Brava 2001 Brava 1.6 SX - Beppe

[puntodeltathema]

Looking good! I wonder if the wiper non-park issue might be related to the scuttle area being damp?

 

[puntodeltathema]

Re the sunroof, it may just be a lack of lube (push the sunshade right back manually, if it isn't already, to lighten the load on the motor). Judicious squirting of a tiny bit of silicone lubricant on the rail tracks from inside the car (with the sunroof open in the "spoiler" position to give more space) may help. (Watch the trim!) Also, when you have the sunroof raised in the spoiler position, does the metal cross-piece at the back look correctly aligned? There are a couple of small daft plastic clips right at the back of it, linking it to the rails and these can break (also shows up as play/rattles with the sunroof in the spoiler position). May contribute to a jam but hopefully it's not that as I can't see how you can replace the clips with the sunroof in situ....

 

[StevenRB45]

Looking good! I wonder if the wiper non-park issue might be related to the scuttle area being damp?

I'd say that was a good shout, my 85 elx wipers stopped working one day mid rain storm.

Pulled over and started dismantling...found the scuttle to be a swimming pool covering the wiper motors. On draining the affected area it never happened again.

On the subject of a multitude of hidden sins..my 85 was the same silver. It was incredible in the way it hid things, you only didn't realise it was dirty until you washed it, dents disappeared from more than 3 feet away.

 

[puntodeltathema]

On the subject of a multitude of hidden sins..my 85 was the same silver. It was incredible in the way it hid things, you only didn't realise it was dirty until you washed it, dents disappeared from more than 3 feet away.

Yes Steel Grey is a great colour for not showing road grime....my current Ink Black Brava is a different matter

 

[Didge3]

It had crossed my mind the swimming pool under the scuttle could be related but I quickly forgot
The colour is indeed excellent at hiding dirt and marks, maybe I'll just have him be dirty for Brooklands

 

[StevenRB45]

It had crossed my mind the swimming pool under the scuttle could be related but I quickly forgot
The colour is indeed excellent at hiding dirt and marks, maybe I'll just have him be dirty for Brooklands

To be fair mine was so bad you could hear water moving under braking and acceleration...it was on my "I should look into that at some point list" right until I ended up at the side of the road in the rain with no wipers.

 

[puntodeltathema]

If you're going to Brooklands I'll try and get there - don't suppose there have ever been two Bravas there before.....!

 

[puntodeltathema]

Perhaps we can prompt an Auto Italia retrospective on the Bravo/Brava...

 

[Didge3]

Perhaps we can prompt an Auto Italia retrospective on the Bravo/Brava...

I'll be there, two Brava's at Auto Italia, fancy that! I saw a dark red coloured one on the Fiat motor club stand at the NEC last year, no idea who it belongs to but imagine the giddiness of 3 Brava's in one place

 

[ben]

If you're going to Brooklands I'll try and get there - don't suppose there have ever been two Bravas there before.....!

Don't just try, do it!

Then rsvp the event to encourage others!

 

[puntodeltathema]

Good to hear the updates...I was gutted not to get to Brooklands with my black Brava but alas was seriously behind with work that week.

Amazing MPG - though even I can get early 40s out of my older auto on a decent run. Who says old cars aren't good for the planet?

Forza Beppe and keep it coming!

Only news on mine lately is that the 22-year old radiator sprang a leak (as did the heater matrix last year - the point I stepped in to rescue it from scrapping). Sourcing the unique rad for the 98-on auto (with the integral oil cooler) was a challenge but managed to track down a Marea one in Italy....

 

[puntodeltathema]

Oh no!

Check the cleanliness of all the relay connections in the little black metal box in front of the battery - they get cruddy and can lead to odd fan and temp gauge behaviour.

There's a procedure for filling those radiators with the (I always think strange) side expansion tank - they are a bit counter-intuitive. With the system empty, just keep filling until coolant eventually comes through the bleed hole(s). This may be where the level in the tank is unfeasibly high (like, in the filler neck well beyond max). But once the engine is started and the cap closed the level will settle - if doing it from empty. But if you've now got to a decent place with the level having run it, then probably best to leave alone. But keep an eye on it, you may need to add coolant for a period before it finally settles.

Nick

 

[varesecrazy]

Still a lovely sight
My £200 marea weekend had EXACTLY the same wiper issue..
I found a Bravo-a in my local yard..

But the motor was a 'Hitachi'...not a Marelli.. however it LOOKED identical

So paid my Fiver..or whatever

And it fitted perfectly

Normal wipers again

 

[Didge3]

Still a lovely sight
My £200 marea weekend had EXACTLY the same wiper issue..
I found a Bravo-a in my local yard..

But the motor was a 'Hitachi'...not a Marelli.. however it LOOKED identical

So paid my Fiver..or whatever

And it fitted perfectly

Normal wipers again

I'm very suspect of the motor and expect its the issue in my case too, given its been drowned in water every time it rains for god knows how long prior to my ownership.
I did find the drain for the scuttle whilst investigating my overheating issue. There's a funny little pouch that pokes out beneath the scuttle in the engine bay which has a hole in the bottom and just drips basically onto the exhaust (EGT cooler? )
Shoving a finger up in there and wiggling it around I was able to pull a lot of muck out and it dribbles water faster now, the wipers need to come off really so I can remove the whole scuttle panel but its not a job I'm looking forward to.

 

[varesecrazy]

I may well have detalled my swap..

In the Marea section..or GUIDES

You will find the 'pollen filter' too

:yuck: