These are the common problem areas on these cars you WILL have some of these issues!- if you dont your lucky but checking now could save time and hassle in the future!.
No 1 -Main battery earth strap corrodes from the inside out! cause all kinds of issues from starting and running to mystery warning lights ,remove the battery and its tray to check ,often green and breaking apart at ends- cheap to change !.
no 2 - The rear hatch wiring to the boot door cracks /splits and breaks up usually on the door side of the rubber boot carefully peel back and check!- repair kits are available ! causes similar issues to the earth strap problem(and more!).
No 3- Has the cam belt and water pump been changed? if not sure then get it done NOW!.
No 4- the original thermostat has a PLASTIC pipe that connects to the hose that runs to the heater matrix if it snaps you loose 80% of your coolant straight away and risk blowing your head gasket! check whilst battery and tray are removed to do the earth strap!.
Grasp, the hose at the thermostat end and wiggle it- slightest movement then replace it!, if no movement worth loosening the clamp and moving the hose up a bit to see whats fitted? plastic pipes are normally black!- the replacement thermostat you can buy online has a METAL pipe which is normally silver! even if your black plastic one looks ok I would recommend changing the thermostat anyway to future proof the system!.
No 5-Check under the car to see what condition the sump is in? It is made of a metal that rusts overnight and can leak through the actual metal itself! about £50 if you can replace it yourself! .
It does NOT use a gasket, and needs to be sealed with an R.T.V compound!.
AND finally No 6- whilst under the front of the car check the condition off the exhaust manifold securing bracket they rust out and leave the manifold unsuported leading to snapped manifold exhaust studs which are a royal P.I.T.A to replace!.
There are more things to watch out for but these are the Vitals that are worth looking at either when viewing a car your thinking of purchasing!, or if you or a family member buys one of these cars! its a self insurance policy to address all the known trouble spots and hopefully prevent future trouble and expense!
Hope this helps!.
Enjoy your fiat and stay safe out there!
PS this is the BEST colour you can buy!
No 1 -Main battery earth strap corrodes from the inside out! cause all kinds of issues from starting and running to mystery warning lights ,remove the battery and its tray to check ,often green and breaking apart at ends- cheap to change !.
no 2 - The rear hatch wiring to the boot door cracks /splits and breaks up usually on the door side of the rubber boot carefully peel back and check!- repair kits are available ! causes similar issues to the earth strap problem(and more!).
No 3- Has the cam belt and water pump been changed? if not sure then get it done NOW!.
No 4- the original thermostat has a PLASTIC pipe that connects to the hose that runs to the heater matrix if it snaps you loose 80% of your coolant straight away and risk blowing your head gasket! check whilst battery and tray are removed to do the earth strap!.
Grasp, the hose at the thermostat end and wiggle it- slightest movement then replace it!, if no movement worth loosening the clamp and moving the hose up a bit to see whats fitted? plastic pipes are normally black!- the replacement thermostat you can buy online has a METAL pipe which is normally silver! even if your black plastic one looks ok I would recommend changing the thermostat anyway to future proof the system!.
No 5-Check under the car to see what condition the sump is in? It is made of a metal that rusts overnight and can leak through the actual metal itself! about £50 if you can replace it yourself! .
It does NOT use a gasket, and needs to be sealed with an R.T.V compound!.
AND finally No 6- whilst under the front of the car check the condition off the exhaust manifold securing bracket they rust out and leave the manifold unsuported leading to snapped manifold exhaust studs which are a royal P.I.T.A to replace!.
There are more things to watch out for but these are the Vitals that are worth looking at either when viewing a car your thinking of purchasing!, or if you or a family member buys one of these cars! its a self insurance policy to address all the known trouble spots and hopefully prevent future trouble and expense!
Hope this helps!.
Enjoy your fiat and stay safe out there!
PS this is the BEST colour you can buy!
