Potential incorrectly serviced car caused failure

CptBlack

Hi,

We've had a bit of a nightmare with my partners' Fiat 500, it's a 60 plate. We took it to a local garage a couple of months ago for a service and all was well until about a month ago when it started playing up. When the engine has been running for around an hour, when she stops at lights it misfires when trying to pull away.

The garage had the car but struggled to replicate the problem (it's needs a long time of running to see the issue) and couldn't fix it when we took it there showing the signs.

They basically said they could do no more and suggested we take it to a Fiat garage that have diagnosed the fault as a part that will cost around £1,700 to fix (parts and labour) that was probably caused by the wrong oil.

My question boils down to, what is the best course of action going forward? Should we get it fixed with Fiat and try to claim it back from the original garage? Should we offer the original garage the chance to fix it (though we don't have much faith in their ability any more)?

Thanks

BeenThroughItAll

Some details of mileage, miles done since the service, where the vehicle was serviced, its general service history, how long it's been owned, usage and journey profile, exactly what the problem has been diagnosed as being, and what parts are being suggested as the fix might be helpful, rather than us all guessing.

CptBlack

Hi BeenThroughItAll,

Thanks for the response. I'll try and get those but she's just been given the car back by the Fiat garage. It broke down after 30 minutes and she's waiting to be collected, so I can't answer them all right now. I was more after the course of action to take in relation to dealing with the garage(s).

The fault is with the MultiAir Solenoid. What I've seen so far is "Replace UniAir Module parts: £733.41, Labour: £630" and an oil leak £336.

Stoke

Seems odd this one. Does the 500 require a specialist oil then or can it be run on standard 5w40?

CptBlack

From reading around since I found out it was this solenoid it appears the 500 TwinAir thing is very particular about the oil.

The original garage used 0/30 fully synthetic which they said Fiat recommended.
The Fiat garage said it should be 5/40.

I haven't asked the original garage where they got this recommendation. I want to understand our position a bit better before I speak to them. Whether they are obligated to fix it if their oil choice was wrong or if Fiat's recommendation is incorrect etc.

Should I name the garage? Not sure whether that is appropriate.

facade

You will be hard pushed to blame the multi-air failure on the other garage, multi-air units produced prior to the 2011 redesign are notorious for failures.

What was "wrong" with the oil?

EDIT: didn't refresh before posting.

CptBlack

I see, that's what I'm seeing from the internet now.
All I can tell is it was the wrong grade. It surprised me when I heard that.

Stoke

Just been reading up on the multiair engine. Sounds right bloody complicated.

Might be worth a read if you get nowhere with regards to the garage?
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-giulietta/784098-how-to-multiair-unit-replacement.html

welfayre

CptBlack wrote: »

From reading around since I found out it was this solenoid it appears the 500 TwinAir thing is very particular about the oil.

The original garage used 0/30 fully synthetic which they said Fiat recommended.
The Fiat garage said it should be 5/40.

I haven't asked the original garage where they got this recommendation. I want to understand our position a bit better before I speak to them. Whether they are obligated to fix it if their oil choice was wrong or if Fiat's recommendation is incorrect etc.

Should I name the garage? Not sure whether that is appropriate.

Probably from autodata or a similar package.

Mine says for 2010 Fiat 500 twinair the oil grade is 0W-30 Synthetic (OEM FIAT 9.55535-GS1) and if you google the OEM number it does indeed turn out to be a 0W-30 oil. http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-1262-fiat-955535-gs1-engine-oil.aspx

So providing the original garage has used an 0W-30 that meets the fiat specification I can't see how they'd be responsible for the fault, or how Fiat can claim it needs a 5W-40.

CptBlack

Welfayre, Many thanks for checking that it really helps and vindicates garage 1!

sheramber

What does the car manual say?