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Fiat 500 1.2 starting #1629131
30/01/2019 20:04
30/01/2019 20:04

M
MeanRedSpider
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MeanRedSpider
Unregistered
M



My 500 1.2 Lounge will fire/start and then stop before starting and running ok on the second attempt. I’ve noticed that the engine “hunts” slightly when left idling.

Feels like a fuelling issue. Anybody point me towards where best to start looking to save me messing about? I’ve not so much as lifted the bonnet yet.

I might also occasionally get a slight whiff of fuel around starting. A small fuel leak would possibly make sense.

Re: Fiat 500 1.2 starting [Re: ] #1629142
30/01/2019 22:14
30/01/2019 22:14

S
samsite999
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samsite999
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S



its a 1.2 fire Engine, same as you would find in a late panda (mk2), and a punto... stick it though fiat scan and see whats up. Im going to say vac leak, throttle body gasket, or temperature sensor.
To be fair, its a incredibly old engine, not a lot big goes wrong with them

Re: Fiat 500 1.2 starting [Re: ] #1629145
31/01/2019 05:01
31/01/2019 05:01

M
MeanRedSpider
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MeanRedSpider
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M



Thanks, Sam

Re: Fiat 500 1.2 starting [Re: ] #1629149
31/01/2019 08:31
31/01/2019 08:31

G
GrahamL
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GrahamL
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G



The Grande punto and early 500's had a common fault where the cam cover breather hose would crack and cause a vacuum leak + petrol smell. The crappy plastic hose was later replace with a silicone version which you can now buy as a spare part from Fiat dealer (or ebay, eg. # 130454615134 ). Think this was only on the 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 8v engines.

Easy enough to check (though you might have to remove the airbox as the hose runs below it) and replace, so worth checking that first.

Re: Fiat 500 1.2 starting [Re: ] #1629155
31/01/2019 14:15
31/01/2019 14:15

M
MeanRedSpider
Unregistered
MeanRedSpider
Unregistered
M



Good pointer, Graham. It’s an 11 plate car

Re: Fiat 500 1.2 starting [Re: ] #1629179
01/02/2019 13:31
01/02/2019 13:31
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,207
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szkom Offline
Club member 2000
szkom  Offline
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Forum is my life

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,207
ation
I had this gem of a motor in a 2B Punto. Had a similar sounding problem for a while. Obvious things are plugs, leads, and filters. Mine had the breather hose go slack between the cam cover and airbox. I used small clips to seal either end which helped the hunting. The big one was when I changed the thermostat. Totally different engine and 5mpg gained also. Turns out it must have been on 'choke' more often than it needed.

Re: Fiat 500 1.2 starting [Re: ] #1629180
01/02/2019 13:38
01/02/2019 13:38

M
MeanRedSpider
Unregistered
MeanRedSpider
Unregistered
M



Originally Posted by GrahamL
The Grande punto and early 500's had a common fault where the cam cover breather hose would crack and cause a vacuum leak + petrol smell. The crappy plastic hose was later replace with a silicone version which you can now buy as a spare part from Fiat dealer (or ebay, eg. # 130454615134 ). Think this was only on the 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 8v engines.

Easy enough to check (though you might have to remove the airbox as the hose runs below it) and replace, so worth checking that first.


I had a quick look (too cold) and I think I have a silicon hose there. Gave it a wiggle and it didn’t cause any engine note change.

I’m not 100% sure, but turning the ignition on and waiting a few seconds (a la diesel glow plugs) seems to result in a reliable start. In any case, it always starts fine second time and always fires first time but fades.


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