Ducato check engine light

HELP has anybody come acrross this problem. In my 3ltr 2010 ducato the check engine light comes on now and again and the engine loses power. It feels like driving in 6th gear at about 25mph. Have had it with diagnostics a few times but nothing showing up. Changed the throttle thingy (I know nothing about engines) and the mechanic can't identify the fault. Thought it was sorted and yesterday drove from Ennis to Dublin and back with no problems. Stopped at the local Chinese to pick up a well deserved takeaway. I kept the engine running while hubby nipped into takeaway but when I went to move off the check engine light came on again and she limped the last mile home.

I am very worried about this as planning to drive from roscoff to south of Spain in two weeks. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reply Killiand. Had a major service with another mechanic about 3km ago on the clock. Fairly sure it included air filter but did about 2k before this problem happened. Current mechanic is trying to get advice from fiat but they don't appear to be helpful. The problem just seems to come and go. Actually don't know if it is turbo but will find out in the morning. Automatic transmission. I have read that this problem is common in the fiat and difficult to pinpoint. There is something about water ingress in the engine bay and I think it might be possible that the problem arises during dry weather when I use the windscreen washer. That could be daft but it's a long shot. Wonder what I should say to the diagnostics mechanic. Already paid over €750 for fuel filter and throttle thingy. All this in an effort to find the check engine problem. Don't know why OBD didn't show a code. Thanks again.

Good luck with that , a google search of common causes will through up lots of usual suspects. ie EGR Valve, Blocked Fuel Filter , No4 Injector wire too short, scuttle drain sending water to around injector connections, fault in electronic throttle, hole in various pipes, some sensors, dirt or water in diesel and the list goes on. I have an older van with a different engine than yours but had a similar problem fault finding. Sincerely hope it doesn't turn out to be the turbo as mine did. The turbo bearings were 100% it was the blades that were eventually worn away to nothing by something getting in there. ( Actually not as bad or expensive a job as it sounds - if you know a competent mechanic)

Thanks for all the help folks. My mechanic can't find the issue so bringing it to Fiat on Monday. I understand their software is more specific so hopefully will be able to figure out what is causing the problem.

Fingers crossed that it will be sorted soon and not too expensive.

Delighted to report I am pretty sure I have found the problem. Daft as it seemed, my theory about water causing the check engine light to come on seems to be right. I have done a lot of reading of others' experiences over the last few days and while I haven't seem a scenario exactly the same, water getting where it shouldn't seems a common enough problem.

Yesterday the light was still on and I was waiting for my mechanic to bring it to Fiat on Monday. I noticed someone (probably a previous owner) had done a small DIY job blocking a hole at the base of the middle of the windscreen and the plug was rotting which I guessed would allow water to get in. So I opened the bonnet and left it bask in the sunshine all day. This morning I started the engine and, you've guessed it, no check engine light. So there would be no point bringing it to a code reader.

Then with engine switched off I got hubby to pour water through the 'hole' while I watched where it went. Right enough, it dripped through onto a tray thing that was obviously meant to keep the water off the engine and seeped down and rested on an engine thingy. I started the engine immediately and no check engine light. Started it again within a minute and bingo! Light on! Looking back over the occasions that I can remember this problem I can tie them all up as happening under similar circumstances where I had used windshield wash, had the 'van power washed, or drove off after van had been stationary in heavy rain.

Also, we had the 'van about six months before the problem first occurred (last July) and I am guessing previous owner's attempt to block the leak had worked for a while until it began to come apart. Hoping mechanic will agree with this diagnosis and come up with a better way to protect the engine from this.

Feeling rather please with myself! Happy days Thanks again for all the help. Will let you know how it goes on Monday.

Aw thanks for your good wishes Shivster. Much appreciated.

Saoire

How'd it go?