Abarth 500 Woes.. Italian car nuts required!
Discussion
Hello!
We bought a lovely Abarth 500C Competizione last year. With 28,000 Miles on the clock, and factory goodies such as Sabelt Bucket Seats, Akrapovic Exhaust and lots of extras including Bilstien Coilovers and Airtec Intercooler, we felt we'd bagged ourselves as stylish little bargain with a bite! Coming from the RenaultSport pedigree having owned cars such as the 182 Trophy and R26.R Megane, I honesty didn't expect any wonders. I was however pleasantly surprised with it's character and style, paired with that canvas top and hilarious exhaust note. Primarily it was for her anyway; so winners all around; so we thought!
We've honestly had nothing but problems with it. The start of the ownership we forked out a small fortune on getting all the oils, belts, plugs done. Changed the tyres and got it aligned. Brakes all around, we thought jobs a good one!
So the vice is it's an MTA box. Or Selespeed, or DualLogic however they want to market it. It's a dimb witted actuated manual, which apart from the obvious has always worked with no faults. Until a flashing 'Check Transmission Warning' came on one time, then disappeared. The second time it stayed. We had the code read and it cited clutch wear which our technician friend said could either be the clutch is physically worn or the sensor located in the CSC / Release Bearing (Expensive) is faulty. Either way you wouldn't really know until you removed the box and even then it's a gamble to not do the Release Bearing / Sensor. He was confused at the fact there was no judder, problem with selection or slipping. This things running a decent amount of power/torque and plant it in 5th, no problems! I cannot find any information regarding a Flashing Transmission light with no symptoms. Once and once only on a very hot day, it refused to drive. It clunked into gear as always but had no drive. Apparently this can be a common issue but it's only happened once.
Second is just as concerning. On startup, almost always without fail the 'Insufficient Oil Pressure' Warning comes on for about 10 seconds. Never happens during running / driving / idling / cornering / whatever else. Oil Temprature seems to make a differnce. If it's cold start it will always do it. If you start and restart it won't do it. Leave it for 30 mins, it will do it again. We've had the physical Oil Pressure checked against nominal values and it's perfect. The technician said how good the pressure was. We fitted a new sensor to no joy. Yes it's had the genuine Abarth spec oil put in. I fear it's been ran with low or wrong oil in, but the Oil Pressure is 'Perfect' and the sensor (x2 just to check the new on wasn't faulty) is good! I've done some research, but to no success.
Thirdly is an Oil Leak. Firstly we had a look at the Rocker Cover Gasket which seemed dry. The leak was further down.. We've had a camera where we can't see and it appears to be coming from the front corner in between the Head and the Block.. Our technician friend suspects that it is an Oil Gallery that is at fault and this may even explain the Oil Pressure issue. I've done a bit of research and can find no Abarths that have had this issue.
Fourth, an Engine Management Light. We think this might be more simple and relate to an o2 Sensor bank 1.
All these issues, along with a few other niggles (no one can get the alignment right, it drives like a dog and pulls the hell off the insides of the tyres, headlights are piss poor, strange knocking sensation when wheel is straight and it goes over bumps) have caused her to park the car and not want to drive it. Understandable, given it may refuse to drive again and we'd be stuck awaiting recovery. We've priced the repairs up and if it needs all of the above we could be talking absolutely thousands. With a looming MOT and her looking at getting rid next year anyway, she's really at a loss of what to do and currently dailying a £500.00 beater car awaiting a brand new lease car, really being put off the whole ownership experience.
The original plan was for me to have it after her, but is this a huge mistake. Should we take a massive hit; run a mile?
Danny!
We bought a lovely Abarth 500C Competizione last year. With 28,000 Miles on the clock, and factory goodies such as Sabelt Bucket Seats, Akrapovic Exhaust and lots of extras including Bilstien Coilovers and Airtec Intercooler, we felt we'd bagged ourselves as stylish little bargain with a bite! Coming from the RenaultSport pedigree having owned cars such as the 182 Trophy and R26.R Megane, I honesty didn't expect any wonders. I was however pleasantly surprised with it's character and style, paired with that canvas top and hilarious exhaust note. Primarily it was for her anyway; so winners all around; so we thought!
We've honestly had nothing but problems with it. The start of the ownership we forked out a small fortune on getting all the oils, belts, plugs done. Changed the tyres and got it aligned. Brakes all around, we thought jobs a good one!
So the vice is it's an MTA box. Or Selespeed, or DualLogic however they want to market it. It's a dimb witted actuated manual, which apart from the obvious has always worked with no faults. Until a flashing 'Check Transmission Warning' came on one time, then disappeared. The second time it stayed. We had the code read and it cited clutch wear which our technician friend said could either be the clutch is physically worn or the sensor located in the CSC / Release Bearing (Expensive) is faulty. Either way you wouldn't really know until you removed the box and even then it's a gamble to not do the Release Bearing / Sensor. He was confused at the fact there was no judder, problem with selection or slipping. This things running a decent amount of power/torque and plant it in 5th, no problems! I cannot find any information regarding a Flashing Transmission light with no symptoms. Once and once only on a very hot day, it refused to drive. It clunked into gear as always but had no drive. Apparently this can be a common issue but it's only happened once.
Second is just as concerning. On startup, almost always without fail the 'Insufficient Oil Pressure' Warning comes on for about 10 seconds. Never happens during running / driving / idling / cornering / whatever else. Oil Temprature seems to make a differnce. If it's cold start it will always do it. If you start and restart it won't do it. Leave it for 30 mins, it will do it again. We've had the physical Oil Pressure checked against nominal values and it's perfect. The technician said how good the pressure was. We fitted a new sensor to no joy. Yes it's had the genuine Abarth spec oil put in. I fear it's been ran with low or wrong oil in, but the Oil Pressure is 'Perfect' and the sensor (x2 just to check the new on wasn't faulty) is good! I've done some research, but to no success.
Thirdly is an Oil Leak. Firstly we had a look at the Rocker Cover Gasket which seemed dry. The leak was further down.. We've had a camera where we can't see and it appears to be coming from the front corner in between the Head and the Block.. Our technician friend suspects that it is an Oil Gallery that is at fault and this may even explain the Oil Pressure issue. I've done a bit of research and can find no Abarths that have had this issue.
Fourth, an Engine Management Light. We think this might be more simple and relate to an o2 Sensor bank 1.
All these issues, along with a few other niggles (no one can get the alignment right, it drives like a dog and pulls the hell off the insides of the tyres, headlights are piss poor, strange knocking sensation when wheel is straight and it goes over bumps) have caused her to park the car and not want to drive it. Understandable, given it may refuse to drive again and we'd be stuck awaiting recovery. We've priced the repairs up and if it needs all of the above we could be talking absolutely thousands. With a looming MOT and her looking at getting rid next year anyway, she's really at a loss of what to do and currently dailying a £500.00 beater car awaiting a brand new lease car, really being put off the whole ownership experience.
The original plan was for me to have it after her, but is this a huge mistake. Should we take a massive hit; run a mile?
Danny!
Where in the UK are you.
Abarths are generally known to be pretty gremlin free. The only issue I’ve heard has been with the MTA box. The other issues are u usual.
It’s got an aftermarket intercooler so has been modded at some point - power definitely up on standard - potential issues down the line from that?
Depending where you are - one of us will point you in the direction of a good specialist.
Abarths are generally known to be pretty gremlin free. The only issue I’ve heard has been with the MTA box. The other issues are u usual.
It’s got an aftermarket intercooler so has been modded at some point - power definitely up on standard - potential issues down the line from that?
Depending where you are - one of us will point you in the direction of a good specialist.
Yes my apologies, it seems to be modified a little bit more than we'd first thought. Someone who looked at it suspected a larger Turbo, but I'm aware the Competizione has a different turbo so they may just not be familiar with the differences! My bets are on the fact the modifications do have a bearing on the issues we've had! It's VERY quick, compared to a standard one.
We are in East Yorkshire. A local 'Specialist' wouldn't even touch the MTA box, while the nearest reputable one I've seen is Leeds (some 60 miles from us). We'd really need someone who knows their way around one to know what's 'normal' and what isn't!
We are in East Yorkshire. A local 'Specialist' wouldn't even touch the MTA box, while the nearest reputable one I've seen is Leeds (some 60 miles from us). We'd really need someone who knows their way around one to know what's 'normal' and what isn't!
A long way from me then. In your situation- I’d get it booked in and travel the 60 miles.
So many of these are modded - it’s easy and relatively cheap. I’d definitely want to know what power it was running (especially through that auto box) and make sure the supporting mods have been done.
They’re great cars even with standard power - any particular reason you went with the MTA over a manual?
I might have missed it but what’s the MY of it?
So many of these are modded - it’s easy and relatively cheap. I’d definitely want to know what power it was running (especially through that auto box) and make sure the supporting mods have been done.
They’re great cars even with standard power - any particular reason you went with the MTA over a manual?
I might have missed it but what’s the MY of it?
Yes, I’d be very interested to know these things too. I feel there’s quite a bit more to the car than it first appears! Someone’s spent some serious money on it out of the factory and aftermarket, but 11 Years down the line I just wonder what sort of life it had. They could well have been 28,000 hard miles!
The reason behind the MTA was because my other half really wanted an ‘auto’. I did try and deter her however she saw this one and the spec was perfect and the price was right!
The car is a 2014!
The reason behind the MTA was because my other half really wanted an ‘auto’. I did try and deter her however she saw this one and the spec was perfect and the price was right!
The car is a 2014!
Willo26 said:
Yes my apologies, it seems to be modified a little bit more than we'd first thought. Someone who looked at it suspected a larger Turbo, but I'm aware the Competizione has a different turbo so they may just not be familiar with the differences! My bets are on the fact the modifications do have a bearing on the issues we've had! It's VERY quick, compared to a standard one.
We are in East Yorkshire. A local 'Specialist' wouldn't even touch the MTA box, while the nearest reputable one I've seen is Leeds (some 60 miles from us). We'd really need someone who knows their way around one to know what's 'normal' and what isn't!
I suspect this will be even further, however it is a small but respected dealer who I understand are the go to place if you own one of the various Integrale models. I've met Steve through motorsport and no doubt the business will be as trustworthy as he is, they've been involved with Fiat/Lancia for a long time. Thus the Integrale speciality, may be worth getting in touch with similar questions you asked the specialist? Might give you a clue about their knowledge/capability.We are in East Yorkshire. A local 'Specialist' wouldn't even touch the MTA box, while the nearest reputable one I've seen is Leeds (some 60 miles from us). We'd really need someone who knows their way around one to know what's 'normal' and what isn't!
https://walkersfiatnorthyorkshire.co.uk/about-us/ - HTH.
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