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Technical Recommended Mechanic?

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Technical Recommended Mechanic?

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Ori

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Hey Guys (and Gals),

I am really happy to have been welcomed to the forum and thought I would ask if anyone could recommend a Mechanic/Garage in NW London for a bit of work to my Fiat 20VT?
I need a new clutch and probably a Lambda sensor (need to confirm with diagnostic).

As I said, I am in NW London, but I am willing to travel a little bit for someone who will do it while I wait.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi, I only use 1 garage-mechanic for my coop. It's a place called Motormech in Birmingham and Paul only deals with Fiats/Alfa's. I live in Luton and it takes me about an hour and a half to get there. He does the work the same day and I go for a wonder around the Bullring centre. I know it's quite a way to go but trust me he knows his stuff. He has done for me: cam belt, driveshafts, cat, oil leak, brakes all round, handbrake cable and more. His prices are the best I have ever been quoted. The work will be done in a day if you get there for opening time, 8am. Be aware though, you need to book at least 4 weeks in advance as he's always busy. He does answer e-mails after a few days so it's better to call. Click on the link and have a look at his price list. http://www.motor-mech.co.uk/index.html
Ori said:
Hey Guys (and Gals),

I am really happy to have been welcomed to the forum and thought I would ask if anyone could recommend a Mechanic/Garage in NW London for a bit of work to my Fiat 20VT?
I need a new clutch and probably a Lambda sensor (need to confirm with diagnostic).

As I said, I am in NW London, but I am willing to travel a little bit for someone who will do it while I wait.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
 
You're very lucky to be close to Power Italia (formerly Power Fiat) based in Basildon, Essex. Rog is probably the best and most well known Coupé specialist in the United Kingdom, if not the world :cool: He's your man. Iceberg/Motormech is probably the best specialist in the North, but it's a bit of a trek from London.

http://www.poweritalia.com/index.php
 
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Thanks people. I think power italia is close enough for me to use. They aren't answering their phone so I guess it will be after Xmas.
I'm doing thermostat tomorrow so car should be running ok until the new year.
 
Hi Guy's

Done my Lambda sensor about 4 weeks ago really easy, just buy the sensor off Forum member. but you also need the Lambda sensor tool which i also got off ebay £6 well spent as the job to remove the old sensor and replace new sensor .... Only took me 15 minutes if that:):):)
 
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Really that easy????
I saw the sensor online for £40 ish. No idea where the sensor is in order to do the job. Lol.
 
BLUNTY said:
Yes that easy......

The sensor is straight in front of you when open the bonnet just to the left you can nt miss it looks like a spark plung with wires coming off it ....!!!!;);)
Click to expand...
Think you will find that I may have had something to do with making that easy ;)
 
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BLUNTY said:
Yes that easy......

The sensor is straight in front of you when open the bonnet just to the left you can nt miss it looks like a spark plung with wires coming off it ....!!!!;);)
Click to expand...

Oh and I will have a look and see if I can find it. What tools do I need? If you have a picture that would also be useful.... ;-)

Again...merry Xmas!
 
Well it seems I don't need it. Thermostat change seems to have stopped the light coming on. I think it was the temperature dropping that was causing it to come on.
Fuel consumption is loads better now that the engine is running at correct temp.
Just ordered some bonnet struts as my ones are knackered then just the clutch left to do.
I found a clutch kit online for £104 plus vat. I can get my mechanic to do it when he gets back. Will do gearbox oil and seal at same time.
That will be the mechanics done.
Going to do the slight dink on the front corner sometime in new year with funds permitting. ;) then it's a wait and see what comes up. Lol.
Adding it all up, I think my total spending (without body work, but including purchase price) will be aprox £2300. Not bad for a turbo plus. Albeit left hand drive. Slight dink on front corner, but otherwise not a mark on it inside or out. Cam belt was done about 12k ago.
 
You've done well. I think it being LHD has worked out in your favour. Must be a night mare at toll's and drive thru's though :p. Suppose you could buy one of these for use at drive thru's:-

Litter%20Picker.jpg
 
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Haha. It's a small car. I just lean across or get the passenger to do it. Lol
Failing that use a device called a door handle and walk round the car. ;)
Can't wait to get the clutch sorted. Can't really floor it at the moment.
 
Well I'm half way through my thermostat change. Pain in the ar*e or should I say back lol.

Reason It's not finished is that the new thermostat doesn't seem to want to mate up to the engine block perfectly and seems to want to cross thread one of the bolts when doing it back up :nutter:. I have however attached the various pipes etc before putting it back on the engine as it's easier.

Took it back off to mate it up with the old one and the holes are in perfect alignment :confused:
 
Have to tried the bolts in the block without the stat in place ?
You may have damaged one of the bolts Chris although the block is prettty soft so you would have that that would have been first to get a damaged thread.
It is a pain of a job anyway:D
 
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Yeah it's a pain of a job. My mechanic took nearly 1 hours to do it as opposed to 15 mins on my old rover. Lol.
 
Yeah I managed. It was a jubilee clip clashing with what looks like a sensor on the block. it used to have a fiat clip on which of-course doesn't have the bulky bolt mechanism. Just put it on other way and it all went back together great. I noticed there was a broken vacuum pipe on the air inlet broken so 'fixed' that with a soldering iron and a clothes peg (diy plastic welding FTW!) until I can source a new one :eek:.

Coolant is all bled and the car is running sooo much better it's unreal. I've got proper heat from my vents now too :D.

IMAG00195.jpg


The one I've bodged is the little one attached to the plastic part of the air inlet with the red silicone glue on.
 
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