bravo problems? i think? :P

[Dave]

Just got my 1.4SX and have a few problems (well I think they are problems... maybe just because its a little different to driving my previous Pug 106 1.5d )

Ok: -

1. Steering wheel is slightly turned right around a cm... so the Fiat logo isn't straight when driving in a straight line, is that normal?

2. After getting home at night and leaving the lights on I got out to have a look around the front of the car and there was some smoke (kinda like what you get from the top of a deep fat fryer) coming up from the right light from under the bonnet... Ive had a look at some other engines on eBay and they all seem to have some plastic tubing over the radiator at the front of the car with a kinda tube for air? Is this missing from my used car or was it standard to not have one on a 1.4SX 12v?

3. When turning the ignition from scratch it starts fine, but on the odd occasion if I turn the key to turn the heater, lights, etc on and then try the ignition it won't start (just recharged the battery too)

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[Cam]

Mine is like that, barring number two.

Not very helpful, lol, granted, just my ha'peneth!

Cam, the car Newbie.

 

[Tom]

Was it cold or raining when you saw the 'smoke'?

 

[Anonymous]

nope, dry normal weather... a little cold... I was using the car for around an hour when I got out for a look

 

[Gary]

1 is dead easy to fix.

Go to a tyre dealer and tell them to do do the tracking.

You should get this done when new tyres are fitted and new suspension etc, everything that may put it out slightly, even normal driving will put the tracking out i think.

This use apparatus to center the steering wheel and adjust the tracking from under the car.

Costs about £20 max.

Gary

 

[Tom]

Pity thats not how they actually do it

 

[Gary F]

How do they do it?

I watched them doing it, they had a metal pole from the seat to the steering wheel keeping it centered and the lad altered it by sliding under the car and adjusting it behind the wheel iirc.

Gary

 

[Anonymous]

They had this laser thing on the front wheels as well, poiting to a plate on the back and he kept adusting something under the car until they met up i presume.

Gary

 

[Tom]

The thing on the wheel just stops it spinning freely.

Most of them set the tracking such that there are an equal number of threads showing on each track rod end, they never look at the steering wheel. The theory is to ensure the rack is centred. But usually the whole steering rack assembly is a few mm off centre so this results in the wheel being skew.

The first check is to ensure the wheel is straight, turn it all the way left and note the angle of the wheel then all the way right and see of the angle is the same both ways. If its different then the wheel is not on straight.

Then go to the garage and explictly say 'SET IT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT!' and keep your fingers crossed they do it right.

 

[Anonymous]

well thats number 1 sorted, what about the other problems? especially number 2 :S

 

[Tom]

My guess would be its just a bit of condensation or something boiling off, most likely nowt to worry about.

 

[Insomnia]

1. Nope, not normal. I had same problem on mine. After a lot of money and numerous garages, I had to get it done properly on some expensive kit that measured everything and guided the mechanic what to do. For proper wheel alignment that will be spot on, you looking at £50-£60.

2. Can't help with the smoke but the plastic tubing you mention does not come with the 1.4 engine. The 1.4 gets air from a different location.

3. Er, so you turn everything on and you wonder why car won't start? You are putting some strain on the car. Couple of times my car has stalled (me being a crap driver) and when I've gone to quick restart it - it won't. I have to turn some things off. Kinda stands to reason.

HTH!

Ins.

Dec '97 1.8GT / 105,000 miles (New engine @ 77,000)
Current Status: Running Well

 

[Tom]

Ins, read a couple of messages earlier for an explanation of why the wheel is not always straight.

You HAVE to ask them to set it straight, the machines care not where the wheel is.

 

[Insomnia]

/me grabs reading glasses

Aaaah. My bad

Getting the garage to set the wheel straight is a bit hit and miss if you go to a place like Hi-Q or Kwik-Fit tho I've noticed. On one attempt on mine, they made the wheel worse (even tho I did ask them to keep wheel straight!).

Ins.

Dec '97 1.8GT / 105,000 miles (New engine @ 77,000)
Current Status: Running Well

 

[Tom]

You need to stand over them most of the time. They just set the trackrod ends equal and wait for the green light on the machine.

 

[a]

a

'2. Can't help with the smoke but the plastic tubing you mention does not come with the 1.4 engine. The 1.4 gets air from a different location.'

maybe air from above the headlight???

 

[josh]

ignition

i think all bravo's are the same that if you turn it so that the heaters etc come on you then have to turn it all the way back before starting ignition, think someone said its to do with the imobiliser. its exactly the same when you stall it have to turn it right off then on. thats great if it happens in the dark cos all you're lights go off then on, perhaps i should just stop the misses driving lol

 

[Mick]

Number 3?

When you say it wont start do you mean you cant turn the key or the key turns the engine turns over but doesnt start?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Number 3?

the key turns the engine turns over but doesnt start

 

[Tom]

Re: Number 3?

Does it turn slower than normal when it doesn't start?