General Is there a good garage anywhere near me?

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General Is there a good garage anywhere near me?

SirTainlyBarkin

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May 28, 2008
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I have recently bought a 1998 Barchetta and live near to Cardiff, South Wales. I have a couple of jobs that need doing; rear wheel bearings and possibly air-flow meter (it's cut out at idle a few times). I don't want to do the work myself (no time, facilities or inclination come to that) so would like to take it to a trustworhy garage, either main dealer or specialist. Can anyone recommend one?
 
There are a few Welsh members aboard but you will probably get a better response to garages on the garage section of the site.

If not doing yourself I would at least order the parts Bearings in particular as they vary from £20odd to over £80 depending where you go.

Re the idle problem it could be the airflow meter but, would also have the idle control valve cleaned out as well. Good luck with the car.
 
sorry for offtopic, you mention some air flow meter... mine engine goes like this on picture when i turn on engine and stay at place... is it possible that air flow meter is guilty?
 

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I have recently bought a 1998 Barchetta and live near to Cardiff, South Wales. I have a couple of jobs that need doing; rear wheel bearings and possibly air-flow meter (it's cut out at idle a few times). I don't want to do the work myself (no time, facilities or inclination come to that) so would like to take it to a trustworhy garage, either main dealer or specialist. Can anyone recommend one?

Hi there!
I use and highly recommend this fabulous independant Italian car specialist

Allitalia Ltd
Paxton Garage
Llewelyn Rd
Vron, Tanyfron
Wrexham
North Wales, UK
LL11 5TL

Phone: (0)1978 757588
Fax: (0)1978 720131
E-mail: [email protected]



Ask for Howard and tell them Emm Red Sei Turbo sent you(y)

*edit forgot website link!
www.italia.org.uk
 
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Never used Paxton garage myself but Howard was pretty well known in Lancia circles a while back and seemed to know his onions....
 
Off topic: I'd clean and check the seal around the idle valve by the throttle body.
 
I have recently bought a 1998 Barchetta and live near to Cardiff, South Wales. I have a couple of jobs that need doing; rear wheel bearings and possibly air-flow meter (it's cut out at idle a few times). I don't want to do the work myself (no time, facilities or inclination come to that) so would like to take it to a trustworhy garage, either main dealer or specialist. Can anyone recommend one?

Hi and welcome to the forum! (y)

Jobs are easy to do but if you have no inclination then I would give Emm's garage a call - I recently saw her car and its immaculate, I don't think she would trust it to just anyone!!

I would be surprised if your AFM has failed, its more likely to be the idle valve. Another easy job but you will need a replacement gasket after you have taken it off - I would also recommend a tube of instant gasket!

Another quick fix is to spray the throttle body with carb cleaner while the engine is running.
 
Try Chris and John
Waterfall Garage
Bridge End
the phone number is something like this 01656 750750
try the number I will check it at work tomorrow and if different will send another reply.(y)
 
My thanks to everyone for the advice and I shall certainly consider the Bridgend people in future. It was rather overtaken by events as I suffered a brake failure, fortunately not a complete one. The fluid warning light came on, was close enough to Halfrauds to get fluid to top up, couldn't immediately see anywhere where it was losing fluid so risked driving the short distance home (Very slowly and carefully) Checked the fluid again at home and the level had already dropped, so had another look round and by crawling under the car (something I am not built for) saw that it looked damp around right hand rear suspension. I called the RAC out who identified the part as the brake compensator (?), unfortunately by trying to tighten the weeping union it gave way and lost all the fluid. They recovered the car to the Bridgend Fiat dealer who replaced the part, a length of brake pipe, the noisy bearings and rear brake pads. The RAC kindly provided a courtesy car while mine was off the road. It could have been a lot worse.
 
:eek: Certainly could have been. Thanks for sharing.

I also think it's an omenous warning to all of our DIY mechanic members to check their pipes. The eldest Barchetta is now 13 yrs old and are now in that age bracket where these type of failures often occur so if they have heavy corrosion get them changed. They are a real pain in the neck to DIY but all the coloured paint in the world won't keep the fluid in, it's much more important to have the pipes clean and corrosion free.

For those that do have corrosion free pipes get them waxoiled or any other simmilar product to keep them that way.

From what I remember the fuel pipes are plastic, if so don't worry, but if they are metal the continual condensation can also cause failures to those so have a look at the same time (y)
 
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My thanks to everyone for the advice and I shall certainly consider the Bridgend people in future. It was rather overtaken by events as I suffered a brake failure, fortunately not a complete one. The fluid warning light came on, was close enough to Halfrauds to get fluid to top up, couldn't immediately see anywhere where it was losing fluid so risked driving the short distance home (Very slowly and carefully) Checked the fluid again at home and the level had already dropped, so had another look round and by crawling under the car (something I am not built for) saw that it looked damp around right hand rear suspension. I called the RAC out who identified the part as the brake compensator (?), unfortunately by trying to tighten the weeping union it gave way and lost all the fluid. They recovered the car to the Bridgend Fiat dealer who replaced the part, a length of brake pipe, the noisy bearings and rear brake pads. The RAC kindly provided a courtesy car while mine was off the road. It could have been a lot worse.
just a quick one what color is your b as my son seen a red one in bridgend the other day,or is your the silver held with duck tape ???lol
 
just a quick one what color is your b as my son seen a red one in bridgend the other day,or is your the silver held with duck tape ???lol

Neither, it's a black one. So far have not seen another one when I've been in mine. Occasionally see a red right hand drive one and used to see an orange one with a cracked rear bumper and a silver with red hood but not seen those for a while.
 
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