Problems with a 1.4 Bravo across the street from me...

[Rab]

It's my neigbours car she's had it from almost new and it's a P reg '96 1.4 Bravo. (12 valve i think) and it's done only about 42.000 miles
Anyway i was talking to her tonight and she was telling me that when she starts it up first thing in the morning it has trouble kicking into life.
She described it as if the exhaust was about to go and feels like it's just choking then it eventually starts and feels rough.
I asked her when it was last serviced and would you believe it she has NEVER had it serviced or even changed the plugs or filters.
I told her to get the bits she needs like filters, oil and plugs and i'll sort them out for her.
I'm also going to change her front pads for her.
Just changing the oil and filters and plugs should make it feel better but is there anything else i should be looking at on the 1.4 that might be needing a good cleaning.
I also told her to get the cam belt done but she's going to have to save up for that job, i just hope she can get it done before anything awful happens.
Let me know what i should be looking out for if you know.
Thanks.

Rab.
"This is a LOCAL website for LOCAL people we'll not have any trouble here"

 

[patrick]

First of all, if it was me, I would be looking out for her husband...lol

 

[Tom]

42k on a 1996 1.4 is asking for trouble, get the cam spray bar done too as its probably bunged up.

 

[Rab]

LOL @ patrick
Tom i'm going to be doing this for her as she can't afford to take it to a garage.
Is removing the cam oil bar fairly straight forward?
And should i be cleaning anything else to help it run better.
And Patrick before you say it she's not married. lol

Rab.
"This is a LOCAL website for LOCAL people we'll not have any trouble here"

 

[Tom]

I think its simply a case of cam cover off and there it is.

 

[Rab]

Simple then.
I presume you need to replace the gasket on the cover before it goes back on or am i showing my age now and there reusable these days.

Rab.
"This is a LOCAL website for LOCAL people we'll not have any trouble here"

 

[Ian]

It's not worth the hassle for the likes of £6 (if that!). I did mine when I took my rocker off. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Tom]

Its always best, people these days whine like anything at the slightest hint of a tiny oil leak.

 

[Daz155HGT]

When i was a lad, we used to 'ave engines with no gaskets, you had to use brute force on the bolts to stop the oil leaking out...lol



Daz

 

[Tom]

Sod that! If a mini isn't leaking oil it means there is none left

 

[mathew]

years ago i used a weetabix box as a gasket,on a moped. i worked a treat, would'nt dream of doing it now but i was only 16. lol.

 

[Rab]

When i was a lad the only gasket i ever bought was a head gasket,
all the others were made out of linolium left over from the kitchen.

Rab.
"This is a LOCAL website for LOCAL people we'll not have any trouble here"