Technical Cento Sporting little issues

[RuiG]

Helloooo

I have to say my micro-machine is driving me a bit mad but I suppose it would be expected from a 12year old car.

I'm gonna have the headgasket changed just to make sure because there's a little oil residue around the engine block (oil level is within normal values, very clear and I don't get any oil drops in the garage). Head will also be skimmed when replacing.

A thing that is bothering me is that for the second time in one month I have water (cold) dripping on passenger side wheel arch and onto the floor (if like last time it's the window washer water again)

And a new one from today. My car usually runs rather cold (see here) but today it won't go under 75/80 on open road and cold weather. For the first time, (this happened after a quick stop to grab some coffee) when I started the ignition the temperature was 95ºC. Usually when I stop, the fan goes on and it levels at 90ºC (if the stop is quick that's the temperature when I turn the key).

Sorry for the long post, but I'm going to Fiat for a reading/test and I wanted to know wich things are better to replace in Fiat and wich ones can be a DYI (like sensors, engine and gearbox supports, lambda sensors, etc). My mechanic is a capable professional but some things should be observed in Fiat, right?

 

[fingers99]

Don't change the head gasket unless it has gone: the only way to be sure is a compression test or a coolant pressurisation test.

Completely pointless to do it "just in case" and expensive.

The rise in temperature when starting a car that has been switched off for a while is down to heat soak. It's not significant.

The oil residue -- if it starts above the exhaust manifold -- will be the rocker gasket.

The only things your FIAT dealer ,may have access to which your garagista probably doesn't are a reader for ECU faults. If your car isn't showing any ecu faults, there's nothing they can do which he can't.

No idea about the water: could be washer reservoir.

 

[RuiG]

Don't change the head gasket unless it has gone: the only way to be sure is a compression test or a coolant pressurisation test.

Completely pointless to do it "just in case" and expensive.

The rise in temperature when starting a car that has been switched off for a while is down to heat soak. It's not significant.

The oil residue -- if it starts above the exhaust manifold -- will be the rocker gasket.

The only things your FIAT dealer ,may have access to which your garagista probably doesn't are a reader for ECU faults. If your car isn't showing any ecu faults, there's nothing they can do which he can't.

No idea about the water: could be washer reservoir.

Yes, it does start above the exaust manifold, and the oil residue is more visibel in front of the block near the corners.

Sorry to ask, but I don't know how some words translate to portuguese: what's the rocker gasket? Do I buy it from Fiat or is it the same buying on the aftermarket?

 

[ycming]

It is the same as Cam cover gasket, if that helps?

Ming

 

[fingers99]

No idea what it is in Portughese -- some people call them cam cover gaskets (which is technically more accurate). FIAT or any of the aftermarket places: they're pretty cheap.

 

[ycming]

Would part number here, same as the one in port ?????? May be we can give him that ?

Ming

 

[RuiG]

Ok, what I need to do is this https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecen...val-refit-cam-cover-gasket-1108cc-engine.html . Is this the rocker/cam cover gasket?

If so, is this the head gasket https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento-guides/136702-cylinder-head-gasket-remove-refit.html ?

If I'm right on both, then I posted my inicial message with wrong info . Sorry for mistake, but thanks for help

The car is going for an ECU read next week so I'll have more info about it's true condition.

If I can ask for some extra minutes, take a look here and share some ideas on what could suddenly be causing my usual temperatures to rise.

Thanks.

 

[fingers99]

Yes, right on both gaskets.

When the temperature goes above 95C with the engine running, start to worry. Otherwise, forget it.

The ECU reading will not tell you anything (literally) unless the ECU has logged a fault (in which case the injector light on the dash will be on). It logs faults, but isn't a data logger in the accepted sense: unless the light is on, there will be nada revealed. (And your pocket will be 80euros lighter.)

 

[RuiG]

Won't the ECU teste give readings like cylinder pressure, valve readings/timings, etc? I know it costs some euros (that I nedd for the other cars and some bits for the Cento), so it's useless unless the injector light is on (wich at the moments goes off in 1/2 seconds after first key turn)?

I have a Volvo S60 D5 with repro, had an Audi A3 1.8T modded to some extent, have a Skoda Fabia 1.4MPI and a Golf II 1.3... with much shame on me , I never really took any interest in mechanics before the Cento, so please understand my concerns and doubts, even with things that are basic

 

[rallycinq]

The ECU in a cinq is basically stupid. It only takes information from a small number of engine sensors then triggers the injector appropriately.

It has no info on what is goin on in individual cylinders.

It only sees what comes out the exhaust with the O2 Sensor.

Cheers

PD

 

[fingers99]

I think the car is fine.

Stop worrying about it and ask your mechanic to take a peek at the water leak.

The timing hasn't slipped or it would be pretty obvious, the temperatures are well within spec, there's no evidence of a head gasket issue.

Just put some petrol in it and give it a good thrashing!

 

[RuiG]

I have a rahter heavy right foot and so far I don't really feel confident enough to rev it hard. I need to upgrade some stuff, with time, to see the car as a tarmac devil.

By the way, I was just watching the old Top Gear test on the Cento and thought it was really cool to hear Jeremy say good things about the car

 

[fingers99]

Ah, you found it! Good man!

 

[gazzajanimal]

Loved the video, just superb.
In fact I've embedded it in my Myspace profile!

:worship:

 

[RuiG]

Glad someone else like me never saw it It's a great review