M24 Fiat Ducato 2.2 180bhp - 9spd box - flat spots
Discussion
Looking for any advice or similar experiences.
I have just taken delivery (2months ago) of a brand new Fiat Ducato based motorhome. It's a 5.4t (maxi Alko chassis) unit with the 2.2l Euro6 engine at 180bhp and 9spd ZF autobox. It's the first time I've (reluctantly) owned a Fiat, having always preferred Sprinters and MAN/Crafter side of things but with 3 kids to accomodate, my choices were limited.
On collection day, I had a couple of thoughts - firstly, I was surprised at how perky it was in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. Really seemed to get away sprightlier than I was expecting. But then it seemed to bog down with the throttle pedal needing more pressure to get it to keep momentum up. I've now done 2.6k miles and perhaps it's familiarity and more confidence about getting it down the road, but now when I ask for more power - either keeping up with traffic or when going up hills, it seems to bog down in 4th, 5th and 6th where it feels like it has flat spots (hesitation) or even worse at times, like it's in limp mode at around 2,100rpm until it sets off again at 2,600rpm with a load of turbo.
It's evidently had the new software update to limit torque to the ZF box and save the torque converter (subject of many motorhome post) and the dealer re-did this update when it was in with them last week just to be sure.
But they're saying there's nothing wrong with it. "They all do that sir". They reckon the 5.4t variants are particularly afflicted. I drove back from the dealers and tried to take it a bit easier again. It's fine, but you really have to drive around the characteristics rather than the van driving to your demands, which I've never really experienced before.
Can anybody tell me if I should be escalating with Fiat UK or whether their is experience is that this is symptomatic of the torque being curtailed as a result of the software patch?
I have just taken delivery (2months ago) of a brand new Fiat Ducato based motorhome. It's a 5.4t (maxi Alko chassis) unit with the 2.2l Euro6 engine at 180bhp and 9spd ZF autobox. It's the first time I've (reluctantly) owned a Fiat, having always preferred Sprinters and MAN/Crafter side of things but with 3 kids to accomodate, my choices were limited.
On collection day, I had a couple of thoughts - firstly, I was surprised at how perky it was in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. Really seemed to get away sprightlier than I was expecting. But then it seemed to bog down with the throttle pedal needing more pressure to get it to keep momentum up. I've now done 2.6k miles and perhaps it's familiarity and more confidence about getting it down the road, but now when I ask for more power - either keeping up with traffic or when going up hills, it seems to bog down in 4th, 5th and 6th where it feels like it has flat spots (hesitation) or even worse at times, like it's in limp mode at around 2,100rpm until it sets off again at 2,600rpm with a load of turbo.
It's evidently had the new software update to limit torque to the ZF box and save the torque converter (subject of many motorhome post) and the dealer re-did this update when it was in with them last week just to be sure.
But they're saying there's nothing wrong with it. "They all do that sir". They reckon the 5.4t variants are particularly afflicted. I drove back from the dealers and tried to take it a bit easier again. It's fine, but you really have to drive around the characteristics rather than the van driving to your demands, which I've never really experienced before.
Can anybody tell me if I should be escalating with Fiat UK or whether their is experience is that this is symptomatic of the torque being curtailed as a result of the software patch?
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