Fiat judder Forums

DAVID32 · Last edited by DAVID32 on Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:32 pm; edited 1 time in total

my 4 month old rapido is just back from a Fiat garage after being in
for juddering when reversing up hill. I received a phone call to day Tuesday 22 at 11.45 am from Fiat c/care
ref juddering they said as long as i reverse at 1300 R P.M there is no problem
and this is Fiat guidelines. So i did not get far after 18 years motorhoming
i am taking my motorhome back to the dealer to sell i will lose about £10,000 but i will have peace of mine then its back to car & caravan Embarassed

Biglol

Big loss David32, you didn't say if you tried the 1300 rpm or not ?

Biglol

rumik

I understand the "peace of mind" argument but how often do you need to reverse up a steep hill? I think being £10,000 worse off would seriously dent my peace of mind.

By the way I've got a Peugeot which doesn't seem to judder too much but then I have never needed to reverse up a steep hill, though I have deliberately tried short, fairly steep inclines to test for the judder. Rather than suffer a major financial loss I'll put up with the (in my view remote) risk that I get a problem.

However we all have different attitudes to risk and money so all the best with your decision.

WingPete

There is a long history regarding this Fiat & Peugeot defect that has been the subject of much debate on forums, and I see, in the latest MMM.
Fiat are prevaricating, telling owner about the higher revs then going onto to suggest it is a characteristic of the vehicle.
It is not acceptable, but taking a hit of large wads is not the right answer.
Keep complaining to Fiat, as others are, and perhaps, just perhaps, a remedy will be found, but you are not alone in this experience.
I have not found it on my Fiat.

clodhopper2006

Is it really such a big deal? My Fiat does it too but on the few occasions I have to reverse uphill I just live with it and pulse the gas to do the reverse. Seems a bit extreme to get rid of the van because of it.

Bob

Pixelpusher

It doesn't only occur reversing up steep hills. I've had it reversing up Levelling Blocks, across gravel and very wet grass pitches. Not always though.

Colin

Chigman

I`ve had the judder reversing up levelling blocks and wet grass pitches as well.I wonder what will happen to certain components in the long run? Rolling Eyes

Once out of warranty,then it`s down to you. Confused

steve

Zebedee · Moderator

My thoughts, for what they are worth . . .

The base vehicle is designed for use by White Van Man.

I'm not "having a go" here, but he (WVM) is not going to treat it with kid gloves, especially if he is on a tight schedule or wants to get home for tea. And he will often be heavily (if not over) loaded.

If it will stand his "abuse" for several years of daily use, I reckon it will last as long as I want it to - assuming I'm reasonably sensible and try to reduce the juddering and clutch overheating by the methods which have been so often suggested.

That still doesn't absolve Fiat/Peugeot from responsibility in any way, but it seems to me the most pragmatic viewpoint to adopt under the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Dunno - not many other options! Shocked

Pixelpusher

I can't speculate on what the target market was when they designed it but they openly advertise it for use as a base vehicle for Motor Homes.

Although the root cause of the problem may reside with FIAT, the converters have to share some of the responsibility since they chose this 'component'. Was it really tested enough by them during the selection process!!

Colin

Zebedee · Moderator