General Some silly newbie questions

[Professorwho]

Hello hopefully helpful people!
Sorry if these questions have been answered repeatedly but I got nothing on the search, or too much!
I have inherited a 98 Barchetta, UK spec with comfort pack. She had been living in London and needs some body work which is fine, lots of small chips and a nasty door/rear panel dent/gash.
The questions I have are more basic, I can't quite work out how frequently the timing belt should be changed, the mileage in fiat's documentation seems rather optimistic to me! I had a megane die on me In the past due to a bust timing belt so am very aware of the need!
The red key is on its way to me but in the meantime I really want to swap out the head unit, there is currently a Sony CD unit in place rather than the original unit and I am happy with the process of swapping units, my question was whether the lack of red key will be a problem if i disconnect the battery.
Also does anyone know of a good garage in the Hereford/Worcester/Gloucester area for Barchetta work.
I also need advice in restoring the steel wheels (I prefer the look of the steel to the alloys) they are only very mildly affected by corrosion and my search-fu had failed to find any helpful posts.
I am planning on restoring rather than modifying except that I think a silver console and Speedo surround will look nicer than the stock Spinal Trap style none more black!

 

[bumble]

Hi friend. Welcome to the forum. I am not sure of the recommended interval for the cam belt change but my 96 car has 60,000 miles and had its cambelt and variator changed at around 50,000. It came with an aftermarket CD unit which I swapped for an original Radio Cassette (this is in my Bumbles Bee thread somewhere ) I have never had a red key and there is no problem with disconnecting the battery without it. As for the steel wheels, I agree, they do look good if in good condition. Personally, I would have them bead blasted and plastic coated! Post some pics when you can. Steve

 

[StevePD]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
In regard to the timing belt, I think DTR recommend that it is changed every 3 years if mileage is not great each year. (DTR are a garage who have vast amounts of experience with Barchettas).
I have a question.....
Has anyone changed the timing belt by cutting the existing one in half along its length while still on the pullies, then stretching the new one onto the pullies before removing the old one. Now don't throw stones at me it's just a thought as it is a practice done by some Americans on their gas guzzlers and negates the need to use cam locks and worry about timing. I guess the new belt may be too hard to stretch. Answers nicely now please.
Regards
SteveD

 

[gar074]

Hi Professorwho, welcome aboard (are you a pukka professor, or like that Professor Green DJ chap?)

On the timing belt, Fiat recommend a change every 72k miles / 5 years
https://www.fiat.co.uk/uk/PublishingImages/owner-tools/maintenance/TimingBelt.pdf

The age is as important as the mileage - which reminds me that I must get mine done again, as it's 5 years since the last time, although she's only done 9k miles in that time... If you're not sure when it was last done, or whether the tensioners and water-pump were done at the same time, it's probably worth getting it done now, for peace of mind. If the variator hasn't been changed, it might be worth doing that at the same time, while everything's in bits.

My battery is regularly disconnected for charging etc and I've never needed my red key.

I've kept the original stereo in mine as it fits so beautifully in the sculpted dash. All the replacement head-units that I've seen look naff IMHO. Mind you, I never use it - I just enjoy listening to the lovely sounds she makes, and to the birds singing in the hedgerows etc etc.

It's a personal thing, but I also much prefer the black centre console - it's very classy and understated. I reckon the silver centre console looks a bit too much like a 1980s Alba stereo. I do have the 'silver' (metallic grey) instrument surround and air vent surrounds, as they came as standard on the LE. They lift the interior, but in a subtle way.

The original steelies look great on the B - they should be inexpensive to restore. Go to a local powder coating firm, who will blast them clean and powder-coat them for around £20-£25 each.

 

[Professorwho]

Cheers all, the head unit was replaced years ago because some lovely person decided they would try to make off with out so it already is non stock!
By silver console I really mean brushed steel/aluminium rather than shiny
It's because the whole inside is black that I think it needs a bit of light!
The pseudonym is a bit of an 80s reference, Ace used to refer to the doctor in Doctor Who as Professor

 

[gar074]

Original head-units occasionally pop up on Ebay, so you could go back to black if you really wanted to, but if you actually want to listen to the thing, you're better off looking elsewhere!

I know which console you mean - I still think it's not as svelte as the original black one, but to each his own!

And as for Ace ... one of the the best (and certainly one of the feistiest) of the companions. Did you know that the actor who played her, Sophie Aldred, later did the voice of Dennis the Menace in Dennis and Gnasher? Strange but true!

 

[Professorwho]

Just to keep off topic, Sophie Aldred was more recently the voice of tree fu time with David Tennant as her (his?) Side kick!

Anyway, head unit swapped today no problems. Off to get some bodywork supplies and paint tomorrow.
I've known this car since it was new and want to do her proud

 

[jimboy]

Has anyone changed the timing belt by cutting the existing one in half along its length while still on the pullies, then stretching the new one onto the pullies before removing the old one. Now don't throw stones at me it's just a thought as it is a practice done by some Americans on their gas guzzlers and negates the need to use cam locks and worry about timing. I guess the new belt may be too hard to stretch. Answers nicely now please.
Regards
SteveD[/QUOTE]


I've heard on certain models of vehicles this is possible. As for the Barchetta, because of the configuration of the belt it would near impossible to achieve this.

 

[StevePD]

Has anyone changed the timing belt by cutting the existing one in half along its length while still on the pullies, then stretching the new one onto the pullies before removing the old one. Now don't throw stones at me it's just a thought as it is a practice done by some Americans on their gas guzzlers and negates the need to use cam locks and worry about timing. I guess the new belt may be too hard to stretch. Answers nicely now please.

Regards

SteveD

I've heard on certain models of vehicles this is possible. As for the Barchetta, because of the configuration of the belt it would near impossible to achieve this.[/QUOTE]


Many thanks. My hope in the future is that I could watch a cambelt being changed on a Barchetta so I could
do it myself.

 

[s130]

Regarding the cam belt change:

1) 5 years or 50K miles - both of these are safe and possibly early change points

2) cutting in half and replacing

I've replaced cam belts of Fiats for more times/years than I care to remember. As a general rules of thumb for older petrol 8V engines then special timing tools are not really required and the concepts of marking, slicing, etc are valid options if done carefully and correctly.

HOWEVER using any form of template (eg. slicing or marking) and refitting the new belt as an overlay *totally* relies on the fact that the belt coming off was itself correctly fitted and timed!!!!

With the older 8V and even 16V engines (pre variable cam timing etc) then the alignment to TDC, check all the timing marks, remove belt, replace belt, hand crank and recheck all timing marks was fully sufficient.

Now with the later engines with variable cam timing, stricter emissions, better fuel control etc. etc then cam belt timing has become a "closer" / "more accurate" procedure. i.e. lock everything down, loosen cam shaft sprockets off, fit belt (allowing sprockets to self align) and then retighten all.

Regarding the Barchetta then a cam locking timing kit will cost around £70. Not a big deal of money and if you want to be sure your timing is correct then you have to go down this route to be sure nobody has changed the timing in the past.

 

[StevePD]

Thanks s130,
I suspected there wasn't a foolproof shortcut. Excellent explanation thanks. Is there any walk through posted for the Barchettas ca belt change other than foreign language one I found which still leaves some guess work for the novice?
Cheers
Steve D

 

[Professorwho]

Thanks for the replies, just getting the paint work up to scratch, will post pics in due course!

 

[gar074]

Hi Prof, good to hear you're making progress!

 

[Professorwho]

Just a couple more questions!
I will post pics of the repairs in progress over the weekend.
Do people think it's worth going for a stainless exhaust? Looking at the underside of the car I suspect I will need a replacement soon as it looks rather corroded and the rusty tail pipes are not nice to see!
Also air filters, will a "performance" filter mess with the balance of the engine? And is it worth it?
Last question (for a bit) I was considering fitting a wind deflector like this one:
http:// boot-rack dot co dot uk/wind-deflectors/fiat-barchetta-wind-deflector/
Does anyone have experience of how hard it will be to do?
(Url broken because I don't have 5 posts yet!)

 

[Dave-M]

Regarding the exhaust, it depends on how long you wish to keep your Barchetta, stainless systems are the more expensive option, but last longer also sound better. I bought an aftermarket rear section, lasted 2 years.I now have Powerflow system installed very happy with it.
Removing the existing air filter housing is an option, but your replacement filter will be effected by the heat from the engine compartment this will compromise your performance. So consider the placement and type of performance filter you buy.my installation, despite channelling cold air and a heat deflector can on a very hot day suffer.
I may have the exhaust manifold ceramic coated to remove some of the heat source, also will get rid of the aluminium heatshield,

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[gar074]

I agree with Dave-M on the exhaust - mine's stainless from the cat back, with double pipes at the rear (large ones . It's been on the car at least 10 years and is still in great shape - and it sounds awesome!

The Fiat wind-deflectors are easy to fit if you have some DIY skills, although you have to measure up very carefully to avoid it fouling on the hood when it's up. I've got one on mine, but most of the time I don't use it, as I prefer the uncluttered look, with the cheeky red headrests popping up out of the passenger compartment. I install it if I'm doing a longer trip with any significant motorway/dual carriageway driving, as it cuts down on the buffeting, but when pottering around rural Suffolk I don't bother. If you're considering buying a non-Fiat item, make sure you get written confirmation that it fits, and that it comes with full instructions, preferably with photos! (Fiat ones pop up on EBay every now & then - that's where I found mine)

 

[Crachat]

I looked at these before buying a second hand deflector via Henk at Barchettaparts. I must admit the leather finish is appealing, but I'm happy with what I've got.
FWIW Henk has this listed:- http://www.barchettaparts.com/catal...ct/product&filter_name=windstop&product_id=48

I've re-posted your link to boot-rack for you:-
http://boot-rack.co.uk/wind-deflectors/fiat-barchetta-wind-deflector/

 

[Professorwho]

Hole in rear bumper now filled and sanded down ready for painting.

 

[Professorwho]

Update time
I've nearly finished the rear bumper, looks like some rust under the paint of the boot so that is a priority. I also have the gappy window problem, nice puddle in the passenger seat well after rain! I've found the thread on how to adjust so we will see...
I've been on barchettaparts.com looking for bits, I think I may just swap the speedo surround and vents for the limited grey ones to lift the inside, and I found the page on special items. What is this:
http://www.barchettaparts.com/catalog/index.php?route=product/product&path=45&product_id=565
A solution to?

 

[StevePD]

Hi,
The part is a heat shield which fits over the first part of the exhaust down pipes. The original part can crack at the bolt fixing position and rattle. I still have an original fitted so not all end up cracked.
Steve D