Thanks Ralf, oddly for the first time today on the way to work it just had a slight issue for a few seconds. I think my journey took a little longer than normal so you maybe right. I haven't had time to check out the pipes or sparks yet but all this info is invaluable if I have to take it to someone or do get a few moments to check it.

When did I become so busy I don't have half an hour to do some checks on my car?

happens to us all mate.. i have so many little projects near completion now and never find time to finish them, so annoying!!

I have treated the car to redex during a fill up and will give her the other part of the bottle in the hope she struggles on a little longer before I can check her over.

I really need to name her or him

So managed to find 20 mins to check under the air filter (that was pretty clean as Caslad stated). Couldn't see any obvious splits or damage, pipe under the air filter was a little tricky to get back in place so not sure if that was off or not and was just a push fit?

I had the rocker cover gasket replaced when I had some other things done but this seems to be still leaking (common issue I believe) could this be causing issues as it warms up with oil getting into anything?

Probably needs spark plugs changing but these look a little tricky stuck under things at the back?

Slight squealing from belt when damp and cold for a few seconds but nothing obviously loose.

Havent had time to check it at night yet

they usually leak simply cause people tighten the bolts too tight and it squishes the gasket too much. Oil thins as it warms so yeah it will leak worse when hot, any leak will.

Or they have not put the little dabs of instant gaskets in the tight corners where it goes up over the cam caps. Alternatively too much instant gasket.

For it to not leak all you need to do is take it off and make sure the surface is properly clean, put 4 little blobs of suitable instant gasket in the sharp corners, refit the cover and tighten to 8Nm, thats really not tight, just over finger tight basically. Then it won't leak at all

Do clean it all down and check around the cam seals too, as you dont want to spend the time to find it was one of them leaking all along. The one at coilpack end is easy to change, just an o-ring on back of the coilpack holder.. the other is a bit more involved as timing belt has to come off etc.

Cam seals? I'm lost already lol

Cleaning? Are we talking steam clean or hand clean?

Thanks for the advice so far and I will try to look at the sparks in the dark on Saturday

i just meant spray some cleaner, brake cleaner would be good.. it should blast all the crap off pretty easy and quick then just wipe it over with a rag.

cam seals.. its prob not them but worth a quick look. coilpacks are at one end, have look around there for leak coming from behind the holder. other end you'd have to take the belt cover off but then there is just the big cam pulley at top, any leaks coming from around the middle of that?

Its most likely just the rocker cover gasket leaking but thats where else i would check at same time.

I'm pretty sure its just the rocker cover leaking but would this cause my issue on its own if its getting into anything?

no it won't cause any funny running at all, just make a mess and make it horrible to work on the car lol.

I dont have any experience of the mpi seicentos myself.. only spi and cinqs really.

Still not had an occasion when its running rough and its dark so I may go with changing the ignition (HT) leads and spark plugs anyway as these probably haven't been done in a while. Any particular type or any matching will do, its not a sports car so just Halfords ones OK?

Hellfrauds leads would be ok yes but I'd look around online first, stuff like this is often cheaper online. EuroCarParts usually have a deal on service parts and things and as convenient as Hellfrauds. And do have a look on ebay and amazon etc too.

Plugs wise i use NGK in everything, not to say other brands are bad - NGK makes good quality plugs though and if just my preferred brand, seicento use BCPR6E

Thanks Blu, NGK is fine with me and I just don't know enough to buy leads off ebay in case they are rubbish. My ebay success rate for anything is about 70% lol

the trick is to get the manufacturer part number from somewhere else, then search for that rather than say 'seicento ht leads'. For a stock car though any will pretty much do really. I tend to buy silicone covered ones cause i know they last longer but its not really required

See now on eBay putting the part no in for the spark plug brings up the right part but inputting the car details before you buy it tells me it’s the wrong part. Online shopping may be cheaper but it sucks

not when its over an hour and back to the nearest motor factors like it is for me its not lol.. I buy nearly everything online these days lol

Your a lot more in the know with these things than me Blu and its a few minutes for me to many places I can get the parts, just dearer lol

To be fair I would rather live miles from anywhere but the wife likes people, I prefer sheep

We got free range sheep here mate, they randomly walk down the street and cut everyones grass once in a while lol. And loads of deers and wild boar also Although all 3 of said animals like to jump out on you when you are driving along, still... keeps it exciting i suppose lol

With price of lamb, that could be a God send lol

Should I just go for the spark plugs with that code even though it says it’s not for my car as I’m sure there must be just the one type for the Seicento?

yep its the same plug for nearly all the 8v fire engines, if its BCPR6E then its right

I just ordered a cheap set of leads and those plugs (ebay) so I will know soon enough lol
If it all fits and doesn't cure the problems then its onto changing the next bit until I do find it. I can always buy better quality at a later date if I need it. Might as well change it all as I go so at least I know they are done