500 New Owner

[FindAName]

Hi all

figured I would drop a quick line to say Hi and introduce myself.

Just bought a 2010 500 1.2 which is currently a non runner for my daughters first car. We got it from a family member so am assured it was running ok before it went off road but if I am honest it was a little bit neglected butt @ £600 it was worth a punt!

My Daughter has an Interest in engineering so figured it would be a good project to teach her a few things and have some good old bonding time . She even took notes when we did the timing belt and water pump

May well come knocking when/if we hit any walls (hopefully not)

Mike

 

[steveras57]

Welcome Mike! .
Nice to "bond" over a project!.
We are here if you need us! the 500 forum has a lot of traffic so someones sure to have an idea on any issues.
If you have done the water pump and cam belt then your half- way there id say but i would pop the pipes of the thermostat and check an see if the original "PLASTIC" pipe to the heater matrix is still there ! if so change the stat for an aftermarket one with the "METAL" pipe to future proof it!as they always break eventually! whilst you have it apart do the earth strap as well so you dont have to go back in later!
good luck!
Steve

 

[FindAName]

Welcome Mike! .
Nice to "bond" over a project!.
We are here if you need us! the 500 forum has a lot of traffic so someones sure to have an idea on any issues.
If you have done the water pump and cam belt then your half- way there id say but i would pop the pipes of the thermostat and check an see if the original "PLASTIC" pipe to the heater matrix is still there ! if so change the stat for an aftermarket one with the "METAL" pipe to future proof it!as they always break eventually! whilst you have it apart do the earth strap as well so you dont have to go back in later!
good luck!
Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for the pointers;

Earth strap ordered £5 of ebay

Haven't had a chance to look at the thermostat pipe connector yet; I presume a metal one would look like this:

Housing

Any other common failure points i should be aware of?

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[steveras57]

Yep good thermostat!
Keep a good stock of bulbs for the DRL lamps they seem to blow often!
sumps and rear beam & springs prone to rust! exhausts often fail at the flex joint also the front exhaust clamp often goes as well!
Hatch wiring goes all to often causing many electrical gremlins!
various leeks into interior causing wet carpets!.
ALL these subjects and more cover in depth here on the forums !
you could also google "FIAT 5000 common faults"
There is no doubt that these are somewhat flawed little cars ! BUT that dont stop us loving em!
welcome to the "mad house!"

 

[A1EK]

I've just got the same car, clutch pedal snapped on mine and poor radio reception, both can be fixed.

 

[John202020]

I will add
Radiator
Heater matrix
All of the front suspension
Rear shocks
Clutch hydraulics
It's probably already had a new thermostat
Cam belt? When last replaced-leave to a professional to change.
Make sure enough screen wash concentrate in fluid to prevent wet carpets
Metal coolant pipe running behind exhaust manifold rusts through.
Critical to maintain correct coolant level

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi and welcome,

is it running and back in use..?

Some things will become apparent with some use..

 

[steveras57]

The best mind-set for running any Fiat (and 500.s in particular!) is if its running well with no issues then be happy but DONT relax! the next little teaser is just around the corner , just like a bus you know its coming just not entirely sure when its going to arrive! but it will get there eventually!.
As long as your prepared alls well!

 

[FindAName]

sorry for the delay replying to you all but life has been hectic.

Long list of things to keep an eye on but the daughter has AA cover via my banking so worse case she can get recovered .

Almost finished the jobs on the car next job is front disks and pads with a flush of the break fluid to do. Looked at the rears but the shoes look like they have a bit of meat left on them.

Interior was stripped out seats and carpet deep cleaned and are now back in. 14 years of grot removed; wasn't the nicest of jobs but I found 26 pence so that should cover my labour cost!

Thanks again for the advice

Mike

 

[varesecrazy]

sorry for the delay replying to you all but life has been hectic.

Interior was stripped out seats and carpet deep cleaned and are now back in. 14 years of grot removed; wasn't the nicest of jobs but I found 26 pence so that should cover my labour cost!

Thanks again for the advice

Mike

Well done Mike,

I couldn't see how to onbolt the rear seat base in my 2018..

 

[Baglady1990]

I love a girl who likes to get her hands dirty…… like me!!!
Didn’t intend on being so…. But when you choose a 500 or it chooses you! It pays to be handy!

 

[steveras57]

Jobs well done mate but like i said DONT RELAX!

 

[Terry899]

The best mind-set for running any Fiat (and 500.s in particular!) is if its running well with no issues then be happy but DONT relax! the next little teaser is just around the corner , just like a bus you know its coming just not entirely sure when its going to arrive! but it will get there eventually!.
As long as your prepared alls well!

For my cinquecento everyone said buy a clutch cable they snap..... have a spare one in the boot in it's bag this last 7 years the old saying if you have it you'll never need it

 

[steveras57]

For my cinquecento everyone said buy a clutch cable they snap..... have a spare one in the boot in it's bag this last 7 years the old saying if you have it you'll never need it

thats why i have a spare engine in the shed!

 

[AnthonyH]

I like to keep a spare car (or two) because you never know when the next issue is coming along

 

[steveras57]

I like to keep a spare car (or two) because you never know when the next issue is coming along

thats why i have me motorcycles

 

[gigadud]

I like to keep a spare car (or two) because you never know when the next issue is coming along

I confess, I may have a slight car addiction. But hey, at least they all run (most of the time)!

 

[steveras57]

I confess, I may have a slight car addiction. But hey, at least they all run (most of the time)!

petrol is addictive!!!

 

[FindAName]

Been a while Work and Life (and 500s!).. car has gone through its MOT with a few minor advisories mainly on bits of rust (rear springs, rear brake pipe ferrules)

The daughter is over the moon and loving driving it, me in the passenger seat not so much

Few issues are now coming to light (odd Aircon Noise on switch off and some clunking from front end) but I will put them in a separate thread.

Thanks again all for the advice and helping get one more 500 back on the road.

Mike

 

[steveras57]

Owning a 500 is a form of taxation! always another bill waiting round the corner!