General Problem after probable after problem, am I alone?

[John202020]

Always use a jubilee clip that is almost the same size as the pipe when unwound never use one too big even if it will size down as it will not be round once tightened especially at the smaller sizes.

 

[varesecrazy]

I had a coolant leak too and after faiked trips to the garage and a new radiator and still having a coolant leak, I undone and then tightebed (a fair bit) my hose clip. Leak fixed. Can you over tighten and do damage?

you CAN.., but generally any worm drive clip will strip it's thread 1st,
as crushing a tubular structure is actually difficult

most rad hoses seal perfectly,being a snug fit on both SMOOTH surfaces,

when I've had problems,
I've use a small smear of "plumbing sealant"( boss white) just on
the plastic / metal outlet spigot

it's basically like a grease, and will fill any tiny nicks and scratches on a hose / fitting.

back in the day..FIAT hose clips were bent wire, and could just be Squeezed open with pliers - self tensioning..and worked fine.
so NO you don't NEED lots of clamping pressure.

 

[alexGS]

Hey there,

I'm looking for a bit of info/advice off fellow 500 owners. My car is now 6 years old, in those six years it's had quite a bit go wrong, it's had a new radiator, brakes, several breather pipes, new tires and now on my MOT advisorys it mentions corrosion to the exhaust, shock absorbers, coil springs and the back body. So now with all these things going wrong I'm looking at getting rid as it just feels like I'm having problem after problem.

Now, I've been to look at a few little cars, the Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 and a Toyota Aygo, but because I'm only tiny, I struggle to see over the dashboard fully, whereas the 500 makes me a bit higher so really I wanted to stick with Fiat, soooo after all that, what I'm really trying to find out is whether other people have had similar issues with their 500's or whether I just happened to have a bit of a dud (even though bought from new). I'm just a bit unsure whether to give up on Fiat or risk buying a new one in the hope that my problematic little bubble was just a bad one.

Hello Sarah, welcome
In principal I agree with the first reply you had, though it was worded rather harshly in fairness, most of the 'smaller' cars such as the alternatives you've named are all built down to a price and that means things like exhausts etc. are not stainless steel as standard equipment, so there's bound to be a bit of visible corrosion etc. as the years go by. Probably nothing to worry about.

I don't think you have had a 'dud' at all, I just know that the conditions in England are more severe than we have in New Zealand. Our eight-year-old 500, which we've had for a couple of years, has not required a new radiator and doesn't have any corrosion at all - but I did have to replace the thermostat housing (cracked plastic pipe). The need for this was discovered by checking over the car a little more thoroughly (during a service) as it ages, looking for leaks or other small problems, and nipping them in the bud before they cause a bigger problem.

I believe you can carry on running the 500 for less than what a newer small car will cost (taking into account depreciation - loss of value - which is the biggest cost of owning any car under three years old). Ours has been very little trouble and very cheap to run. Items like brakes and tyres are service items and are relatively low cost for the 500 compared to larger cars.

But still, if you do feel like a change (which is perfectly understandable) then the most important brand consideration is probably the level of local backup/support you have - I know there are good and bad FIAT dealers out there, as there are for any other brand. Once out of warranty, it's worth finding a local specialist that can help (perhaps you have already).

Cheers,
-Alex

 

[MarginWalker]

Just to show the other side of the coin, after 5 years 9 months and 43000 miles, the only fault was a tiny coolant leak, fixed by adding a second hose clip. No bulb replacements even, no broken door handles, wiring looms, or suspension parts. No advisories at MoTs. Of course after this mileage I've had to replace worn tyres and brake pads.
Now I've said that I've probably set myself up for a series of catastrophic failures in the next few weeks!

:yeahthat:

Haven't posted here for some time but I'm still the happy owner of a late 2008 500 1.4 Sport that has been nearly faultless so far (41,000 miles). Rear shocks, a rear wheel bearing and a new battery are about it other than the usual consumables. It's been a total star, running sweetly every day and still sporting it's original door handles and faultless rear hatch electrics. As has been said, it will cost far more to replace your 500 than to remedy the latest problems, but I can understand you wanting to get rid.

 

[typecastboy]

Those radiators are delicate, I've just put a new front panel on my latest project. Took the rad off the old one and put it on the new one. Put it all back together, filled up with coolant and then found that the plastic at the top of the expansion tank is cracked. Now I've got to disconnect it all and start again. Grrrr!

 

[JNAnderson]

Those radiators are delicate, I've just put a new front panel on my latest project. Took the rad off the old one and put it on the new one. Put it all back together, filled up with coolant and then found that the plastic at the top of the expansion tank is cracked. Now I've got to disconnect it all and start again. Grrrr!

Hi, just a question regarding your expansion tank cracked leaking after changing radiator... was this under the wee black rubber bit on the expansion tank? I had a coolant leak, the garage put in a new radiator &I I still had leak. I thought they'd scammed me by saying I needed new radiator to fix the leak, but msybevthe leak on expansion tank was when radiator got changed?

 

[typecastboy]

Hi, just a question regarding your expansion tank cracked leaking after changing radiator... was this under the wee black rubber bit on the expansion tank? I had a coolant leak, the garage put in a new radiator &I I still had leak. I thought they'd scammed me by saying I needed new radiator to fix the leak, but msybevthe leak on expansion tank was when radiator got changed?

It was the bit at the top where the narrow filling cap gets wider into the main body of the expansion tank. It had a split about half way around. Probably a weak point. The rad was full of fluid that I drained, but it was only when I was refilling that I noticed it was pouring out and of course a lack of pressure.

As the expansion tank is an integral part of the radiator, if that bit gets damaged, it's a new radiator.

Bit I have trouble with every time, is the bottom hose elbow. I can never work out how it comes off. I have had it in a vice, I have twisted, pulled etc etc, it just will not budge.

 

[intel131]

As the expansion tank is an integral part of the radiator, if that bit gets damaged, it's a new radiator.

And trying to find the coolant level on the 1.2 is not the best of ideas.....I normally undo the cap and shine a torch into the expansion tank to check the coolant level............The TA is a lot easier to check as the tank is at the top
of the engine bay and in clear view

 

[varesecrazy]

And trying to find the coolant level on the 1.2 is not the best of ideas.....I normally undo the cap and shine a torch into the expansion tank to check the coolant level............The TA is a lot easier to check as the tank is at the top
of the engine bay and in clear view

NO..

Shine the torch down the outside..
Youll be able to look through the tank..seeing the level against the min n max easily..
Rather than trying to Guesstimate the depth of the coolants surface.....

BACK TO TOPIC;
Looks like the OP. Isnt going to post again..

Charlie