Technical 00' Sporting

[01marea16v]

Looking for a little guidance :-

Last Friday (8th) I went and had a test drive in a garages 00' sporting 1.1, had a good look around it (previously owned an abarth sporting for 2 years from new)

All seemed ok, took the car for a test drive and it drove well, however, when we arrived back on the forecourt the coolant warning light came on, the car was dumping all of its water out of a core plug !

Garage said they would get their garage to look at the car and let me know the situation, I left a deposit on the car

Garage called me back later that afternoon and said a new core plug had been ordered from Fiat and would arrive for fitting Monday or Tuesday

After not hearing anything today I called for an update, only to be told the core plug hadn't arrived yet !

Seems to me that something is not ringing true, surely its a stock item for Fiat UK ?

Just getting concerned that things are not as they should be as I don't even have a day/date when I am collecting the car yet

 

[Pep0]

If it popped a core plug I'd a looked for a service history...

Noel

 

[01marea16v]

I did check the service history prior to the test drive, seemed to be full and up to date

 

[Pep0]

I did check the service history prior to the test drive, seemed to be full and up to date

core plugs pop if the coolant has frozen or not had antifreeze for a long interval.

lots of seicento spares are no longer available.

 

[The Black Box]

But a core plug isn't specific to a fiat you just measure the size and get that size from a parts place most garages should have the common sizes laying around

 

[01marea16v]

Interesting ref core plug size, I am puzzled as to why its taking so long to fit a core plug, well, in fact, as of today the core plug hasn't arrived

I am going to leave it til Friday, then I guess Ill be asking for my deposit back if they cant deliver me a car or a date for me to collect it

 

[fingers99]

Really does point to crass neglect at some point.

Depending on which one popped it's an engine out job.

Have a fresh test drive after they've "fixed" it -- don't be shocked if the engine number no longer matches the one in the docs!

 

[cc1]

Delivery from Fiat is around 2-5 days when in the UK. I have had parts from Fiat Italy within 5 days.
Personaly, I would give the car a miss. A core plug leaking is signs of neglect.

 

[fingers99]

And they're still making cars which use the same core plugs.............

 

[Pep0]

If it has popped one core plug either it has been let get cold with just water or justaluminium inhibitor, i.e. no anti freeze. Or the internals have been corroding over some time coolant used beyond replace date.

Id want to replace all the core plugs for a dependable motor, and I think one of them needs the gear box separated from the engine, think of offering less money, or ask for deposit back and walk away..

Noel

 

[The Black Box]

I certainly would replace them all as well. Would need a coolant flush. I would suspect that the front pipe would show signs of leaking, the radiator clogged and extreme cases the head gasket going all due to the corrosion blocking the fairly small coolant channels. So I would get your money back and run there are still plenty of well looked after seis out there at good prices

 

[01marea16v]

Collected car late this afternoon and all is well, car needs a proper clean inside and out and will give it a mini service, failing light and rain ruled that out for today