Does this engine look like it's been pushed back? Not being very knowledgeable about the Abarth version of the car this doesn't look right to me?

Opinions please. Thanks

just taken this photo of my engine bay so you can compare, think something is amiss with yours....

Thank you for doing that. It does look like it's been pushed back. Didn't think it looked right. Luckily I don't own it, but was thinking of buying it.

That looks a FAR bigger, JIG, job looking at the bumper you can see the left sides been shunted in and the engine seems a good 3-4" back.

Not a jig job as those chassis legs are easily replaceable, but with compromised engine mounts I ain't going anywhere near this one.

Is it me, in the second (new very nice engine bay) pic, do the top mounts now get covers?

My 2013 0.9 twinair had them when I got it.

I'd say it's been in a shunt, purely by the way things don't line up. If the outside looks ok, there will be unseen damage underneath and will be very wise to walk away. That thing could be a deathtrap.

brickfoot said:

I'd say it's been in a shunt

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I'd say you've just won the understatement of the month award!

The engine is also quite badly misaligned; there's some serious structural deformation going on there. It's well beyond a cosmetic repair.

Walking away from that one was a good call. I'm just hoping the previous occupant of the car was able to do the same.

brickfoot said:

That thing could be a deathtrap.

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Modern cars owe their crash protection to a lot of clever engineering and metallurgy. That same metallurgy makes it difficult (and in some cases impossible) to repair some deformed sections without seriously compromising their strength. They're designed to be crashed once; if they're structurally repaired and then crash again, there's no guarantee they'll offer the same degree of protection to the occupants.

Those with access to a copy of eLearn might want to take a look at the section covering the bodyshell. There's some interesting technical information about the design philosphy and materials used, together with specific details about precisely which panels are permitted to be repaired, and how. It would not surprise me to learn that these recommendations are ignored on a daily basis by insurance-approved bodyshops nationwide.

Personally I wouldn't want to use a structurally repaired car as a daily driver. In an accident, having only 99% of the original crash protection could be the difference between life & death.

IMO no human life is worth the pocket change you might save.

It was indeed a shunted car. Front damage and airbags gone. Doesn't normally put me off but the engine didn't look right. It's still on eBay now!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291911966299

The front panel as you pointed out is pushed back, but they are in most of the cars I buy. I replace them on most of the front impact cars, quite regularly with the rad too. The last two have had the AC condenser replaced as well. Bit like the headlight, the front panel top is a very weak point. I wouldn't touch one that has the engine pushed back though.

p6baseunit said:

Is it me, in the second (new very nice engine bay) pic, do the top mounts now get covers?

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Our 500TA didn't have them, so I bought some from eBay.

They don't work very well, water still gets in, especially on the RH side one. I've fitted an upturned cottage cheese pot over the top. THAT works!

Regards,
Mick.

Mick F said:

Our 500TA didn't have them, so I bought some from eBay.

They don't work very well, water still gets in, especially on the RH side one. I've fitted an upturned cottage cheese pot over the top. THAT works!

Regards,
Mick.

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I didn't do it when I changed the shocks but it was suggested that a small hole be drilled near the base of the cup to let out any water? But I did totally seal the cover to the new cups with silicone, hopefully not sealing in any water, though I don't suppose I'll need them off anytime in the future?

AGH1965 said:

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I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

The crashed Abarth has been relisted so whoever won first time didn't go through with it. Interesting that the seller fitted a different but still accident damaged front bumper. The only logical explaination for that is to hide the amount of damage. With that mount of engine/transmission displacement you are probably looking at damaged drive shafts and auxiliary items. This is probably genunely beyond economic repair using new parts. Unfortunately some mechanic will do it "at home" and sell it privately so they don't have to declare it was a cat C. Goodness knows what state it will be in.
Robert G8RPI.

jrkitching said:

I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

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Mine

New top mounts, shocks, drop links, shock bump stops... the rollax bearing where taken apart and extra bearing grease added. Then this cover was made from 2 new universal gaiters and rubber.

jrkitching said:

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It looks funny. I don't recognise it. What brand? Probably not available in my country.

AGH1965 said:

It looks funny. I don't recognise it. What brand? Probably not available in my country.

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It's homemade. Crude, but effective.

From this thread.

Ah, I was right then. Neither Sainsbury's nor High Juice squash here.