Hello,

At last got my 99 80sx on the road having sourced a 40,000 mile engine from a scrappy for £175 and getting it put in by a very friendly local garage for £300(which included new timing belt, flush out, power steering fluid change etc.)

I am delighted with the car and only have a couple of issues I would like some advice on.

Airbag warning light on which wasn't there prior to the engine being fitted. Should I be concerned?

Gearbox can be slightly notchy particularly when stationary and changing to 1st, also clunks slightly on engaging reverse. It is fine when moving. Having read the problems with 1.2s was wondering have I much life left in it? or should I be on the look out for a replacement already? Dont do much mileage and dont intend to thrash the car.

Any replies would be most welcome.

Cheers Phil

£475 for an engine change

philmgro said:

Having read the problems with 1.2s was wondering have I much life left in it? or should I be on the look out for a replacement already?

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a wise 1.2 owner will have spares ready and waiting, especially the diff.

the notchyness going into 1st should be the synchromesh since it is only in 1 gear. thats something you'll have to live with unless you change the box.
the problem with reverse is almost expected on bravo/as. its nothing to worry about.

Thanks Jug,

Bought the car for £100 so getting it on the road for under £500 was a bonus.

Cheers Phil

in that case you're still set to make a profit when you sell it. the 1.2s are easy to sell and fetch good money.

Especially a good example. There are various threads about airbag lights etc but all end up in 2 options.

1)Take it to FIAT and get fault codes read.
2)Remove the bulb (which i dont agree with)

And loathed as i am to pay someone i'd guess FIAT option, but seeing as the problem wasnt there before and you paid a fair whack for the engine change i'd take it back to where you got it done, or check all the connectors etc yourself as one could have got knocked or taken out.