2012 Fiat 500 Sport needs a new engine - Looking for where ?

**mdarlon** · 10-04-2022, 01:54 PM

Greetings all,

I have a 2012 Sport w/manual trans and 48K milage on a Multiair 1.4L non turbo. Several reliable mechanics tell me the engine noise is most likely a worn bearing on the crankshaft (copper filings in the oil) and if I continue to drive it the engine could just sieze. They advise engine replacement.

My research indicates that my options are: find a dealer who can fix it - would require serious surgery and I shy away from dealers, find a replacement from a yard - might inherit somoeone elses issues, a machinist or junk.
We would really like to get it fixed so I'm looking for: a good machine shop that can do that or a reliable engine replacement process or something else.

I live in San Diego and have a shop that can do the replacement surgery and I'm willing to pay for shipping if I find the right replacement or a machinist that can do the job.

So far I have found LKQ that has replacement engines, Mopar that has parts to build a new engine (they have a fully assembled engine that has been discontinued) but my mechanic only will do a replacement and not a rebuild.

Looking for some pointers on what to do and what makes sense.

A question:
Does the replacement HAVE TO BE a 2012 engine - would another year work

Some other details:
Vin - 3C3CFFBR4CT335414
Std Trans 5 speed

Appreciate your knowledge here

Mitch D'Arlon

**texanbrit** · 10-05-2022, 02:45 PM

Any of the non-turbo 1.4 engines would work, any year. You'll have to swap off your harness and sensors to the new engine if getting a different year. It can be tough though picking up a used engine as things are not really guaranteed (usually just parts, no labor and they want proper diagnosis before they honor it which is more money). The one that I bought for my Pop had no oil pressure and coolant leaks into the oil, I lost a lot of time dealing with family health issues so now I'm left with my original broken engine and a newer engine that needs a rebuild.

Also if you have an early 2012 with the sensor on the oil pan you'll need to swap the oil pan over too.

**Fabio13** · 10-05-2022, 06:56 PM

There was a problem with electrolysis on some early 2012's due to lack of adequate grounding of starter. You can google it. Solution was an additional grounding bolt or some such. It would eat the main bearings.

**texanbrit** · 10-07-2022, 12:10 PM

I hadn't seen that, but perhaps that explains why so many 2012 are having oil pressure issues.

**bryanintowson** · 10-08-2022, 09:47 AM

Check the oil pan on the original broken engine to see if it has a viscosity sensor. If so, you will need to swap the pan from the old to the new.

**smark** · 10-08-2022, 11:23 AM

Lots of salvage Multi Jet engines for sale. Look for a low milage 2012 engine. So you won’t have to
convert anything. Should be just plug and play.

https://www.lkqonline.com/2012-fiat-500-engine-assembly

**fossey** · 01-16-2023, 12:30 PM

Hello,
Can an automatic engine go into a manual car, or vice versa? If so, are there any modifications required?
Thanks,
Roland

'13 500 Sport
'12 500 Prima Edizione
'18 Abarth Spider

**texanbrit** · 01-18-2023, 11:40 AM

Yes, should swap fine. There is something different about the way the transmission hooks up, so you might need to move your existing oil pan over. I'm about to try this so will know more soon....

**sportfan** · 01-19-2023, 07:53 AM

I read somewhere that if you buy a replacement engine to be sure and match the 8th digit to the original motor. I don't know why but had this in my notes. This was on 2012 to 2015 motors.

**texanbrit** · Yesterday, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by sportfan

I read somewhere that if you buy a replacement engine to be sure and match the 8th digit to the original motor. I don't know why but had this in my notes. This was on 2012 to 2015 motors.

The 8th digit indicates turbo or non-turbo (or sideways 124). The 124 engines don't fit in a 500, and the turbo have at least a different cam than the non-turbo.