Hi

I need to get my Bravo booked in for a full service somewhere. Does anyone know of a reliable garage in manchester that will do a good job of it? I'm looking for something along the lines of what PowerFiat would do (but they are in Essex).

Full Service: (12000miles)

Oil change, filter change, replace air filter, replace fuel filter, replace pollen filter ( where fitted ), replace anti freeze, check and top up brake fluid, gearbox oil and screen wash, replace spark plugs, remove all wheels and inspect brake pads, discs, calipers, drums, wheel bearings, steering components, suspension, bushes, engine mounts, check condition of all hoses, check operation of all internal components inc air con (if fitted), elec windows etc, heaters, seat belts, road test and report, lubricate all hinges, check exhaust system operation, check all lights and signals, check condition and operation of drive belts, check wiper blade efficiency.

Click to expand...

Thanks

do it yourself, it an easy saturday morning job and it'll save you a few quid.

I checked the oil today and its near the top of the marker on the dipstick and is a nice golden colour. I'm guessing this won't need changing. Before I bought the car, I had a full inspection done on it by a mobile mechanic, and from the report, I've worked out that just these need doing on it:

filter change, replace air filter, replace fuel filter, replace pollen filter ( where fitted ), replace anti freeze, check and top up brake fluid, gearbox oil and screen wash, replace spark plugs, lubricate all hinges,

Is all this doable for me? I've got no experience with cars really . Where can I get the parts from, and which ones will I need? I'm especially worried about changing gearbox oil, brake fluid, and spark plugs. My gearbox is a bit hesitant to go into first or second when downshifting, so maybe new gearbox oil will fix it?

Cheers

you can do it all yourself. if you really dont feel confident get a haynes manual.

you dont need to completely change the brake fluid, just top it up (if neccessary, it may not need it).

same for gearbox, if you get the fiat sump plug key you can use that to remove the gearbox filler cap, and then simply dip your finger in the hole to feel for the fluid, if you cant feel it top it up (pour some gearbox oil in the hole till it overflows). difficulty engaging 1st and 2nd is usually due to worn snychromesh, but if the oil is low it will help to top it up.

sparkplugs are easy, you need a plug spanner, and they simply screw off, very easy.

the most difficult part is going to be replacing the coolant, but that is still easy. you need to drain the cooling system (pop hose off bottom of radiator till its empty). then you need to premix your antifreeze with water (50:50), and fill the cooling system up. when it is up to max you need to start the engine and then bleed air out the system using the bleed screw on the radiator, then the bleed screw on the colant hose in the engine bay (hose going to heater matrix). you need to loosen the bleed screw off to allow air to come out (bubbles), when clear water comes out you can close the bleed screw.

you probably wont have a pollen filter, they were only fitted to models with air con.

so a shopping list
dot 4 brake fluid (if you need it, check level first)
hypoid gear oil [API-GL5] (if you need it, check level first)
sparkplugs (NGK)
engine oil (castrol 10w40 from asda)
oil filter (motorfactors)
fuel filter (motorfactors)
air filter (motorfactors)
wd40 to lube locks and hinges
silicone spray to lube window runners
antifreeze (any Ethylene Glycol based stuff will do)
spark plug spanner
fiat sump plug key