This is a long one, Sorry!

I have a P reg Cinq Sporting in Broom Yellow. It's MOT was due at the end of Oct but I haven't had it tested because I know the car will fail. As such it is currently living static off road. At present it has an idling problem which doesn't effect the drive in any way but you can hear the engine misfire. I was told it was a faulty brake servo that was causing the problem ?!? which will cost £175.

Basically I'm enquiring whether or not I should fix the Cinq of ditch it?

I have had it nearly 3 yrs, and have shelled out for many repairs:
2003 - New: petrol tank; brake lines; wheel bearings; back box; suspension bushes.
2004 - New: cylinder coil; head gasket; rocker gasket; full headlight units x2; many new clutch cables.
2005 - New: clutch and cable; full exhaust from down pipes; tyres.

Besides this when the garage fitted the new exhaust they took off my Powerflow back box and tail and replaced with a standard one, which means I have a stunning SS exhaust gracing my front room floor! I also have needed very frequent clutch adjustment leading upto it's MOT time.

Currently the car is fitted with an MP3 Pioneer headunit, DSL components, an Infinity Amp and custom made red enclosure fitted with a Rockford Fosgate Sub. I have a yellow dash and yellow leather MOMO gear knob and gaitor as well as a K&N fitted.

So what I'm asking is... should I fix? (I'm very discouraged by the car at present as you can imagine!) OR
should I sell it in it's current state? If so for how much?

Thanks in advance guys.

How much do you want for the bak box ????? if u selling seperate that is.

Ultimatly its upto you! Dont think can you afford to fix it... Can you afford to go without or to replace it? Do you still like it? What would you get to replace it?

fix her mines taking ~£400 off me to stay on the road this month (Tax, turbo manifold, coolant pipes) but would never even think about selling her

The_Cinq said:

At present it has an idling problem which doesn't effect the drive in any way but you can hear the engine misfire. I was told it was a faulty brake servo that was causing the problem ?!? which will cost £175.

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Well IME, the Brake Servo shouldnt cause a misfire...they do tend to misfire a bit from cold anyway.

Its probably leads, plugs or a coil Id think.

What do the brakes feel like? does the car stop easily or do you have to really push the pedal to get it to stop?

The_Cinq said:

Basically I'm enquiring whether or not I should fix the Cinq of ditch it?

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Well I dunno, question is could you afford to get and run a new car that wouldnt have problems like this, but would probably have more (costly) electrical gremlins by comparison?

The_Cinq said:

Besides this when the garage fitted the new exhaust they took off my Powerflow back box and tail and replaced with a standard one, which means I have a stunning SS exhaust gracing my front room floor!

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Get that slapped back on....most aftermarket systems pass MOT on the cento anyway...they have negligable effects on the emissions (esp backbox only) as the emission control is done by the cat, further up.

The_Cinq said:

I also have needed very frequent clutch adjustment leading upto it's MOT time.

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My 1242 did this until I solved the problem....I feel that the lock-nut on the clutch cable end can actually cut into the adjuster nut. Stick in a 8mm washer and it should be fine.

But if it eats clutch cables, the release bearings on the clutch arm might be worn out / sticking...I'll be able to update you on how hard a job that si in the coming weeks, but it involves gearbox removal!

I am considering selling the back box but obviously if I keep the car it will be going back on. I'll keep you informed (for your info it's a 3" oval end piece that is slanted and custom built for the cinq).

I can afford to fix the car, but don't want to keep spending on him (it's a him btw) if it's going to keep stranding me in terrible places (try middle of 3 lanes of slow moving traffic with a snapped clutch cable! I wasn't popular).

I was thinking the misfiring may be throttle etc, Haynes seems to suggest it.
The brake servo is leaking because when you press the brakes it hisses, although it brakes as well as it always has and the pedal isn't hard to push.

Cheers for your replies.

oh sorry didnt relise it was for cinq
will a cinq back box fit my sei abarth ???

My advice is that you have fixed a fair amount of the common faults, exhaust and even bearings on Cinq's could be called consumables i.e. goes on every car.

Stick with it or go and test drive the dull competition to give you some thoughts!

Liam

I'm told a fast idling problem can be caused by the lambda sensor failing - so take a good look at your re-fitted exhaust...