Good evening from Canada, just introduced myself and my 1997 metallic blue Barchetta in the Newbies section.

I am facing a government safety inspection before I register her. I'm not so worried about that because it's standard stuff like 'does it have a windshield?'; but I am worried about all the possibly gotchas lurking in the background.

As this car is from an auction in Japan, service history is unavailable and I know there are a few things I really should be aware of. At the same time, I'm not likely to get parts in North America.

What do I really need to do, now, and any suggestions for parts dealers that will ship to Canada?

At the least, I'm thinking the timing belt is necessary but I understand there's a special tool for this...

Useful links:
1. Service Manual: http://download.fiat-bg.org/Books/Barchetta/
2. Barchetta "how to" page: http://www.fiatbarchetta.com/btech/
3. My favourite Europe parts supplier: barchettaparts.com Don't know if he ships to Canada but I don't see why not.
4. Be sure to join a fast response group like "Fiat Barchetta Group" on Facebook, this way you have hundreds of members brainstorming on your issues or anything related to B in no time. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2379264577/
5. Now, the car should be pretty solid, otherwise it will "tell" you if she's not. The car is very direct, you always feel is she's not OK. Engine is bullet proof, honestly. I grow to have great respect for her in terms of endurance.

Some lookout points with B:
-soft top leaks at windows (adjusting windows will fix it (ish)), easy to do, explained in the above "how to" link and pictures found in the Service Manual.
-careful not to open/close soft top in very cold weather (back plastic window can crack),
-diesel sound at startup - variator will cause this sound for 1 or 2 seconds, if it disappear afterwards is ok.
-To test Variator if it still has life in it do this: With engine warm, press throttle gently until the rev counter reaches 3000rpm and try to stabilise there. IF from the 3000rpm point the engine revs itself then the Variator is still viable otherwise...consider changing (especially if the diesel sound persists while driving).
-I advise regular oil changes sooner then 5000, 6000km if the car is old (mine is 95 and this manner of oil change has made miracles in terms of cleanliness inside the engine). I personally went for 5w40 as most engine wear happens at startup so a lower cold oil grade will do good, especially in Canada weather.
-It will eat front tires and bushes (not in scary way). FWD and lots of torque..not to mention the driver that cannot wait to hear that Italian sound every time !
-I recommend Eibach's lowering kit -30mm. It will improve cornering and give it a nice low look.
- if you get a whine noise at full lock when parking let's say that is the pressure relief valve from power steering, nothing to worry, just renew power steering oil.
-strange bump and cracking sound coming from left or right front side in the upper section at very low speeds - shock absorbers bearings located in the top side, under the wing.
- same as above but from lower side - CV joints
- check wheel bearing for play
- fuel light on and off at tight cornering and almost empty tank - nothing to worry, just fill up soon.

More to come

ps: camshaft locking tool for time belt change: http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/fiat-camshaft-locking-tool

Good luck!

Canadian Barchetta said:

I'm in Nova Scotia with a 1997, had it about a year, it's been somewhat reliable for an Italian car tons of UK sellers will send parts to Canada, little issues, like Tach will stop working for one day, then work for months, same with fuel gauge!
Fuel smell in cabin, that was a 3.00 fix once you get the fuel tank cover off the back, anyway if you want to chat I would have no problem, send me private message.

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What in particular was the fuel smell cause? I have fuel smell but in my case I think the fuel pump is not properly sealed as the rubber seal was chipped.

Hey thanks for the reply. I love Nova Scotia – even thinking of moving there if I can make it work with the way my career’s going.

Appreciate the tip on the fuel line – haven’t noticed it yet but I’m still going through things for my provincial safety inspection.

The big issue I have right now is the speedo working intermittently. I’ve found a few tips on this and will have to run through them, but it won’t pass the inspection unless it’s working 100%.

I was also hoping to order a set of lowering springs, and some touchup paint. Any websites in the UK you’ve found particularly complete and good on shipping? It’s just a little further here to the Wet Coast : )

Grazie!

Hi, sorry for the late reply, I’ve not been on here for a bit, it cost money every time I look here an find something I need

I bought stuff for several places in the UK, I had good luck with Balance motorsport, I got the Eibach with the Bilstein shocks from them.



You really need to move here, as our inspection does not include the speedo

But wait don’t as I have the only one here now, I know there are a couple of them out west, anyway it’s a nice toy, the front wheel drive is a little distracting at times and you can’t really throw it into corners with the same results of a rear wheel drive but you get noticed, I don’t know if you’ve been driving yours as yet but I find the car faster than what 130 horses should really move it, not sure if it’s perception or real.

We should talk sometime.

Hi, I'm new to the site. I have just purchased a 98 Barchetta, from an importer here in Toronto. I had a 78 x/19 years ago and loved that little car. My wife and I went everywhere in it. I,m in Rockwood, Ontario, and it's nice to hear of other Barchetta owners in Canada

Welcome aboard, eramosa. Enjoy your B!

Welcome eramosa! There's a few of us now in Canada I wish I could find a clean X1/9 now!

tasfalen said:

I wish I could find a clean X1/9 now!

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As I recall, the problem was finding a dry one! I looked at one back in 1981 - a second-hand one, less than 2 years old - and there was a swimming pool in the rear compartment! Great design though - a true 70s classic. Will Fiat ever be that bold again?

there is a mint 83 for sale in Dundas , north side of Hamiliton on kijiji. The lad wants 12 grand. Quite steep!!

Not steep, crazy. That's the sad thing here people are delusional and consequently instead of going to an enthusiast, these cars end up languishing, rotting, and scrapped.

Here in the west I can get a nice Barchetta and a Coupe landed from Japan for that price.