Beam me up Scotty...

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Beam me up Scotty...

Joined
Nov 13, 2003
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Newcastle - upon - Tyne
Oh for the days when you could do anything to a car with only a socket set, screwdriver and a set of feeler gauges. (Came across my feeler gauges the other day, going rusty in an old tool drawer.)

Been tearing my hair out for a week now,(and I don't have that much to start with), trying to find an elusive misfire. Finally gave up today and went to the local Fiat for a diagnostic check as it was starting to get pretty bad. ;)

After trying assorted plugs around the engine bay the mechanic finally found one that connected to the right controller. He fires up his tester, hits a few options and with a knowing look says, "ah, it's your phase adjust relay".

"What's that?", I say, "B*G****D if I know", he replies, "I'll ask the foreman".

Foreman comes over, "Never heard of one of those before, there's some relays over there and that's a phase valve thingy over there.", he says pointing in the general direction of the engine.

So, I'm booked in for this Monday to give them time to talk to Fiat. They could "just replace the relay" but they are "not cheap" and "it may not even be broken". ;);)

In the meantime i'm driving a schizo car that keeps going from tractor to dragster and back again with no warning. It reminds me of an old hunter I used to ride, well hang onto anyway. ;)

Oh, and just in case you are wondering, it advances and retards the timing depending on how energetically you are driving and also helps regulate idle speed.|) I think. [:eek:)]



85% of Marea HLX drivers have speeding tickets.... lol they'll have to catch me first.
 
Found some info about the relay.
Engage brain before opening and make sure you take some time to rest it afterwards[:0]

http://www.dave-cummings.co.uk/cars/page37.jpg
http://www.dave-cummings.co.uk/cars/page38.jpg

85% of Marea HLX drivers have speeding tickets.... lol they'll have to catch me first.
 
Had a quick squint, it seems to be some variable valve timing system (like the honda VTEC but without the double lobes on the cam) which only works on the inlet valves. Awfully complicated if you ask me, but in essence an auto-adjusting camshaft pulley. Can't you rip it all out, put in an adjustable cam pulley and set the 9 degree advance anyway and accept it won't idle smoothly nor run that well when cold but will be fast all the time? :D

Was the wife's but its mine now!!
Lowered 40mm: Its a go-kart!!!
 
mmm... tempting[}:)]
I found the relay so i'm going to rip that to bits first in case it's just dirty contacts. I really want to be able to phone Fiat up and say Cancel, cos i've fixed it. [}:)];)

85% of Marea HLX drivers have speeding tickets.... lol they'll have to catch me first.
 
aaarrgh it's not there, the manual lied!

Anyone know where the phase transition relay is on a Marea HLX 20v?

Ah well, seeing as I have the relay cover off and a tin of blue engine lacquer...
;):D

85% of Marea HLX drivers have speeding tickets.... lol they'll have to catch me first.
 
Intermittent fault on the variable valve timing solenoid. £320 to fix[V]
I'll just have to live with the erratic driving until after christmas and the new year. Totally skint at the moment.:(

Glad to hear the cinq will be back on the road Ghost:D

85% of Marea HLX drivers have speeding tickets.... lol they'll have to catch me first.
 
Bloody hell, thats expensive. Saying that, looking at some parts for a friend who got a honda S2000, honda exhaust £1000! Headlamp £386!!
Fiat ain't too bad after all :D

Was the wife's but its mine now!!
Lowered 40mm: Its a go-kart!!!
 
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