Black Smoke and Engine Instability Issues in '08 Fiat Scudo

Hey there, I had a similar problem with my '05 Fiat Doblo a while back. It sure sounds like an issue with the idle control valve based on the signs you've described, like I had. My car was backfiring, not starting, and the engine was stalling during idle. At the garage, they diagnosed it as a defective cable/plug on the idle control valve. They explained that this causes a disruption in communication between the valve and the car's engine control unit, leading to all those symptoms. It wasn't a pretty sight, and it definitely felt like a serious issue to me. They ended up replacing the faulty cable and cleaning the idle control valve as well, which did the trick. You're right in thinking it's an idle control issue. This situation can get worse if not addressed timely. Don't wait too long. I suggest you take it to a trustworthy mechanic. It felt like a major problem, but once fixed, my Doblo was as good as new! Best of luck with it!

Hey, cheers for the info! your experience sounds quite close to what's happening to my Scudo now. I can really see the similarities, especially the bit about backfiring and stalling, it's a nightmare! So you reckon it was the idle control valve all along, huh? Sounds like I should consider getting my beast to a decent mechanic soon then. Hey, I'm curious, do you remember roughly how much you had to fork out for the repairs? And, were there any further issues with your Doblo after the repair? I'm wondering if this kind of thing has the tendency to come back and haunt us Fiat owners. Appreciate the advice!

Hey Absolutely, it seems pretty likely that it's the same issue I had with my Doblo's idle control valve. As for the cost, it stung a bit but didn't send me to the poorhouse - it was about €155. That covered the diagnostics, replacing the dodgy cable/plug on the idle control valve, and a bit of cleanup. I reckon it's money well spent considering the risk of letting it slide. And look, to put your mind at ease, my Doblo’s been running like a dream since the fix. No more midnight frights or problems with the idle control. It seems this is not the sort of ailment that haunts us Fiat once it's correctly treated. So, yeah, you should definitely consider getting your Scudo to a reputable mechanic sooner than later. Hope this helps and best of luck with the repairs, dude!

Hey. Thank you heaps for your response! It's eased my mind quite a bit to know it's a common issue and doesn't seem to be a recurrent ghost for Fiat enthusiasts like us. Your breakdown about the diagnostic and fixing costs is super helpful. It isn’t exactly pocket change but it sounds well worth it to get my Scudo back in shape. I'll take your advice to heart and start looking for a reliable mechanic around my area. Fingers crossed this fixes my beast and I can roam the roads again without fearing my ride might conk out any minute. Really appreciate your advice and sharing of your own experience. Cheers!