Check Engine Message

[tearinghair]

Have just started my Fiat Panda Eleganza, and there's a message showing "Check engine". It's making an odd noise and juddering a bit. OH has been fiddling with it today while I was away (says he hasn't, but the door was unlocked); he thinks it's the exhaust gone, but would that cause the juddering? He used to be a whizz with cars, but that time has passed, alas. I know nothing about them, but would appreciate a suggestion as to what might be wrong, as I'm supposed to be going out in it early in the morning and don't want to break down.

[TWR]

Has he checked the Usual, Oil / Water?

[Tuvok]

Is there any other message? eg. any codes?

[tearinghair]

yes, he keeps everything topped up. No other code showing.

[TWR]

With the ENGIN COLD, ask him to check the connecting flange to the manifold, it may have come loose.

[tearinghair]

Thank you. I suggested this to him, but the response was 'there's no point in looking, it won't be that. It's the exhaust'. You can't help people who won't be helped, can you? I guess I'll just have to take it round to get a new exhaust tomorrow. And part of me is hoping that it doesn't fix the problem. Again, thank you for your help, and I'm sorry it wasn't better received.

[Hymie]

It could be one of the spark plug coils on the way out, causing poor fuel ignition within one cylinder.

You will need to plug in an OBD diagnostics reader to find the precise reason for the check engine message.

[tearinghair]

Thanks. I've just checked that the local Fiat garage service dept is open tomorrow morning, so I'll take it down and see what they come up with. I do appreciate your advice, everyone.

[tearinghair]

Update: diagnostic revealed a faulty fuel injector. Any ideas how this could have happened? The exhaust is fine. It can't be done until midweek - apparently an unusual repair - so I've left the car at the garage to keep it out of harm's way.

[Hymie]

Nothing lasts forever where moving parts are involved.

Replacing injectors can be an expensive fix on modern engines – make sure you know what the final bill will be before agreeing to the work.

Mrs Hymie’s Renault suffered a similar problem (garage diagnostics showed it to be an injector issue), but luckily the garage traced the fault to a poor electrical connection, before embarking on replacing injectors.

[tearinghair]

Thanks Hymie, I'll mention that to the garage. Yes, they've told me what the bill will be, and as long as that is the correct diagnosis I'll go along with it. The car is 8 years old and once it has reached the end of its useful life I won't be replacing it - probably I need to consider giving up driving before long - so I'd like to keep it going for a little while yet even if it's going to cost a bit.

[Hymie]

If you’ve owned the car from new and average the total depreciation over those 8 years – you are probably looking at a figure of around £1,000/year.

The vehicle I own is over 14 years old; I factor into any repair cost that my annual depreciation is zero. I exclude from this figure any consumable parts (tyres, brake pads etc) and service costs that would apply to any age of car.