitted - none of which stopped the squealing. The garage even recorded the noise and sent the recording to Fiat but Fiat couldn't help.

The Fiat is our sole vehicle and professional Fiat garages are a fair distance away, which causes a great deal of inconvenience and expense so any thoughts would be much appreciated. We only have six months of warranty left. Some of you may have heard us leaving The Green Frog!
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VWann said:
Is there a mechanic out there that may be able to identify what is making the squealing noise coming from our van when we start up and it continues for a short period of time. If you stop and start again the squealing noise will start again. The van is still under warranty. The van has been in a Fiat Professional garage three times now to no avail. It has had the timing belt tightened and a new alternator fitted - none of which stopped the squealing. The garage even recorded the noise and sent the recording to Fiat but Fiat couldn't help.

The Fiat is our sole vehicle and professional Fiat garages are a fair distance away, which causes a great deal of inconvenience and expense so any thoughts would be much appreciated. We only have six months of warranty left. Some of you may have heard us leaving The Green Frog!
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I agree with previous posts about Fiat’s liabilities. I’d also try a little self diagnosis to see if the noise is better or worse when the headlights are on and the alternator is drawing load immediately the engine starts. Someone else mentioned that they had a similar problem. If it does get worse when under electrical load, it seems to point to a problem with the alternator, belt, tensioner or any pulleys. This information might help Fiat address the problem. We live in hope!
 
Mine does this occasionally too. It’s only a couple of times a year and stops after maybe 5 seconds. I’ve had the dealer look at it twice and everything is tensioned correctly, the alternator seems fine and there are no fault codes. The conclusion which I think a couple of people have mentioned is that it’s probably water getting onto a belt. For sure there is sometimes water in the scuttle and it seems to depend on wind, volume of rain because it’s not always there.

I would much prefer a solid diagnosis but I’ve decided not worry about it. We’re out of warranty now, but if problem does arise attributable to this, it’s at least logged and maybe Fiat will be kind. :unsure:
 
MarkJ said:
Mine does this occasionally too. It’s only a couple of times a year and stops after maybe 5 seconds. I’ve had the dealer look at it twice and everything is tensioned correctly, the alternator seems fine and there are no fault codes. The conclusion which I think a couple of people have mentioned is that it’s probably water getting onto a belt. For sure there is sometimes water in the scuttle and it seems to depend on wind, volume of rain because it’s not always there.

I would much prefer a solid diagnosis but I’ve decided not worry about it. We’re out of warranty now, but if problem does arise attributable to this, it’s at least logged and maybe Fiat will be kind. :unsure:
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Get a role of flame retardant material . Roll it into a tube shape and use tie wraps to keep it in shape. Place it along the front [ the pulley side] of the engine from above resting on the engine mount. It will provide a cover above the belt and pulley system.
 
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DO NOT use WD40 or any similar products, get yourself a spray can of "BELT DRESSING", toolstation. amazon etc, many places sell it just do a search on google, it is readily available, try spraying on only one of the drive belts at a time and if it stops squeal, then this will be the problem area. Belt dressing should not be considered a permanent fix, although it can cure these squeals for ages. It may perhaps let you isolate the problem.
 
Quintin said:
DO NOT use WD40 or any similar products, get yourself a spray can of "BELT DRESSING", toolstation. amazon etc, many places sell it just do a search on google, it is readily available, try spraying on only one of the drive belts at a time and if it stops squeal, then this will be the problem area. Belt dressing should not be considered a permanent fix, although it can cure these squeals for ages. It may perhaps let you isolate the problem.
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A drop of cooking oil will do ok just to find fault,silly to wast money on stuff just for that me thinks.
 
The noise is very likely to be water on the belts. We've had 3 180BHP Ducatos now, 2 x 3L and 1 x 2.3L. They all had the same problem - squeaking/groaning noise when started from cold - always after standing in the rain, and each cured by fixing the water ingress issues into the engine compartment. The Fiat garage said they'd never heard of it, even when I played them a recording, and wanted to do a full engine-out replacement of the water pump, which of course was nothing to do with it, but a good wheeze if you wanted to generate some warranty work.
 
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