Fiat 595 312

The 1.4 T-Jet in its 160 PS tune is not the loudest instrument in the range, but it is the sharpest. The IHI turbo spools surprisingly early — useful thrust from around 2,000 RPM — building boost so linearly that you nearly forget there is a turbocharger until the rev range tears open. The Record Monza flap makes the acoustics unmistakable: that characteristic flutter on the overrun is no gimmick, it is part of the character. What separates this tune from the 145 PS variant is not raw power but response quality — a wider torque curve with no loss of directness. When buying, the manifold matters: hairline cracks reveal themselves as a hiss between 2,000–3,000 RPM, especially cold; the esseesse manifold is the permanent fix. The diverter-valve diaphragm and ignition coils are wear items, and this small IHI does not forgive hot shutdowns without a cool-down. Maintained properly, the engine stays sharp well past 150,000 km.

• !! Cylinder head cracks under high load from 150,000 km

  The heavily stressed T-Jet cylinder head can develop internal cracks from 150,000 km or with chip tuning. Welding is impossible due to thin wall thickness; a replacement head is required.

  Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible external leak, overheating, CO₂ in coolant
  2,000–4,000 $
  Ad cylinder head 312B4cylinder head Abarth 595 1.4 T-Jet
• !! Oil consumption and wet spark plugs from 120,000 km

  The highly stressed T-Jet 180 hp can wet spark plugs with oil from faulty piston rings. In documented cases a cracked piston was the cause, necessitating forged pistons.

  Symptoms: Misfires, bluish smoke, rising oil consumption, spark plug wet/oil-fouled
  1,500–4,000 $
  Ad Schmiedekolben T-Jet 312B4forged pistons Abarth 595piston 312B4
• !! Turbo bearing damage from hot shut-down from 100,000 km

  After full-throttle driving, switching off immediately causes oil coking in the turbo bearing. The Abarth 595 180 hp turbo is particularly sensitive and should idle down for 2–3 minutes to cool.

  Symptoms: Whistling turbo noise, blue smoke, power loss, oil consumption
  800–2,000 $
  Ad turbocharger Abarth 595 312B4IHI RHF3 turbo Abarthturbo Lager kit 1.4 T-Jet

+ 6 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses

The 1.4 T-Jet in Abarth tune is a characterful sports engine running at significantly higher thermal loads than the standard version — the character is right, and the weak points are well-documented and manageable. Exhaust manifold cracks appear from around 30,000–40,000 km, sometimes earlier with consistently hard use; the symptom is a whistling sound under load and reduced boost pressure build-up. The reinforced esseesse manifold (approx. €250) has proven the reliable long-term fix. The turbocharger is fundamentally robust but should not be switched off immediately after high-load driving — 1–2 minutes at idle allows oil circulation and cooling. Ignition coils are a wear item as with all T-Jet variants. Change oil no later than every 10,000 km; after spirited use, inspect for leaks around the manifold area.

• !! Timing belt: short replacement intervals must be observed from 120,000 km

  The 1.4 T-Jet is belt-driven. According to the manufacturer every 120,000 km or 6 years (4 years in harsh conditions). Failure causes total engine damage. Small belt pulleys stress the belt more than usual due to severe bending.

  Symptoms: No warning before failure — engine won't start, metallic impact noises
  450–750 $
  Ad timing belt Abarth 500 1.4 T-Jettiming beltsatz Abarth 595 312
• !! MTA gearbox: hollow pin comes loose, gear blocking from 30,000 km

  On the MTA-C510 gearbox, a hollow pin can come loose from its bearing and rub against a guide bush. Depending on temperature and gear, this causes gear blocking up to complete gearbox failure with the vehicle stopping. Fiat carried out a service action.

  Symptoms: Gearbox shifts to neutral when braking instead of first gear; subsequently no gear can be engaged; vehicle must be towed
  800–2,500 $
  Ad MTA gearbox C510 AbarthHydraulikspeicher MTA 595Schaltaktor MTA Abarth
• !! Exhaust manifold crack from 35,000 km

  The cast-iron manifold develops hairline cracks from ~35,000 km due to thermal cycling — even in stock tune. Air leakage corrupts the lambda signal and costs boost. The reinforced esseesse manifold is the permanent fix.

  Symptoms: Whistling or hissing at 2,000–3,000 RPM, especially on cold starts; boost gauge no longer reaching maximum; faint exhaust smell in the engine bay.
  220–450 $
  Ad exhaust manifold 55221553esseesse manifold 1.4 T-Jetmanifold gasket 55225376turbo flange gasket 55224615

+ 8 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses