Seeking advice on 2009 Fiat Bravo's engine issues and poor fuel economy

Hey there! Your situation sounds eerily similar to what I had with my 2007 Fiat Punto a while ago. I'd say my level of car expertise is just "low", but I do deal with my own share of car issues from time to time. When my Punto started having the same issues, I took it to my local workshop. The mechanics there were pretty thorough and discovered the intake channels were heavily contaminated, which made the car lose power when accelerating and messed with the fuel economy. The repair was kind of pricey, costing me around 425€, but it was worth every penny. The car worked like a charm afterward. My suggestion would be to have your car checked for the same issue because the symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I was facing. Can you provide more specifics regarding your Bravo, like its mileage and maintenance history? That might help me to give you more detailed advice based on my experience. Hope this helps!

Hey! Thanks for chiming in. My Bravo's been through 81653 km so far and I got its latest service completed a couple of months ago. The workshop I use keeps good vehicle records so aside from this problem popping up recently, the car's got a clean bill of health. Your comment about the intake channels being contaminated did make a light bulb go off though. I'll definitely ask my mechanic to check it out. Hope it doesn't hit me as hard in the wallet as it did you! Wish me luck.

Hey, sounds like your Bravo is fairly well-maintained! From my experience, regular maintenance does go a long way in keeping these pesky lights off the dashboard. But yeah, sometimes things just go awry. Definitely have a word with your mechanic about the intake channels. If they are indeed contaminated, cleaning 'em might just do the trick. Oh, and while you're at it, I’d suggest asking him to check the injectors and the fuel system too. Faulty injectors can also mirror a lot of the symptoms you mentioned. I feel you about that possible hit on the wallet! But trust me, it's worth it. Once done, you could see a lot of those problems disappearing. Still, here's wishing you a light damage on the financial front and a speedy recovery for your Bravo. Stay strong and keep us posted!

Hey I'm kind of stuck in a rut with my 2010 Hyundai Sonata. So the steering wheel intermittently stiffens up while driving, particularly when I'm turning corners. Also, I've been finding it increasingly more difficult to align the wheels properly, so I've had trouble keeping the car in line on the road, especially at high speeds. For the past few weeks, I've also been hearing a low growling or whirring sound from the front end whenever I turn the wheel. Does anybody happen to know what the problem is? I'm really worried and don't want to spend money unnecessarily! Thanks, everyone! Wow, sounds like you're having a rough time with that Sonata! Sorry to hear that. Now, I'm no professional mechanic, but based on what you described, these symptoms throw up a couple of red flags for common issues with the power steering system. The stiffening wheel could indicate a failing pump, while the low growling noise you're hearing might be due to low power steering fluid levels or a worn-out belt. You might want to have those checked out. For the alignment issue, I think it could be due to worn out wheel bearings or suspension components. Again, I suggest getting it inspected. Hope you get your Sonata running smoothly again without burning a hole in your pocket! Let us know how it goes. Hey, thanks for that swift and informative response! I hadn't thought about the power steering system, but your reasoning makes a lot of sense. I'll get the pump, belts, and fluid levels checked as you suggested. The bearings and suspension components being the culprits for the alignment issue also seems plausible. I'll take a note of these and ensure that my mechanic gives them a thorough check. Fingers crossed it won't cost an arm and a leg to fix! I'll definitely keep you posted on the developments! Cheers! No worries, happy to help! Sounds like you're on the right track. Whatever the issues are, I'm sure your mechanic will suss them out. As with anything, the sooner these problems are identified and resolved, the better for your car's longevity (and your pocket for that matter!). Looking forward to hearing good news soon. Stay positive and keep us in the loop. Safe driving till then!