First post, so apologies if this is in the wrong place !

Took my car to the garage as it seemed to be 'missing' for a second or two when accelarating.
Bad news they said, at least one of the valves has gone, and to replace this I am looking at least £300, but they would need to remove the cylinder head to be sure. They also said bear in mind my car has 8 valves, so if any of the others need replacing, then the cost will go up.
To be honest, I don't even know what a valve is... lol. But does anyone know if this cost sounds about right?
I don't want to give up on my beloved cinqy just yet, so any advice will be appreciated ! XXX

That sounds about correct to be honest inlcuding labour, as with a lot of things, its the labour that costs, the parts are not too expencive for that kind of work.

Its about the same price for a garage to sort a head gasket which involves taking the head off etc.

The valves are located in the head (top part of engine) which basically control the fuel/air into the engine and burnt (used) gases out of the combusion chamber which go out your exhuast pipe!

£300 would buy a second hand engine, and have it fitted at a garage and fully serviced with timing belt. and if its a sporting you could even get the 1242 engine fitted

what tests did they do to come up with this?

Not sure what tests they did I'm afraid.
Is it worth taking elsewhere for a second opinion or just go with what they say. I just wondered whether they saw me coming, and were taking the p*** !!!
I only paid £500 for it back in Feb, so I don't really want to end up paying more than what it's worth, even though it's in real good condition - apart from the damn valve !!!
Thanks for the explanation on what a valve is !

is it a sporting or a non sporting?

i'd say its definately worth getting a second opinion, does it throw up any warning lights at all on the dash or anything?

yep definately worth getting a second opinion, what town are you in? we may be able to recomend a place to take it

It's an SX, non sporting. There are no warning lights, just a 'missing' sensation when I accelerate, as I said earlier.

I'm in Swindon (for my sins!!)

Thanks for all your help.

hmm, could be any number of things, personally not too familiar with the 899 engine/management though cant even remember if they're injection or carb'd

Some of the very early models had carb (non uk to my knowlege), but apart from this should be fuel injection all models.

Definately as with most jobs worth "doing some shopping" on a best price!

still dont think thats enough to diagnose it as valves... did they say how they got to that conclusion?

think the 903's were carbs (aka pre s/sx/sporting guise) then 899 injection, just wasnt 100%

No, they didn't explain anything apart from the 'cylinder head' will have to removed to be sure. (whatever that is !)
I will defo take it elsewhere for a second opinion, otherwise you may see it appearing on ebay soon !

Tbh, definately sounds a bit of a drastic assumption to me hopefully it'll be something alot easier to fix

Oh and welcome to the forum by the way

jamie is in swindon he any good with diag?

mean while try a bottle of add to the petrol tank injector cleaner.
when engine is running and its dark look under the bonnet and see if there are sparks jumping around on the out side of any wires

I'm very suspicious. I think it may be electrical or simply that the car needs a decent service (plugs, oil and air filter, oil, maybe plug leads). It doesn't sound like a valve problem to me.

How reputable is this garage?

Easy way would be to take the beast in to a Fiat dealer and get them to take a peek. Once they've told you what the problem is you can either let them quote to fix it or pay them for the diagnosis and walk away.

ah didnt think of the service thing how long has it been since a service? as if its a old spark plug or something like that could lead towards it

change the sparkers and the air filter and run redex in the car for few tanks full also change MT leads

shouldnt cost no more then £30 for all the above and cheap fix if thats the problem

or buy my 899cc engine for £30 and ill charge you £70 to fit it providing you come up here

wouldnt spend £300 on a 899cc engine cars not even worth that lol

fiat are doing a winter service for £59.99 atm on cars over 3 years old

Thank you for all your help, I am gonna' find my local fiat garage. They won't laugh when I say I have cinqy will they ???!!! Everyone else seems to !!!

I'm pretty sure the garage I took it to was a reputable one, the guy I bought my cinqy off had loads of work there, still he may of knew someone that worked there ? (They serviced it for me back in April, would this problem not have been apparent back then I wonder?) They did seem to look very busy though, or am I just being too sinical now ?!

Gazzaman, that sounds like a GREAT idea, however I don't think my beloved blue beast would make it that far at the mo ! lol...

I will let you all know how I get on. Thanks again guys, fingers crossed x

Apart from the service, chuck some Redex in the fuel, and fill it with some super as well for a tank. Wilko's have 100% extra free Redex at the mo as well

Could just be dirty injectors. Service it and then Redex/supe unleaded it, and give it a bit of stick once its warmed, a fair bit of high rev driving too get things cleaned and flowing again, bet it'll be fine then.

How many miles has it done? Should give a good indication of wether the valves are sticking/worn.

Kristian