General Other issues

[evo149]

Forgot to add these in my previous post. [Fiat Bravo 1.6 SX]

I've checked the oil level and its right to the max level on the dipstick. I thought it should normally be in the middle when the engine is cold? Is there any way i could leak some of the oil out from under the engine? Would this be good or bad?

Also the fuel cap doesnt seem to lock with the key. I have tried dozens of times to turn the cap then lock it with the key but it doesnt work. Am i doing something wrong or is the fuel cap lock broken?

The 16v engine on this car is very revvy. I only need to touch the throttle and the rpm jumps to about 4-5000. is this normal?

Another thing is the brakes on this car are so quick. I find that i am almost doing emergency stops in the middle of the road. Could it be all the pads and shoes have been recently replaced? Or is something wrong with the braking system?

The handbrake is also very tight as i mentioned before. Can only get one click on the lever and it almost feels like the cable will bust pulling that hard. Could this be related to the brake pedal being so responsive?

Let me know what you think thanks.

 

[Clive D]

Unless the oil level is way, way over the MAX mark I think it should be fine.
The clutch judder you described could be a seasonal thing (moisture in the air) as I believe that can cause a bit of judder when you first move off in the morning?
When you turn the fuel cap it should 'click' - once it does you should be able to lock it.
The throttle / brakes could be becuase your not used to the car yet - my mum was a bit like that when she first got her Ford Focus (after a Renault 19).
I take it you didn't test drive the car ???

 

[jug]

I've checked the oil level and its right to the max level on the dipstick. I thought it should normally be in the middle when the engine is cold? Is there any way i could leak some of the oil out from under the engine? Would this be good or bad?

it should be at max when cold.

Also the fuel cap doesnt seem to lock with the key. I have tried dozens of times to turn the cap then lock it with the key but it doesnt work. Am i doing something wrong or is the fuel cap lock broken?

a lot of people have trouble with this. first turn the cap clockwise till it clicks, then turn the key clockwise while holding the cap still, then it will be locked and can turn without opening.

The 16v engine on this car is very revvy. I only need to touch the throttle and the rpm jumps to about 4-5000. is this normal?

yes, its great isnt it

Another thing is the brakes on this car are so quick. I find that i am almost doing emergency stops in the middle of the road. Could it be all the pads and shoes have been recently replaced? Or is something wrong with the braking system?

thats a good thing, it suggest the brakes are in good condition. you'll soon get used to it.

The handbrake is also very tight as i mentioned before. Can only get one click on the lever and it almost feels like the cable will bust pulling that hard. Could this be related to the brake pedal being so responsive?

yes, the cable may be so tight that it is keeping the rear shoes nearer to the drum than they should be, meaning they have less distance to travel when braking, meaning the pedal will also have less travel. loosen the cable as described in the other post. the rear adjusters will then keep the shoes where they should be.

 

[evo149]

Unless the oil level is way, way over the MAX mark I think it should be fine.
The clutch judder you described could be a seasonal thing (moisture in the air) as I believe that can cause a bit of judder when you first move off in the morning?
When you turn the fuel cap it should 'click' - once it does you should be able to lock it.
The throttle / brakes could be becuase your not used to the car yet - my mum was a bit like that when she first got her Ford Focus (after a Renault 19).
I take it you didn't test drive the car ???

Hi thanks for your reply. Yes i havent really driven the car very far yet. So i suppose i will drive some more and see if it continues with the judder. The brakes i agree are more responsive compared to my old car [rover 214] which took ages to stop.

 

[evo149]

it should be at max when cold.


a lot of people have trouble with this. first turn the cap clockwise till it clicks, then turn the key clockwise while holding the cap still, then it will be locked and can turn without opening.


yes, its great isnt it


thats a good thing, it suggest the brakes are in good condition. you'll soon get used to it.


yes, the cable may be so tight that it is keeping the rear shoes nearer to the drum than they should be, meaning they have less distance to travel when braking, meaning the pedal will also have less travel. loosen the cable as described in the other post. the rear adjusters will then keep the shoes where they should be.

Thanks for covering all the points i raised.

I hope the brakes are in good condition although i can sometimes hear a slight screeching sound when i apply the brake pedal.

Now, the handbrake. I had a go at this today and didnt get anywhere. The thing is i thought i had to remove the centre console to see any nuts and bolts for the handbrake? So i removed some plastic trim on the left and right sides of the console at the footwells. I managed to break a couple of the plastic caps while doing this.. Then i unscrew a screw at the top front of the console, one in the middle and two under the rear ashtray. Pulled up the gearstick cover. Started pulling and pushing up the the whole console but was not able to get it out. The handbrake lever gets in the way.

So i've just put it all back how it was as i dont want to break it trying to force it out.

Is there a way to remove the centre console? But if i just want to try adjusting the handbrake nut do i need to take the whole centre console out, or just the plastic gator? The rubber gator on the handbrake seems quite difficult to pull up - would i be able to get it back in? And would access to the handbrake adjustment be easy by only lifting the gator up?

thanks

 

[evo149]

I've just seen someones post on here about rear wiper not working. My rear wiper motor works but the washer jet doesnt spray any water. Front ones are fine. So i will check the pipe for blockage or possibly if its still attached to the wiper,

 

[jug]

to adjust the handbrake cable you only need to pull up the rubber gator around the handbrake lever. no need to remove the console.

 

[evo149]

to adjust the handbrake cable you only need to pull up the rubber gator around the handbrake lever. no need to remove the console.

Tried to pull the rubber gator out today, but it seems very tight. Will i be able to put it back in if i force the gator out? Not sure perhaps im doing something wrong.

Another thing is i tried a test today to yank the handbrake up while doing 10mph, but the rear wheels didnt lock. Could that mean the handbrake mechanism is faulty? Or is it just the ABS kicking in not letting them lock?

 

[jug]

there is no abs on the handbrake, its cable operated.

i think the problem is due to a loose cable.

you can pull the rubber gator up if you be brutal with it and pull the bottom off first so it goes inside out as you pull it off. it wont break and it will go back on trust me.

 

[evo149]

there is no abs on the handbrake, its cable operated.

i think the problem is due to a loose cable.

you can pull the rubber gator up if you be brutal with it and pull the bottom off first so it goes inside out as you pull it off. it wont break and it will go back on trust me.

ok mate i will try that. thx for the tip