General Fiat 500X sport Head gasket gone / warranty 2021

[Hattie]

Hiya all. Brought my 500x sport about 2 months ago IF THAT, an the head gasket has gone. At first it starting in limp mode, machine said cylinder misfire. Then the coolant temp message comes on. No water in, topped up by the end of the next day it needed filling again as it had all gone. No leaks visible so more than likely going into oil/fuel. (Can't remember which one they said)
Car is under warranty so the car has gone back. However my question is I've not been able drive the car for two weeks and it isn't even being fixed yet as they've ordered parts and one of them is arriving from Italy? Does that sound about right? Maybe because it's a newish car?

They must be trying to fix it rather than a new engine. I thought those engines (1L Cylinder) were a bit of a throw away engine as opposed to the older more fixable engines.

 

[s130]

From my experience with the "old" Fiat "Zone Managers" (Zone Manager looks after technical and customer care in their region) then they were very good. Example: My then Fiat Stilo Abarth when new in Aug. 2002 went on a trip to Italy. On return at 3368 miles in Sep.2002 the engine developed a rattle, something internal. An engine replace was immediately authorised with the manager saying "we could strip it down, measure everything etc. taking time and inconvenience to me and still not possibly fix the problem. Better to put a new engine in and send the old one back for investigation".

I've no real recent experience with the "New" / "Current" after sales technical and customer support but I would think that at 2 years old and 33,000 miles and if the garage has a fairly certain idea that it is the head gasket and not a cracked block or head then I doubt a new engine would be authorised.

You could ask but I think a better approach is to let them get on with the work, get a loan car FOC, and if the repair fails then ask to speak to the zone manager and discuss. E.g. cracked block or cylinder head, ....... "I want my car back!"

As for parts I'm afraid over the years Fiat UK have drastically reduced their stock and "back/factory orders" are quire common now. If the part is in stock in Italy/Europe then it is usually about two to three days. If only in Italy and they are on annual shutdown then it can be weeks. Same goes for if Fiat have no stock and they have to go to their supplier of the part.

Generally I don't think many manufacturers carry the vast stocks they used to.

 

[s130]

Thanks for the thumbs up Hattie

It is always very difficult to give advice without full technical and/or other data to comment on.

The good point in your favour, which I failed to stress/mention, is that you (as you say) are still in Fiat's manufacturer's warranty period. This puts the ball firmly in Fiat's court even though you may be anxious of final outcome. Just keeps notes, logs, etc. so should problems persist after your warranty has expired you have the maximum of evidence data etc. to force/compel Fiat to "do good faith" interventions. Ask the dealer for copies/evidence of all warranty work done.

Please keep us all posted.