Technical Service

[DJ Overdose]

Well my B had it's first service since I have had it.

All in all a very positive outcome. As my GF's brother in law works for a Fiat garage, it only cost me £130, and I got to drive his car about while he did it.

Although nothing serious he did raise a few points.

1) Passenger side head light mists up, possibly due to mis-fit of seals when bulb was last changed.

2) Rear passenger side brake disc has red rust edges, yet drivers side has normal black brake dust/rust on. Said this is because passenger side is running hotter. Car not pulling to one side so, not an issue at the moment.

3) Roof leaking somewhere... Puddle in one of the wells under passenger seat. Concern was corrosion to seat brackets caused by condensation and evaporation of water. Getting a hood guy to look at replacing hood, but may check to see if I can find leak first.

I know leaks in all soft tops are common, but there are a few places where it could be coming in, that a new roof may not fix. Bloody window rubbers on, yep, passenger side... On part of one of them kind of folds inwards, you will need a pic to understand (will post later). Also water could be getting in under the hood where it meets the back of the car, on passenger side.

As I said nothing major, and a very cheap service. I'm pretty chuffed considering my B was one of the first made... ;-)


DJ OD

 

[Alan.D]

Not bad at all, one of the main area's of leaks that is often overlooked is the seal on the folding cover. It's meant to filter the rain water to a channel just behind the door but if split or worn channels it straight into the car instead.

 

[superspotter]

Tell me about it My newer car has first pick of the garage so the B sits out in the rain at the mo and I am sick to death of sponging the rear shelf out If I dont buy a newer B then I will go to town on this one and buy a new seal before anything else!!

 

[Alan.D]

If the parcel shelf is filling up, under the mats will be saturated. Using the Vin panel I would check if it is water logged if so put it in a dry area & get a dehumidifier or remove the mats to dry them out.

Just to add if water is a problem as stated on the shelf, use kitchen roll meantime to soak up any moisture to stem the flow.

 

[superspotter]

What do you mean by the vin panel?
I had all the carpets out when I first got the car and the undersides were soaking, good job the car is galvanised!
I actually drilled an extra small drain hole in the floorpan to alleviate any further problems

 

[Alan.D]

probably a good idea, there is a small panel on the passenger side floor under which is the stamped in chassis vin No, it gives a good indication if it is dry or wet under there.

 

[DJ Overdose]

Water is building up behind the passenger seat on the floor. There are two indentations in the floor about 2" by 8" and they are causing the sloshing about of water!

Will post some pics when I can. Raining again today here...


DJ OD

 

[larkim]

I don't seem to get water under the floor beneath any of the main body of the car, I can't see any way that it could get from the parcel shelf / hood storage bit to there. But I do get *gallons* of the stuff in the hood area. I've tried sitting in it whilst it rains to see where it comes from, but I'm blown if I can find it. What is the usual route do you think - from the sides or the back? I suppose it could also be coming in when I drive around.

B is going in for a service in the next month or so, so I'll add this to the leaking screenwash bottle as something for them to look at, but I don't want to spend money only to find that the problem is still there, so any pointers would be really useful!

Cheers!

Matt

 

[patches]

Don't forget to make sure your drain holes are clear - I had my garage look at a leak and it had nothing to do with the seals. Not sure where they are but I am sure others posting here do!

 

[BILL33]

In my B i had water come in from the zipper!!!Under heavy rain and with water standing still at the corners of the plastic window it used to drip in the hood cover.Some silicone stoped it.My hood is not at her best condition and i am on the way to put a new one.

 

[larkim]

Thanks. My rear window was replaced some time ago so I no longer have a zip attachment for that - does anyone zip it in and out depending on the weather, or is it not that sort of zip?

As far as drain holes go, I've had a look at them - they are in the sill between the hood cover and the seal. They did seem to be draining fine (I poured some water down to see if it disappeared, and it duly did!) so I don't think they are the source of the water.

Matt

 

[superspotter]

Good job they are galvanised
If they were made like my old 131 Supermirafiori they would all have disappeared years ago