Hi guys. All well?

A few weeks back, I posted an issue I had about my MK2 8v revving itself up when changing gear. I've managed to sort this by getting hold of a second hand throttle body for €70. Ouch. Rare as hens teeth, aparently! I eventually got her through an NCT, she failed first time on headlight focus. That was all. However, a few niggles still remain.....

As of Monday, my baby will have her heart ripped out. Yepp, the engine and box are coming out to do the following:

1). Clutch and release bearing (fairly bad juddering coming from it)
2). Head gasket (oil leak, never overheated. Phew!)
3). Crankshaft oil seal (again, a leak under the timing cover)

I figured it would be easier to rip them out rather than do them on the car, more room for tools and hands etc....I will keep photos and info posted on this thread for anyone who needs some directions on how to do these jobs themselves. Should have it all done and dusted in a day or two. Luckily, I have the equipment at home i.e. A ramp, various tools and plenty of time

Stay cool,

aido1196.

how you know its headgasket? did you do compression test? that oil leak is probably just cam seal, also crankshaft oil leak is probably cam seal too, just wipe all so you will know for sure where it is commin from, and for the clutch if you got insurance that they tow it for free when car breaks down i would drive it till it lasts

cam cover 1 hour work if you take it slow

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2-2b-guides/340549-1-2-8v-cam-rocker-cover-gasket-change.html

I have already changed the rocker cover gasket a few months back. Now the leak is coming from below the exhaust manifold, where the head and block meet.

And as for the clutch, for the sake of €80 i'm just gonna do it. I couldn't be arsed with all that breakdown sh!te they make you go through when you breakdown.

before removing head buy compression tester and check if it rly blew

I have one here. I'll run it tomorrow and see what's what. Cheers for the knowledge.

So I took the engine out this morning and ripped the head and gearbox off.

Clutch was f**ked, as was the head gasket. The clutch was slipping and so was worn down to the rivets on the disc. The pressure plate was rusted, and the release bearing fell off. Literally, the ball bearings were destroyed. It was an original FIAT clutch, and the car has 89,000 miles on it. Not surprising.

As for the head gasket, it was leaking on cyliner 1 and 4, there are visible marks on the gasket. The head is not warped,so didn't need to be machined. Good news! Just sanded it down, along with the blok with P80 grit sandpaper and a flat block.

I also replaced Exhaust Manifold gaskets, Rocker Cover gasket, Inlet Manifold gaskets, Throttle Body gasket, Thermostat housing gasket and Stretch bolts. All is good now. I didn't need to change the timing belt, as I changed it, along with the tensioner and waterpump 1,700 miles ago.

Few small things left to do in the morning, like bleeding the clutch and putting the antiroll bar back on, so she should be back on the road tomorrow evening.

Looking forward to my first spin

-aido1196

you'll stall it

New clutchs always catch me out

i'd let it idle to start with as well - to ensure there is no unwanted noise

Ziggy

D'ya know what Ziggy, I stalled it....... I was so used to a high biting point that I lifted the clutch pedal too high and WHAM, stalled it in front of a bunch of lads in the petrol station, but hey, I have my N-Plates (Numpty plates ), which are a legal requirement in Ireland for 2 years after you pass your driving test

I let her idle for nearly an hour, temperature stayed bang on, fan kicked in perfectly and there were no airlocks after i bled the system. Took it for a good spin and she flew! Better than new I'd imagine. It was a nice job, no surprises, although i DESPISE the FIAT clips on the pipes. Why can't they use jubilee clips like normal people?!?!?!?!?! Ive replaced about 5 with jubliees

-aido1196

aido1196 said:

D'ya know what Ziggy, I stalled it....... I was so used to a high biting point that I lifted the clutch pedal too high and WHAM, stalled it in front of a bunch of lads in the petrol station, but hey, I have my N-Plates (Numpty plates ), which are a legal requirement in Ireland for 2 years after you pass your driving test

I let her idle for nearly an hour, temperature stayed bang on, fan kicked in perfectly and there were no airlocks after i bled the system. Took it for a good spin and she flew! Better than new I'd imagine. It was a nice job, no surprises, although i DESPISE the FIAT clips on the pipes. Why can't they use jubilee clips like normal people?!?!?!?!?! Ive replaced about 5 with jubliees

-aido1196

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plates that show to everyone that you cant drive? that for real? people are probably ramming cars with these plates to get new free parts

what does it say in law in case of crashes these 2 years? do you get blamed no matter what?

flisko said:

plates that show to everyone that you cant drive? that for real? people are probably ramming cars with these plates to get new free parts

what does it say in law in case of crashes these 2 years? do you get blamed no matter what?

Click to expand...

The idea behind the plates is to show other motorists that you're new on the road, and to take it easy on you. IMO, thats a load of bullsh!t, because they still beep at you and overtake at breakneck speed. The plates do f*ck all. They just advertise that you're a noob. You have to display them for 2 years from the date you pass your test. If you dont and you're caught, its 2 points and an €80 fine i believe.

I'm unsure about crashes, i dont know if you're automatically blamed. They cant do that, because its very possible that its not your fault. Its a stupid system IMO.

-aido1196

2 points and 80 eur i would risk that, if you drive normally and per speed limits and every light on car works, chances of you getting pulled over by police is rly slim, almost as slim as winning the lottery

TBH i wouldnt risk it. I'm a law abiding citizen

are these plates located in usual place or?

They are in the top right or left corner or your front and rear windscreens. It's a big red N on a white background. They even have regulations as to the size of the plates!!!!!

Heres the RSA's info on the plates. http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Novice-Plates-Introduction/

aido1196 said:

They are in the top right or left corner or your front and rear windscreens. It's a big red N on a white background. They even have regulations as to the size of the plates!!!!!

Heres the RSA's info on the plates. http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-licence/Novice-Plates-Introduction/

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is this a sticker?
how about adding some letters?

1k fine?

Non-display of N plates is an offence under traffic law and is punishable by a fine not exceeding €1,000 for a first offence. On becoming a fixed change the failure to display an N-plate will carry 2 penalty points on payment of a fixed charge, or 4 on conviction.

Hahahahahaha BOON I love it! I might try that for the craic!

It's not really a sticker, more a static piece of plastic. There is no glue, it just kinda sticks to the window. Its like clingfilm ,only a bit thicker, and red.....and white.....You get the idea? :slayer:

And yeah, €1000 fine and penalty points! Seems a bit much, don't ya think?

yea 1k is a little to much

but surely the popo can understand that due to your stupid and young age you simply honestly forgot to put it on and you got it below your seats?

As part of routine servicing I would suggest disconnecting the temperature sensor with the ignition on. It should put the fan on immediately. The 8v has a tendency to not put it on and it can be too late when you realise it. The eml lamp will stay lit for the next three cycles and then go away.
Our original clutch lost the bearing at 42k and we have a headgasket in with no skim 26k ago.
Change the alternator belt every few years or so. They let go and can take out the timing belt at the worst possible time.

flisko said:

yea 1k is a little to much

but surely the popo can understand that due to your stupid and young age you simply honestly forgot to put it on and you got it below your seats?

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They dont give a flying f*ck, if they dont see them, lights out. Game over. Failure to display them is just as bad as not having them at all, according to them....

Brendan W said:

As part of routine servicing I would suggest disconnecting the temperature sensor with the ignition on. It should put the fan on immediately. The 8v has a tendency to not put it on and it can be too late when you realise it. The eml lamp will stay lit for the next three cycles and then go away.
Our original clutch lost the bearing at 42k and we have a headgasket in with no skim 26k ago.
Change the alternator belt every few years or so. They let go and can take out the timing belt at the worst possible time.

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I'll keep that in mind for my next service, due in a month. My engine didn't overheat, never went above halfway on the gauge, but the head gasket still went, probably due to age and there was an oil leak too. Good to get some insider knowledge. I've a few friends with 8 valvers too, so I shall let them know. Cheers