Hi All,

I have recently become the owner of a Cinq 900 and have discovered the usual faults which I have read about on here - mainly a leaky (and hidden) windscreen wash bottle and a strong smell of petrol .

I followed the instructions on this site and repaired the bottle - thanks all . My next task is the fuel tank.
I can see where to buy a replacement tank for £65 and was thinking of doing the work myself. (I have already spoken to Fiat about the recall, but was turned down).
Does anyone have any hints/tips about doing this job myself. Perhaps I shouldn't even attempt it?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Glen.

Did you talk to FIAT HQ or just your local dealer?

You have -- except when you have an exceptionally good dealer -- to talk to FIAT HQ.

Otherwise, it ain't brain surgery. Lots of penetrating oil on the fixings for the tank well before you start (worthwhile using a real penetrating oil rather than WD40). Removing or demounting the exhaust will help access.

A Haynes would be useful.

Thanks for the reply.

I did actually phone Fiat HQ.

They asked for the VIN, but I don't know why because after a few minutes of muffled conversation amongst themselves they confirmed that this car had been viable for the recall but that Fiat would not now be prepared to do the work!:bang:
The reason they gave was that this recall had ended (or words to that effect) due to the length of time it had been.

So, if I am to do the replacement myself, is it just a case of unbolting the tank from the underside of the car (making sure I use good penetrating spray) and then remove the hoses? Is there anything to be done from within the car? Perhaps the boot holds some secrets?

Thanks again.

Glen

There's nothing in the boot.

You can lift the rear seat and unbolt the small metal hatch over the fuel pump.. that will allow you to disconnect the wiring to the fuel pump and gauge before you lower the tank.. but it may be just as easy to do that from below (though unlikely.. you get a good view and access to it from inside the car).

Ralf S.

Thanks Ralf S and Fingers99.

When you say "Lift the rear seats", do you mean unbolt from the floor?
I have done a lot of work on motorbikes over the years, but cars - no

Thanks again.

Glen

Not 100% sure on this but i thought they HAD to do a recall is it was saftey related and your car came under the specifications? even if its expired. Mine was just out of the recall date (1999 Sei) but they did it any way after recall.

no u can just lift seat up with out unbolting anything, then u can see a plate, undo the 4 botlts, then u can disconnect all the wire to the tank! like the petrol guage.

watchyourbaK said:

Not 100% sure on this but i thought they HAD to do a recall is it was saftey related and your car came under the specifications? even if its expired. Mine was just out of the recall date (1999 Sei) but they did it any way after recall.

Click to expand...

It may just be worthwhile contacting VOSA (who oversee recalls) to see if they think it should be done. If they say yes, you can be sure FIAT will go along with it!

glenofkent said:

Hi All,

I have recently become the owner of a Cinq 900 and have discovered the usual faults which I have read about on here - mainly a leaky (and hidden) windscreen wash bottle and a strong smell of petrol .

I followed the instructions on this site and repaired the bottle - thanks all . My next task is the fuel tank.
I can see where to buy a replacement tank for £65 and was thinking of doing the work myself. (I have already spoken to Fiat about the recall, but was turned down).
Does anyone have any hints/tips about doing this job myself. Perhaps I shouldn't even attempt it?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Glen.

Click to expand...

It's funny that you mention the washer bottle. I was going to fill mine up the other day as I'm bored and waiting for the rest of my engine to come back from Scholar. Anyway, where the hell is it? I thought mine had gone missing but maybe it hasnt. I followed the hose from the jet on the bonnet down to the sill under the windscreen and then it disapears. Where is the bottle? I cant find the guide you were on about. Could someone send me the link?

Cheers

Matt

It's under the driver's side front wing, just behind the headlamp. Look for a black filler cap.

Thanks everyone for your help on this.

I will contact VOSA to see what they have to say on the matter. If it comes to nothing then at least I am fully equipped to do the job myself.

I can't recall which thread detailed the whereabouts of the bottle, but I think there was more then one. I was specifically looking for instructions to repair a leak from the bottle or a perished hose.
You will find the bottle by doing the following:

Jack up the driver's (OS) front wheel. This allows for better access.
Remove the 4 bolts/screws which hold the wheel-arch lining to the car and allow the lining to drop and rest on the wheel.
The bottle is just behind the drivers' side headlight.

You obviously don't need to do this to fill it up

Glen

Hi

I had my fuel tank replaced free around 2 months ago. They try saying it finished etc but if you keep pushing them they will do it eventually.