General A few Marea questions from a Marea newbee

[hurricane]

Hi there,

I'm just about to stump up for a 2000 Marea Weekend 2.0 20v and I was wondering if you guys could help me with a few questions I have.

Firstly, this timing belt thing. When's the time to have it donw and can it be done without pulling the engine, or is it always an engine-out thing.

Next, the clutch. Any comments on overall reliablility would be most welcome, and perhaps someone know if it's adjustable, or once it's lost it and is releasing a foot off the floor, does it need to be completely replaced.

And finally, when it comes to fuel, does the 2.0 version need premium juice or can you get away with using the cheap stuff without knackering up the motor?

Thanks a bunch for any answers, tips, help.

 

[Juan27]

I bought a nearly new 2.0 ELX in 1998 and ran it til 2001 (About 35K)on ordinary unleaded with no problems other than mpg! (25 was good) Never had any problems with the clutch, didn't have it long enough for cam belt to be an issue. I had a few problems with rear brakes binding and faulty ABS sensors but niggles really. The car was off the road for a week however whilst FIAT found an exhaust for it, but that should have improved by now.

 

[hurricane]

It seems they are pretty reliable, except for niggles. In Brazil, they're a big marque, so I doubt sourcing an exhaust for any Fiat would prove a problem, either from a dealer or another third party.

Interesting about the petrol. Thanks for that. Here, premium is much more expensive than regular, so I was hoping to not have to use it. 25 mpg sounds about right - as there's (about) 4 liters to a gallon, I was expecting 7 or 8 km/liter. Maybe more if I coast down hills.

 

[Juan27]

Too be more positive however it was pretty quick, saw an indicated 130mph in Belgium once, and it made a lovely lovely noise!

 

[polecat]

Hi,
Timing belt should be done about 50k. Some garages can change it by dropping the sub frame out. Ask around.
A 2.0 Marea will hit 130 without really trying, you have to check the speedo when overtaking otherwise you'll scare yourself when you do glance down.[}]
Give it a dose of purge when you change the oil to stop the VVT from sticking.

 

[hurricane]

Originally posted by polecat
Hi,
Timing belt should be done about 50k.

Hey there, you are saying miles, not kilometers, right?

Originally posted by polecat
Give it a dose of purge when you change the oil to stop the VVT from sticking.

What's purge? Like valve cleaner? I had a BMW 318 (no i) that had to be 'purged' once in a while. You should have seen the crap that came out of that when I added the treatment to the carb.

 

[polecat]

Oh yeah, miles, sorry[)], and also after about 5 years if low mileage. (Is there such a thing as kilometerage?)

Purge is a strong oil cleaner that you put in before an oil change to clean out the oil system. Do you get 'Wynns' products over there? I also put some valve train cleaner in the oil when my VVT was sticking and that appears to have cured the problem.

 

[hurricane]

In portuguese they say 'quilometragem', I guess it translates to distance. Saying mileage is so much easier, but no one would understand.

This timing belt thing is making me nervous. If I go for the 2000, then I'll almost immediately have to shell out for the job. Bugger.

I've never checked to see if there's anything like Wynns here. There probably is. Good call on the VVT fix as well.
[8D]

 

[hurricane]

I vetoed the Marea - maintenance is just too much here in Brazil.

R$1,000 for shock absorbers alone. *gag*

Got me a nice 2000 Palio Weekend Stile 1.6, air, leather, CD, alloys (54,000 km).

All for RS20,000 (about 4,000 squids).

And a lot less to keep on the road.

 

[polecat]

Ah well

Enjoy your motor