Cinquecento Problems starting

[Romano769]

Hey guys was wondering if you would be able to help me!?

I have got a 1995 Fiat Cinquecento 0.9L and she just doesn't want to stat, After further inspection i had noticed that there is water and oil in the throttle body :/ (Think she is on her way out) and after a bit of research i had diagnosed it to be head gasket and she already drinks plenty of coolant which has been a mystery untill now but can this affect starting?

i have checked spark and all 4 are working also i have checked if there is fuel being pumped in and it is so i am completely gone as to why it is doing this?
HELLP!!!!
Thank you!

 

[varesecrazy]

hi,
chances are the head gasket has "blown" between 2 cylinders, and therefore with only compression on 2 cylinders it will not fire well enouigh to run,

take the head off to see what's going on,
you may well be able to just spend @ £10 on a gasket and get it going again,

charlie - Oxford

 

[David C]

Is it turning over but not firing, or is it not turning over?

If a cylinder is full of coolant, it won't turn over properly until a valve opens to allow the coolant to go somewhere, at which point it will turn over and may fire unless coolant is literally flooding in!

A headgasket is quite a simple job on these engines though as you don't have cam timing to worry about.

 

[varesecrazy]

Is it turning over but not firing, or is it not turning over?

If a cylinder is full of coolant, it won't turn over properly until a valve opens to allow the coolant to go somewhere, at which point it will turn over and may fire unless coolant is literally flooding in!

A headgasket is quite a simple job on these engines though as you don't have cam timing to worry about.

I read ;

"checked spark" to mean motor was spinning..,
we'll see..!!

 

[David C]

I read ;

"checked spark" to mean motor was spinning..,
we'll see..!!

That would probably be with the plug removed though, which would also allow it to turn if it was full of coolant.

It is an easy DIY job to do though.
Longest part of the job will be taking the head somewhere to be skimmed.
I didn't even take the valves out of the head as they are recessed enough that they could skim it complete saving me time putting back together (I needed it working ASAP to drive to Gatwick to go on holiday... )

 

[Romano769]

Hey guys thank you for everything i have now arranged to do this my self e.g. take the head off and replace gasket and get the head skimmed but i was just wondering on this engine as i have never taken it to bits does it have stretch bolts at all?

 

[fingers99]

Not in the usual sense. You can get away with using the bolts 2 or 3 times, but as you don't know whether they've been re-tightened, probably best to get another set. Generally they're less than a tenner.

 

[David C]

I reused the head bolts on mine as it didn't look like it had been apart before.

But as above, a new set isn't too bad anyway.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hey guys thank you for everything i have now arranged to do this my self e.g. take the head off and replace gasket and get the head skimmed but i was just wondering on this engine as i have never taken it to bits does it have stretch bolts at all?

if you're on a tight budget , look for pitting of the heads surfaces ( where it's blown), then check for warping with a straight edge,
if not obviously pitted of warped - you can just use a new gasket,
that all I've ever done.. on FIRE vehicle rebuild # 12 now, all have lasted min of 2 years / 20K miles before selling or scrapping..,
the ONLY exception being my current Panda which had a compromised gasket.. on rebuilt in DEC 2011 :bang: now I've got a kit coming so 1st ever purchase of head bolts..

just clocked the head.. still perfectly FLAT + TRUE !

However - I don't run mine low on coolant and COOK them,
if you've overheated repeatedly you increase the risks..,

good luck, and do let us know how it goes,
charlie

 

[Pep0]

You should have compression tested it some time ago but best to do it now if they were all the same could be a waste of time to lift the head.

Unlikely though.

When you get it off you need to check that the head is flat with straight edge and feeler gauge if it is not then you will need it skimmed.

If you have not don't it before best to get a mate around to help.

 

[Romano769]

Thanks for all the advice but I have checked it and there was a lot of water and petrol mixed in on top of m pistons I shall up load photos ASAP. But my only worry is that I think and don't quote me on this bit from what it looks like the gasket has had it on the wet liners of it has them not sure haha. And I had checked my thermostat and it had had it hence not working and cooling my car down when needed but I have decided to basically replace my whole cooling system and fit a full gasket set.

 

[varesecrazy]

that's a good idea,

not too sure, BUT liners tend to be in diesels..or alloy blocks,
yours is Iron..!!

Full gaskets,
AND the thermostat,
get it running again , then dump the oil ( + Filter) for fresh after a few minutes running - as it will be contaminated and can cause premature wear to bearings, etc,

( 1st hand experience..!!)
Charlie

 

[fingers99]

Don't worry -- you have an iron block, no liners.

Haynes Cinq manuals can generally be found for a few quid on eBay. Well worth the wonga.

 

[fingers99]

Don't worry -- you have an iron block, no liners.

Haynes Cinq manuals can generally be found for a few quid on eBay. Well worth the wonga.