Fiat....Fix It Again Tomorrow,so i've been told
Re Top Gear,I think the whole of the BL reliability test on Sunday was completely,and totally scripted.Those cars,when new,had far worse build quality than the ones they tested on the program.
Can't find carb cleaner in France:shrug:Bugger!!

Have you tried Auto-5? Our local one didn't have it, but one in Brussels did.

I thought it was Fix It Again Tony.

I also heard the later than 98 MGs didn't have the head-gasket problem and were actually quite fun to drive (oops, blasphemy), of course they're not as good looking as the Barchetta (he redeems himself, phew)

The last three in the garage were 51 and 52 plates so that theory is out of the window!!

Well,I found carb cleaner,didn't work,didn't need it either,it was all spotless.The problem seems to be a little worse (could be my imagination).I have looked at the obvious,except the injectors,but it is time to put it in a garage,which is totally against my nature,due to mistrust of them,but they have the technology.Paul

Good luck

Let us know what they find (and how much it costs)...........

The wife took it today to a Fiat dealer,it turns out it is a bobin,or plug cap (french lessons for you all) at fault.I know,I could have found it myself,but only by trial and error,which could work out more costly (here,I am trying to make myself feel better).It is going to cost me about £100 including fitting.A lot of money for something I can do myself,but I figure the guy has done his work already,and he is also helping out with problems registering the car in France. So next Friday,I should be trouble free motoring again..Thanks everyone.Paul

DOH - the one thing that did not occur to me was the most obvious - plug failure of coil failure!

Tip, if you are changing one coil change them all - the next weakest will fail shortly afterwards as the new one will have a higher resistance, then when you place that the next one will go and so on..........

I ignored this advice from a mechanic a couple of years ago only to eventually have to agree 'he told me so!'

I did ask my wife if the cost included changing them all.She didn't know.What sort of price are they usually?Does anyone know? Paul

I assume what we are talking about are a full set of HT leads, or have I misunderstood?

No, it is just the 'caps' as I used to call them in the olden days.Paul

Thanks, I think I may have that problem too. The mechanic sprays a lot of oil in there after the service but I think the damp gets in anyway.

Yes,it was the coil pack.I was charged €250 (£175)including part It took him about 3/4 hour all told with a little test run.No wonder I try and fix them myself.How much are these parts in the UK? I may bring some back on my next visit.Paul.PS Thanks for all the help and advice

Great news, I have not needed any yet so have not looked into proces, will have a look and let you know - good to hear that you b is behaving herslef again though!