Fiat Barchetta Common Problems and Solutions
Poor Radio Reception
Problem:
Your Grundig radio keeps losing reception or switching stations while you're driving. You might also hear a hissing or crackling sound.
Solution:
The Grundig radio on the Barchetta is very high quality, but the aerial cable is notoriously poor. Installing a new aerial is quite a challenging job, but it is achievable if you have the time and patience. You can order a new aerial directly from BreakerYard.
Difficulty level
Aerial Cable
RPM Dropping
Problem:
As you slow the car and change down the gears, the RPMs suddenly drop. This causes a wheezing sound from the engine.
Solution:
This is a very common issue with the Barchetta, but it has an easy DIY fix. The problem is caused by a build-up of carbon on the idle control valve. You can try cleaning the valve, but this often only provides a temporary solution. Ideally, you should replace the valve entirely, which you can do by visiting our parts page for a new one.
Difficulty level
Idle Control Valve
Early front tyre wear
Problem:
It is known for the front tyres on these vehicles to wear down particularly quickly.
Solution:
Ensure you regularly check the front tyres. The minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, so once the tread approaches this level, you'll need to replace the tyres.
Difficulty level
Exhaust breaking
Problem:
Since the exhaust is quite heavy on this vehicle, they are prone to breaking in the middle because of their sheer weight. The tailpipes are also known to fall off due to the same reason.
Solution:
Since the exhaust system is very heavy on this vehicle, it is known to break in the middle due to the sheer weight.
Difficulty level
Rear plastic window cracking
Problem:
The rear plastic window on the convertible roof is prone to cracking. This is caused by the combination of the roof moving up and down, cold wind, and the heating system all working together.
Solution:
Unfortunately, the only way to resolve this problem is to fit a new roof, which can be very expensive. You could apply some tough tape over the crack as a temporary fix.
Difficulty level
Water leak from convertible roof
Problem:
It is known for the convertible roof not fitting well, which causes a leak into the cabin, particularly on the driver's side.
Solution:
We can provide a replacement convertible roof to resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Rear wheels spread out
Problem:
If it looks like the rear wheels are spread apart and appear somewhat abnormal, then there is an issue with the rear suspension arm. This is common on these vehicles.
Solution:
You will need to fit a replacement rear suspension arm to fix the problem.
Difficulty level
Loud engine noise
Problem:
If you've noticed a very loud noise coming from the engine, especially with the roof down, you might have an issue with the VVIT (Valve Timing) variator. These cars are petrol and should not produce a loud, diesel-like engine sound. This problem occurs because of carbon build-up, which causes the variator to seize. Does your engine sound anything like the one in the video below?
Solution:
You will need to have a new VVIT variator fitted to resolve this issue.
Difficulty level