General Bumble's Bee

[desert rat]

Sounds like a problem for your local Fiat garage.... Tell em what you need to order n let them sort out the mystery part no...

Sorry can't look at eper at the moment (for some wierd reason it only seems to work sometimes. I normally just get an error message).

Anyway looks like it's not serious and U will have 12 months to sort it out.!

Good to see that the weather is finally good enough to go driving around with your top off !!!

i'm sure that the owls will enjoy crapping on it over the summer

 

[bumble]

Haha Wayne. No owls in residence yet. My concern for the clip is that there is a small amount of movement on the drive shaft (about 5mm) and my mechanic is concerned that the shaft could come out under full lock harsh steering. I'm going to phone my local Fiat dealer tomorrow and find out what they have to say.

Steve

 

[bumble]

Been into Fiat dealership today to track down this retainer. The part is common to a number of Fiats and costs just £1.40 The problem is, the dealer wants to sell a packet of TEN. I know it's only £14 but, is this common when buying fiat parts from dealers? I didn't buy the 10 clips - I am a man of principle

Steve

 

[bollie69]

Been into Fiat dealership today to track down this retainer. The part is common to a number of Fiats and costs just £1.40 The problem is, the dealer wants to sell a packet of TEN. I know it's only £14 but, is this common when buying fiat parts from dealers? I didn't buy the 10 clips - I am a man of principle

Steve

Most small fiat items are sold in bulk. Try to order some bolts.
Like the 2 small next to the oilcap. They are sold in 6, and cost like €2/small bolts

 

[bumble]

Following the success of members fitting the replacement Gas Struts, I fitted mine this morning. Literally took 20 minutes to do both sides. The photo shows the replacement along side the old. You can see the old struts can be pushed fully home and therefore were doing no work. The new struts are marked 250N. The difference is remarkable in two respects. Apart from being easier to raise, the hood no longer drops when I'm lowering it and descends slowly into the storage well. Incidentally, the passenger side mounting bracket has been painted with the date 3:10:97. Is this the likely date of construction?

I have taken more shots and, although very easy to do, I could make a guide for the job if anyone thinks it might be useful.

Steve

 

[bumble]

Second job of the day was to do something about the leather. I have been meaning to do something about the worn and scratched seats since I bought the car and finally bought some leather restorer. Having cleaned the seats with baby wipes, I followed the instructions on the jar and, having massaged the restorer into the seats, polished them with a clean cloth. The results are impressive and the pics show some 'before and after' shots.

 

[Lexo]

That's really inpressive! Wich leather restorer did you use?

 

[bumble]

Hi mate. It's called Grisons. I got it from eBay (item 130377119614) Around £8.50 plus postage. There is enough in the jar to do a dozen seats. I was really impressed and will have another go in a few weeks. You can see the jar on the sill in the photos.

All the best

Steve

 

[bumble]

RUSTY NUTS! My wheel bolts are spoiling the look of the wheels. Are the originals chrome? Mine don't appear to have ever been chromed and are corroded. I could buy a set of chrome plastic covers but like to keep originality. Can anyone with original wheels/bolts advise?

Thanks

Steve

 

[bollie69]

Mine are rusted too. I have those chrome caps over them.
looks a bit tatty but they are alright, better the rusted bolts.

Chrome bolts are much better, but much more expensive then caps.

All original bolts are galvanised iron, but the zink goes off after a wheelchange and starts rusting.

 

[HP]

A quick clean and lick of silver Hammerite lasts about a year, otherwise new bolts aren't very expensive even from Fiat.

 

[bumble]

Thanks Bollie and Pete. I think I will take off two at a time, wire brush them and give them a coat of Hammerite as Pete suggested. Steve

 

[bollie69]

better to use this, last 10 years. at least if you don't damage the paint

http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAP...72644&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_2088wt_932

 

[bumble]

better to use this, last 10 years. at least if you don't damage the paint

http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAP...72644&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_2088wt_932

Thanks again friend. Looks like a very good product but more expensive than a set of new bolts.

Steve

 

[bumble]

Sorted my nuts - so to speak Took two off at a time, cleaned them with a rotary wire brush in the grinder, couple of coats of paint and refitted them. Just need a wash and polish now.

 

[bumble]

Don't know why this photo didn't upload with the other?

 

[F4usT]

looks nice. coca cola is also good for cleaning nuts. feel the power of bubbles.

 

[HP]

It's something to do with the phosphoric acid, I believe.

 

[bumble]

Thats about the only good use for coke - personally, I hate the stuff

I replaced my idle control valve today. I bought the ICV months ago following a recommendation from Ricky. The new part doesnt come with a gasket so I cleaned off the old one with a stanley knife blade and used a smear of gasket goo. The ICV is secured with two 4mm phillips screws and one of these was pretty chewed up and hard to remove. I replaced the screws with SS hex head screws/bolts which can obviously be driven with a socket. As Ricky reported, the tickover is now a bit high and I'm hoping this settles down as the ECU adjusts itself. I did take a pic but can't find the lead for my camera so I will upload it later.

Italian Car and Bike Day on Sunday and it's looking like Christine will be the only Barchetta on show.

 

[bumble]

Missing pics from the ICV post.