Technical Ulysse trouble.. Again!

[raymie]

I have been trying to figure out my poor fuel consumption on my 2.0 JTD Eleganza (20mpg) when i noticed a slight knock coming from the top of the motor when on a light throttle when picking up, cant remember hearing this before. I lifted the bonnet to investigate further only to find it a bit louder and seemed to be coming from the top corner of the motor around the cambelt area just off tickover, then i noticed a smell like emulsion paint from under the bonnet or possibly a diesel smell but not sure, accompanied with wetness all over the bottom of the AC unit and stained on the ground. Then when switching off i noticed a good deal of white smoke coming from under the passenger door, there is some sort of vent here, is it to do with the AC? As it was too late and dark to investigate further i gave in until i can see it better in daylight. I am wondering that if it is a diesel leak that may explain the knock due to air in the sytem, and poor MPG, although if its not i may well have seperate problems. Anyone got any ideas here? R.

 

[digger58]

Have you got the auxillary heater fitted? maybe its running all the time, That is located under the front passenger side, will emit a high pitched whine accompanied by smell, the leak on AC unit may be power steering pump dripping down, are you loosing PAS fluid?

 

[raymie]

Have you got the auxillary heater fitted? maybe its running all the time, That is located under the front passenger side, will emit a high pitched whine accompanied by smell, the leak on AC unit may be power steering pump dripping down, are you loosing PAS fluid?

My diagnosis was correct. The return pipe from No 1 injector to the filter was barely sitting in and it was spraying diesel all down the front of the engine and gathering on the bottom of the ac unit, this may explain the esp light coming on randomly. It was also working its way under the sump with the help of the airflow when the car was moving and must have been soaking the vent underneath, causing the smoke. The knocking noise must have been because the injector was not operating properly as it is gone now and the car is now running V smooth and with much more power. I just hope this is an end to the mpg trouble? Another thing i have found while investigating this problem was the side engine mount bolt part of the way out on the inside of the mount, either the mechanic that changed the cambelt forgot to tighten it or cross threaded it on the way and just left it (likely!) as it is tight but only 2/3 in! More bother, potentially, as it is extremely hard to get to. Watch out for this one after a cambelt change everyone. R.

 

[raymie]

After finding the diesel leak i have given the car a good long run and i have found the fuel consumption has improved but only by 5mpg at the very most, making the figure 25mpg. Is this a normal return for this car? My Fiat dealer seems to think not. Also the ESP light came up twice on the 100 mile journey as well as the computer going haywire and talking at random for a minute or so, then the mpg display disappeared on the screen and was replaced with a message saying over speed alert, or something similar and it wouldnt let me recall the mpg screen. This thing is driving me mental!! Any help welcome please.. R.

 

[raymie]

Anyone?

 

[raymie]

Have you got the auxillary heater fitted? maybe its running all the time, That is located under the front passenger side, will emit a high pitched whine accompanied by smell, the leak on AC unit may be power steering pump dripping down, are you loosing PAS fluid?

After fixing my fuel leak and realising my consumption has barely improved, it is now 25mpg in town or out. I have had the ESP light, airbag lights (constantly), anti pollution system faulty light, computer talking at random, overspeed screen (wont go away) among other things! I have had the engine ticking noise return, usually when cold although i am still convinced it is related to the fuel problem. The car sometimes has poor and very jerky throttle response on light throttle (air in fuel system?) accompanied with the engine/ injector ticking noise at light throttle, although this comes and goes. There is sometimes (maybe every time?) a puff of blueish smoke underneath the passenger side and the noise that digger58 mentioned, a high pitched whine every time the engine is stopped accompanied with a strange smell almost like a central heating exhaust, aux heater? Does this use diesel?. This thing is the worst fiat i have ever had the displeasure of owning !! Can someone help with this one? Digger58?

 

[digger58]

The high pitched whine is almost certainly the auxillary heater, only operates in cold weather, yes it runs on diesel and you will smell it. Try disconnecting the battery for about 10 mins, this usually resets the body computer. Can't figure the bad mpg, is this actual or what is being displayed by the computer?

 

[raymie]

The high pitched whine is almost certainly the auxillary heater, only operates in cold weather, yes it runs on diesel and you will smell it. Try disconnecting the battery for about 10 mins, this usually resets the body computer. Can't figure the bad mpg, is this actual or what is being displayed by the computer?

Thanks for your reply. This is actual mpg, it is under 25mpg, as well as the host of other faults. What kind of consumption is to be expected? R.

 

[digger58]

I average about 7.5Lts/100klm which is around 38mpg, that is all types of driving, I did get it up around 45mpg earlier this year on a long journey in the snow when speed was down considerably. I certainly can't explain your consumption, I do believe that my old 1997 1.9td was better on the fuel side, I got to Greece on 3 tanks and it took nearly 4 in the 2003 2.0JTD. Too many extras etc but it does have great pulling power. Is it getting plenty of air, i.e filter clean etc, any faults showing on the display?

 

[raymie]

I average about 7.5Lts/100klm which is around 38mpg, that is all types of driving, I did get it up around 45mpg earlier this year on a long journey in the snow when speed was down considerably. I certainly can't explain your consumption, I do believe that my old 1997 1.9td was better on the fuel side, I got to Greece on 3 tanks and it took nearly 4 in the 2003 2.0JTD. Too many extras etc but it does have great pulling power. Is it getting plenty of air, i.e filter clean etc, any faults showing on the display?

Hi, The car started running consistently bad yesterday and today with really bad throttle response, if you put the throttle half way down while driving it would only then pick up suddenly with a heavy puff of smoke from the exhaust at the same time as well as what i described earlier, a clicking like an injector on part throttle. The car does not smoke at all when running normally. Then the car started running smoothly at the end of todays running, all town driving. The consumption is a drastic 20mpg on long or short runs. I have ordered a fuel filter to see if it makes any difference. This is getting beyond a joke! Surely someone on the forum must have had the same trouble? R.

 

[digger58]

Have you looked at the air flow meter, can cause lots of problems, located on outlet of air filter housing, clean sensor inside carefully with solvent on a cotton bud. Does car stall at any stage?

 

[raymie]

Have you looked at the air flow meter, can cause lots of problems, located on outlet of air filter housing, clean sensor inside carefully with solvent on a cotton bud. Does car stall at any stage?

Hi, Car never stalls however bad it runs. I was talking to a good diesel mechanic and he reckons these more modern diesels are extremely sensitive to fuel filters and this can be a cause of erratic running so i will change it anyway. I will check what you have mentioned too. R.

 

[raymie]

Hi, Car never stalls however bad it runs. I was talking to a good diesel mechanic and he reckons these more modern diesels are extremely sensitive to fuel filters and this can be a cause of erratic running so i will change it anyway. I will check what you have mentioned too. R.

Changed the secondary fuel filter today and when i took the filter housing apart there was a huge amount of debris at the bottom of the reservior, this should explain the throttle response problem? Put it all back together after a good clean and the car has never driven better! and the injector clicking sound has gone completely. Just need to see how the fuel consumtion is now. I think i might just ignore the sticker on the engine bay that suggests it was serviced 3000 miles ago? R

 

[raymie]

Changed the secondary fuel filter today and when i took the filter housing apart there was a huge amount of debris at the bottom of the reservior, this should explain the throttle response problem? Put it all back together after a good clean and the car has never driven better! and the injector clicking sound has gone completely. Just need to see how the fuel consumtion is now. I think i might just ignore the sticker on the engine bay that suggests it was serviced 3000 miles ago? R

I cant believe this car, after all the things that have been done to it all the fuel problems and other issues continue! The consumption is still around 22mpg, on a run! and less around town. The car clicks (injector) at light throttle openings and gets slightly less when warm. The poor throttle response shows up now and again with a distinct puff at the exhaust when it is doing this. The thing i have noticed is a blue hazy smoke coming from under the passenger side when stopped, most of the time. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP WITH THIS?

other issues:

air bag fault light on constantly
esp failure light, on long runs
anti pollution system faulty, accasionally



Raymie.

 

[jarred]

Were do you start... Smoke/smell/whine under the passenger side due to aux /webesco heater should only come on when engine cold (minus temps) Should not have been running during summer time temps and only stays in use when engine stays cold. T/stat working ok engine gets to temp midway on gauge.If not the aux heater stays on and drinks diesel. Air bag ulysse had a recall for airbag lights/display vosa site will give you details (if it is a ex addi lee black paint dv/du number plate) recalls were not done 5 in total . Sounds like you have a naff injector these are near on impossible to get out (specialist tool to remove) but b4 you go that route i would try air flow erg valve. Anti polution will come up if your not burning fuel properly. esp strange? You could get both these faults from water in the fuse box under the engine bay(search this forum for results).
Good Luck or a decent diesel/fiat engineer (rare as Hens Teeth)

 

[raymie]

Were do you start... Smoke/smell/whine under the passenger side due to aux /webesco heater should only come on when engine cold (minus temps) Should not have been running during summer time temps and only stays in use when engine stays cold. T/stat working ok engine gets to temp midway on gauge.If not the aux heater stays on and drinks diesel. Air bag ulysse had a recall for airbag lights/display vosa site will give you details (if it is a ex addi lee black paint dv/du number plate) recalls were not done 5 in total . Sounds like you have a naff injector these are near on impossible to get out (specialist tool to remove) but b4 you go that route i would try air flow erg valve. Anti polution will come up if your not burning fuel properly. esp strange? You could get both these faults from water in the fuse box under the engine bay(search this forum for results).
Good Luck or a decent diesel/fiat engineer (rare as Hens Teeth)

Thank you jarred, you are making complete sense here! Maybe the reg number of our monster as DU53 DXC could explain a few things?? Ex addy lee? ( never heard of them).
This car has been ringing alarm bells since i purchased it as there are curious wear marks and drill holes here and there, not to mention a lot of wear on the front seat bolsters.

1/ The car has had the front n/s wing replaced as the wing doesnt line up properly as well as having overspray around it suggesting it has had a slight mishap?. This might explain the pull to the left at the wheel and esp light coming on?

2/ The clacking noise that i suspected as an injector is coming from the top of the engine at the cambelt end, (injector 1) this went away briefly when i found a leak at no 1 injector return pipe to secondary filter, although this noise is back most of the time now at light throttle.

3/ The car produces excessive blue smoke from under the passenger front of the car most times the ignition is turned off, in any engine temperature or outside air temperature, complete with high pitched whine for a minute or so, every time (webesco/webasto heater?) Is this the excessive mpg trouble? (engine anti polution faulty warning?)Incidentally the heater in car is not that great and takes a while to warm up although the gauge comes up to just under midway fairly quick. There are no overheating or head gasket problems, at present anyway.

4/ Another issue is the extremely poor throttle response at random when you have to depress the throttle pedal halfway before it picks up accompanied by a black puff from the rear of the exhaust at the same time.

This car has so many other problems other than the above that it is proving very difficult to rectify, not to mention finding a garage the will even take it on!! This has proved to be a very non worthy addition to our Fiat Fiorino pick up and Fiat Cinquecento, these two cars are absolutely brilliant!!

Raymie.

 

[The Bohemian]

Hi Raymie, Addison Lee are a cab company who ran a fleet of Ulysses in black, if your car is one of them the drilled holes are where the radios etc were located. I had a load of issues with my Ulysse, which fortunately had been privately owned and well maintained, but still fell foul of a sticking injector, ended up having to get engine removed, injectors drilled out and replaced along with a lot of other work while the engine was out, timing belt kit, heater plugs, etc. Finally running well, but still showing airbag fault and ESP/ASR lights, which I think may be down to aircon overflow getting into ecu, going to check with Fiat to see if car was ever repaired under recall. This car has broke my heart as well as my wallet, £3500 roughly in the past 8 months, my advice to anyone would be cut your losses and try to sell or trade in as it is. I bought my car in January 2010 for £3000, and after what i`ve spent on it, would be very lucky to get £2500 for it now. Best of luck to you, Brian.

 

[raymie]

Hi Raymie, Addison Lee are a cab company who ran a fleet of Ulysses in black, if your car is one of them the drilled holes are where the radios etc were located. I had a load of issues with my Ulysse, which fortunately had been privately owned and well maintained, but still fell foul of a sticking injector, ended up having to get engine removed, injectors drilled out and replaced along with a lot of other work while the engine was out, timing belt kit, heater plugs, etc. Finally running well, but still showing airbag fault and ESP/ASR lights, which I think may be down to aircon overflow getting into ecu, going to check with Fiat to see if car was ever repaired under recall. This car has broke my heart as well as my wallet, £3500 roughly in the past 8 months, my advice to anyone would be cut your losses and try to sell or trade in as it is. I bought my car in January 2010 for £3000, and after what i`ve spent on it, would be very lucky to get £2500 for it now. Best of luck to you, Brian.

Thanks for your reply Brian. Thankfully i only paid 1500 for this heap of junk, albeit a very tidy heap of junk. I am just thankful that i decided to take out a full warranty with warranty direct when it was purchased which i am afraid is about to be cashed in for repairs. I think this could be a great useable mpv if it wasnt for all the hassle with them.

Raymie

 

[baldscutter]

Blimey raymie your car is as bad as mine. I have a 2004 JTD auto Eleganza with 107k. Only got 17mpg last fill. This is with a new air filter. I also have this heater running after switching engine off - haven't noticed a smell though. Car always starts well, but had an intermittent smoking/lack of power issue. Local garage changed the fuel filter (old one filthy dirty) and told me some joker had removed the exhaust particulate filter. I only get about 50% power from cold for about first 3 miles then turbo seems to wake-up. New MAF sensor for sale on Ebay at the minute for £25. Also, clean out your EGR valve. Couldn't comment on your screen error messages, my LCD screen is knackered. Car just beeps all the time which I can only ignore. Have you got a laptop? I'm thinking of getting a fault code reader - might be the cheapest solution. Also, look out for local independant Peugeot specialists as it's their HDi engine.

 

[jarred]

Sorry been away. Yes it sounds like an ex addi lee (taxi company london) The problem was get the car back on the road and looking nice.It diddent matter if things didnt work or run well so when they were sold to joe public you had to get a good one.Not Many of them. Sorry sounds like trade in time or find a good fiat/EV2 mechanic.