Technical Oil leak, but not excessive Underside of engine oily (8.4.1 (a) (i))

[Sequenci]

Hi folks,

I had my 1.2 500 MOT'd a few days ago. They have said that there is likely to be an issue around the sump underneath the engine.

The car was serviced at the same time. There is a noticeable smell of something in the car - I'm not sure if this is linked to the leak or the oil change.

Has anyone experienced something like this - and are there any common issues to look out for?

Thank you!

 

[John202020]

HI if the car is anything over 6 years old its well known that the sump rusts away to the point of having to be replaced, the sump isn't terribly expensive but fitting is fiddly

 

[Sequenci]

Hi John,

it's bang on 6 years - so lives outside.

 

[John202020]

I'd suggest looking carefully underneath to confirm the extent of any issue( use brake cleaner or any suitable degreaser to clean it all up ) then go from there, our 13 year old car had a new sump 7 years ago, there's a small weep where the crankshaft is but not enough to drip on the ground it gets mentioned on the MOT but isn't an issue.

Your smell may go away but if persistent could be a breather hose split not unheard of and cheap to replace, see how it goes the next few weeks

 

[DreadedHomie]

Only oil leak I had on my Fiat was the crank seal but that has been fixed, the only leak that has stayed is from the sump nut, seems the previous mech reused might have stripped it or put it back without a washer, I Havent had time to inspect and repair it as im not feeling like draining fresh oil just to stop a small leak

 

[Sequenci]

It looks like the oil is now dripping on the ground. Weirdly this *NEVER* happened prior to going into the service/MOT last week.

 

[jrkitching]

the only leak that has stayed is from the sump nut, seems the previous mech reused might have stripped it or put it back without a washer

The 1.2 FIRE sump plug doesn't have a washer; it's a tapered thread.

 

[jrkitching]

It looks like the oil is now dripping on the ground. Weirdly this *NEVER* happened prior to going into the service/MOT last week.

Get this inspected and fixed as soon as you can. It's possible that removing and replacing the sump plug during servicing could have further weakened an almost failing sump. This likely isn't the fault of whoever did the service; cases of sump failure due to corrosion are common on older (>6yrs) 500's with the FIRE engine and it can take quite a bit of torque to loosen the sump plug.

Aftermarket replacement sumps are readily available, at reasonable cost. OEM sumps are ridiculously expensive.

Apart from the risk of engine damage if run too low on oil, dropped oil on the ground is lethal to motorcyclists.

 

[Sequenci]

I'm taking it in on Monday for sure - and won't be driving it at all until then.

Thanks for your help. I'm really grateful.

 

[Sequenci]

Hi folks,

Here's an update.

There's a leak from the rocker cover, so that needs replacing. The sump is corroded, so that's being done too.

Sound about right to you guys?

 

[vexorg]

Ours got a MOT warning at 6 years of oil seeping from the sump, much to my shock.
Pain of a job, the exhaust manifold needs to come off too as the downpipe stops you getting the sump off, then the sealant, so stuck that you'll destroy the sump removing it.

At 6 years, has the timing belt been done?

 

[Sequenci]

Timing belt is next on the list... I can't afford to do it at the same time, which is gutting.

 

[vexorg]

It's just you need to remove the rocker cover for that too. The gates timing belt kit with waterpump wasn't too expensive.

 

[DreadedHomie]

Hi folks,

Here's an update.

There's a leak from the rocker cover, so that needs replacing. The sump is corroded, so that's being done too.

Sound about right to you guys?

It's normal for rocker covers to leak after a few years and the sump should only have surface level corrosion due to road stones but if the actual sump itself is corroded to the core then that has to be a manufactur defect, I have never come across a corroded sump only on the surface level which is easily fixed by sanding and spraying.

 

[vexorg]

but if the actual sump itself is corroded to the core then that has to be a manufactur defect,

Apparently sumps corroding through in 5 years is to fiat specs.

 

[DreadedHomie]

Apparently sumps corroding through in 5 years is to fiat specs.

I was not aware of that thanx for the correction . I have owned two fiat cars well over the 5 year mark and never had a corroded sump. Only time I ever came a corroded sump was when I bought a vw that had a badly repaired sump.

 

[vexorg]

It's a curse of the 500/panda 1.2 engines

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

It's a curse of the 500/panda 1.2 engines

Our 2010 Panda 1.2 had had a new sump fitted just before we bought it back around 2017? due to corrosion and my Boy's 1.4 FIRE engine'd Punto had one done around 2018 for the very same reason. I notice both are just staring to show signs of corrosion again so will be rubbing them down and giving them a lick of Frost Chassis Black this summer. The Panda in my avatar picture had to have a new sump too. If original they can be difficult to remove because the sealant Fiat use is pretty tenacious stuff.

Leaking cam cover gaskets are common due to it being rubber and becoming hard as it ages. Tightening the holding bolts rarely works because the cover has little "blips" molded into it which restrict how much crush can be applied to the gasket. Also beware overtightening these wee bolts as they shear easily - can snap off too when being slackened if they've not been touched for some years. I recon they make the cover gaskets to last as long as a cam belt change interval as it's often just after a belt is changed that you notice the cover gasket is leaking?

Shop4parts are a very reliable supplier of genuine and pattern made parts and do the sumps at a very reasonable price: https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=...ndary=35&opts=1100&term=Fiat_500_1.2_8v_Sumps. Don't take this as gospel for being the part for your's, check with them before ordering.

 

[Sequenci]

It's just you need to remove the rocker cover for that too. The gates timing belt kit with waterpump wasn't too expensive.

The manual says the timing belt is changed every 150,000 miles or 15 years - Really? That sounds wild.

 

[vexorg]

The manual says the timing belt is changed every 150,000 miles or 15 years - Really? That sounds wild.

I'm not sure turning up at fiat saying your belt broke at just over 14 years would carry much weight.
I've read 60k miles or 5 years is a more realistic guide. We done ours at 6 and half years and 40k miles. The belt seemed fine to be honest.