Technical Help save my 2001 Abarth please!

[Powers]

Hi there people,

I have a lovely yellow 2001 hgt abarth which is my pride and joy.

I took it on from my brother in law last year, not realising that mechanically it is in quite bad condition; lesson learnt here for the future here..!

I have just had it MOT'd and diagnosed, - Unfortunately I am not the most mechanically minded, and do not think I am able to work on the car myself unless its fairly easy.

Its in need of:
4 tyres (standard)
2 new front springs
Front flexi exhaust downpipe
A new throttle body, due to stalling shortly after start, but perhaps this can just be cleaned?
And apparently the cambelt is making noise - is there any way I can check this, and find out whether it has been replaced without service history?

Its done 76k.

Now I am just wondering what you lot recommend doing?
And can recommend any good reasonably priced garages to get the work done? (any idea how much I may be looking at?).

I live in Oxford and commute to Basingstoke, so anywhere with in reasonable distance from these places would be ideal?

Or perhaps or should just cut my losses and sell it? =(

Any help greatly appreciated,

James

 

[beau]

first of all, if the cambelt hasnt been done, dont start the car ever again until its been done, tow it somewhere to be done etc.

once thats done its pretty easy/cheap diy jobs.

 

[Dan89]

I agree with beau, the cam belt will need to be changed as a precaution. Cam belt and springs need special tools so I would say it's a garage job, though the springs are relatively easy to do if you get some spring compressors but you still have to take apart all the front suspension, hubs off etc.

Tyres can be done anywhere just get some half decent branded ones and you'll be ok

You can't cut your losses for what is routine work

 

[richie.guy]

Throttle body give it a clean but be careful with the MAF!

Flexi it will be cheaper to get a custom place to weld one in as the part is expensive (£100+).

Springs are easy DIY.

As beau says tow to a garage and get the cambelt, water pump and advance variator replaced.

 

[Powers]

Ok thank you for your help.

Is there a haynes manual for the abarth/HGT? Or something similar?
I think I can manage the springs, perhaps, but I am not so sure about cleaning the throttle body.

Will get those three things seen to asap.

Thanks for help.

 

[richie.guy]

No there isn't.

www.puntomk2.co.uk, if you join as a member there's a guide etc.