1.3 Multijet engine: faults and reliability

• 1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)

  2003–2009 · 69–105 hp · Z13DT

  With caution

  It is the generation that has been on the road longest and the one with the most documented cases of stretched timing chains and failed tensioners. It is only worth considering with an oil change history and, ideally, with the chain already inspected or replaced.^[1][2][3]

• 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)

  2009–2015 · 75–95 hp · Z13DTH, 199B1.000

  With caution

  It improves consumption and noise compared with the first generation, but shares the same chain and tensioner design, with documented cases of stretching. Ask for the maintenance history and watch for oil dilution if the car is used mostly in town.^[2][4]

• 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)

  2015–2020 · 95 hp · A13DTE

  With caution

  The timing chain problem is partly mitigated compared with earlier generations, but it does not go away, and the demands of particulate filter regenerations on cars used mainly in town are added to it. Worth considering with an oil history and mixed journeys.^[2][4]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
2. 2High severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
3. 3High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalTurboSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
4. 4High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelThe Bosch injectors and the high-pressure pump of the common rail system are sensitive to poor-quality fuel or fuel with condensed water. With contaminated diesel they can generate metal shavings that damage first the pump and then the injectors themselves.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200
5. 5Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Fiat (hoy Stellantis), desarrollado junto con General Motors

Family

SDE (Small Diesel Engine); familia Fiat 199

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

1,248 cm³

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Chain

Power

69–105 hp

Peak torque

210 Nm

Production

2003–2024

Makes

Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Opel, Suzuki and Ford

Technical data^[5][6][7]

1. 2003–2009

   1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)

   First generation (Multijet I), with 8 valves: fixed-geometry turbo on the 69 and 75 hp versions and variable-geometry turbo from 84-90 hp, with the particulate filter becoming standard towards the end of this period.^[5][6]

2. 2009–2015

   1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)

   16-valve cylinder head and higher-pressure injectors with up to eight injections per cycle, improving consumption, noise and emissions; the particulate filter becomes practically universal in this period.^[5][6]

3. 2015–2020

   1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)

   Adaptation to Euro 6: adjustments to the engine management, EGR and particulate filter to meet the NOx and particulate limits.^[6]