Hi
More problems with my seicento sporting - this time I've got loads of water peeing out onto the ground. It appears to be running down the join between the engine and gearbox - there's a metal plate between the engine and box with a folder over bit that sticks out the front and it's coming from behind that. It's difficult to explain but I'll get a photo if necessary.

Couple of questions - would this coupled with a shot radiator (weeping around the end tanks, not dripping but it's definitely leaking a bit) make it lose enough pressure to boil the expansion tank? I've read about a core plug behind the flywheel - how likely is it that it's this that's leaking, given the location of the dripping and the fact that I can't really see any leaks? And lastly, how hard is it to change said core plug if it's that?

Ta very much

It does sound like the core plug. Replacement is easy, but access may well mean you have to remove the gearbox. If you're loosing that much water, then the engine will obviously "brew up" -- aside from the lack of water and consequent hot spots, the system won't be running at above atmospheric pressure so it will boil much sooner.

Don't run the engine in this condition.

Ok thanks for that.

It's only been run once for about 10 minutes to get some juice back into the battery when it went flat.

Where can you get a replacement core plug from? Fiat only or will any old motor factors do them? How exactly do you replace it?

Gearbox off isn't a problem, just not sure about the plug itself.

Ta

Fiat (or It's Cento Time on eBay or Shop4Parts on line) is your best bet. To remove, just drive a screwdriver through the centre and ease out. To refit, tap in with a hammer and block of wood round the outside, then give the slighly domed section as a good tap in the middle with a soft drift. You could use a bit of hlomar or such round the edges, but it should be fine without.

Thanks.

I'll pull the gearbox off this weekend and take a look.

Just make sure that the thermostat housing is intact first, its at that end of the engine.

Cheers

SPD

That's a good idea, I'll check that out first. I have a spare gasket for that so I'll chuck that on.

Anyone know how many bolts hold the box on? Iirc I've got 5 bolts and one nut (near the starter) from the box - engine and two bolts for the starter so far but it doesn't want to budge...

Try rotating the box around the axis of the flywheel, if there are no studs.

If it rotates but wont separate, was the clutch working ok before you started to dismantle?

There is also an inspection plate that can be removed, I think?

Noel

fingers99 said:

You could use a bit of hlomar or such round the edges, but it should be fine without.

Click to expand...

I always use a brass wire brush to remove any/all trace of debris, and then sealant, been known to use instant gasket, but that is probably not approved...

Noel

Make sure you've removed the starter motor before you try and split it. If it's never been apart before, they can be difficult to seperate, especially if you don't hold te box dead level.

Starter has three bolts.

Cheers

SPD

That probably explains it... I'll get under it tonight and have another look.

Afaik it's never been apart before. Clutch was working fine.

Thanks again for the help

Altough the stud through the back will prevent the box turning until is comepletely free, its quite a big hole it goes into so should feel loose enough when you get all the bolts undone.

make sure the engine and box are supported as you remove. Try to avoid the weight of the box being on the input shaft at any point.

Cheers

SPD