Technical sump plug hell

[John202020]

This is the front pipe clamp, note the clamp attaches to a bracket that attaches to the gearbox

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[steveras57]

This is the front pipe clamp, note the clamp attaches to a bracket that attaches to the gearbox

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This clamp is so important as it supports the weight of the system at the front so as not to stress the manifold connections and studs!- its the one part that if rusty or non-existent you should replace and or re-fit immediately!

 

[jrkitching]

and blinking awkward to remove from its hangers

Easiest way is to cut it up into sections using something like this with a metal cutting disc.

 

[AnthonyH]

don't replace parts which, although a little past their best, are still functional.

This is the advice you should heed regarding the exhaust.

I've had 4 puntos and they all dripped like this, never failed an MOT on that either.

You don't want to be wrestling with exhausts underneath a car.

 

[sherbsville]

This is the front pipe clamp, note the clamp attaches to a bracket that attaches to the gearbox

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oooooh ok, tysm. So to check, this is under the leaf in my pic?Not the same one as was in the video and pic I posted?

Should I still change the other one too, as it looks a mess? The smaller one? Or would that risk making it worse?

I was googling things to put on the hole, if it is a hole, there were loads of things. There's something called gun gum, that you can get all sorts for. Metal bandages to go over pipes and wotnot. Is something like that worth considering? Or leave it be.

I guess it's hard to say until I get better pics tomorrow. Thankyou all so much.

@steveras57 @jrkitching

 

[koalar]

Front clamp looks fine

Or am I missing something

Although I can only see one side

 

[steveras57]

Front clamp looks fine

Or am I missing something

View attachment 455081

Although I can only see one side

seen (much) worse!

 

[sherbsville]

Front clamp looks fine

Or am I missing something

View attachment 455081

Although I can only see one side

I was confused too, as thought it was the other one I'm meant to change as it looks really bad. I will get better pics tomorrow, and poke both to see how they feel.

 

[AnthonyH]

Front clamp looks fine

Or am I missing something

View attachment 455081

Although I can only see one side

I can't see anything wrong here.

 

[koalar]

I'd just put my hand over the exhaust if it's pressurising it's good enough

Probably will not need changing

The hangers normally are not a problem

I squirt fairy instead of WD40 then do this

 

[rmjbn1]

Front clamp looks fine

Well spotted koalar! I didn't even see it, I was so used to seeing mine not being there! (I've made up my own bracket with an exhaust clamp).

It all looks fine, @sherbsville, your exhaust is nothing to worry about. Wait until the MOT mentions it, then have a think. Just keep an eye on that bracket. Now, go and worry about something else

In fact, I'd say the underside of your car is in remarkably good condition for its age, so you don't need to feel sorry for Bubbles. An occasional wipe with oil or grease on the sump pan and rear spring pans will keep her happy

 

[sherbsville]

Well spotted koalar! I didn't even see it, I was so used to seeing mine not being there! (I've made up my own bracket with an exhaust clamp).

It all looks fine, @sherbsville, your exhaust is nothing to worry about. Wait until the MOT mentions it, then have a think. Just keep an eye on that bracket. Now, go and worry about something else

In fact, I'd say the underside of your car is in remarkably good condition for its age, so you don't need to feel sorry for Bubbles. An occasional wipe with oil or grease on the sump pan and rear spring pans will keep her happy

Aaaawww thankyou! She's had some nice moisturiser everywhere apart from the plug side of the sump, as there's still a tiiiiiiny bit of oil coming out, and I need to keep feeling it.

My plan was to dramatically post a pic of the fixed clamp on the exhaust, as halfords had it in stock last night,but not just now when I went in for it, so doh!

Also, beep halfords to hell. I bought some chocks the other week, and one was welded together. It was the same beep who was mean to me about the used slave cylinder. He wouldnt swap the chocks without a receipt. I ended up sitting on the chairs our front, and crying to customer service, who said all I needed was my bank statement. He was so so horrible, unhelpful, and a beep. Anway, another guy swapped em, after I showed him bank statement. It turns out he wouldve swapped without a receipt. As I left, I went up to the beep, like Julia Roberts in pretty woman. except in an aldi bobble hat with an led light on the front, oodie, and thick waistcoat, and told him I'd called cs, and that all he had to do to help was ask me to show statement. How he could've saved me alot of stress, and I just flounced out, as I am that cool. The other day I thought he mightve been having a bad day, but idk now.

Anyway, so I'm gonna get a new exhaust clamp, as I think that's the biggest issue. The bolts on the front clamp were kinda shady, so I will add that to the checklist, and will do it at some point. The actual band felt pretty strong, but I don't wanna jinx anything.

Anyway, eres the messed up exhaust clamp, leak, and the other clamp.

 

[AnthonyH]

Halfords staff are very variable. Some great, some awful. I go in there expecting to do their job for them. And sometimes I have.

 

[steveras57]

Halfords staff are very variable. Some great, some awful. I go in there expecting to do their job for them. And sometimes I have.

In Halfords i always go for the middle age person, as the work experience H**fwit aint got a clue and the old G*t is to busy worrying about his pension and heating bill he dont give a s*it about anyone else! but to be honest there both probably on minimum wage or less and im guessing neither of em really want to be there anyway!. better to shop online these days but then your supporting China s march towards world domination so theres no *kin hope really! .

 

[AnthonyH]

Aaaawww thankyou! She's had some nice moisturiser everywhere apart from the plug side of the sump, as there's still a tiiiiiiny bit of oil coming out, and I need to keep feeling it.

My plan was to dramatically post a pic of the fixed clamp on the exhaust, as halfords had it in stock last night,but not just now when I went in for it, so doh!

Also, beep halfords to hell. I bought some chocks the other week, and one was welded together. It was the same beep who was mean to me about the used slave cylinder. He wouldnt swap the chocks without a receipt. I ended up sitting on the chairs our front, and crying to customer service, who said all I needed was my bank statement. He was so so horrible, unhelpful, and a beep. Anway, another guy swapped em, after I showed him bank statement. It turns out he wouldve swapped without a receipt. As I left, I went up to the beep, like Julia Roberts in pretty woman. except in an aldi bobble hat with an led light on the front, oodie, and thick waistcoat, and told him I'd called cs, and that all he had to do to help was ask me to show statement. How he could've saved me alot of stress, and I just flounced out, as I am that cool. The other day I thought he mightve been having a bad day, but idk now.

Anyway, so I'm gonna get a new exhaust clamp, as I think that's the biggest issue. The bolts on the front clamp were kinda shady, so I will add that to the checklist, and will do it at some point. The actual band felt pretty strong, but I don't wanna jinx anything.

Anyway, eres the messed up exhaust clamp, leak, and the other clamp.

Hows it going?

I'm not sure how much you want to get into being a mechanic, but if you're up for more then you should think about the other high maintenance items. You're looking at exhaust, have done an oil change, so another biggie is front brakes. Have you checked the front brakes?

 

[sherbsville]

Hows it going?

I'm not sure how much you want to get into being a mechanic, but if you're up for more then you should think about the other high maintenance items. You're looking at exhaust, have done an oil change, so another biggie is front brakes. Have you checked the front brakes?

Oooooh no, I haven't. Apparently I'm into the mechanic thing now. Also plumbing. What do I need to look at pls? Ty.

On another note, I hurt Bubbles! The seatbelt got stuck in the door, and chipped her. I'm so upset. I spent over an hour looking at paint the other day, but idk which place to use. I would need a primer, as there's a bit of rust on the wheel arch too, but idk about lacquer. I feel so bad. Whatever I read, ppl have mixed reviews. A couple of people said the og fiat paint doesn't even match.

 

[steveras57]

In my experience no touch up paint is ever an exact match! on e-bay a supplier i have used is paints4ucomltd if you want to have a look!

 

[AnthonyH]

Oooooh no, I haven't. Apparently I'm into the mechanic thing now. Also plumbing. What do I need to look at pls? Ty.

Take the wheel off and look at the thickness of the brake pads.

In the pic you can see the thickness of these new ones are about 10mm. Yours need to be no less than 3mm.

 

[sherbsville]

Take the wheel off and look at the thickness of the brake pads.

In the pic you can see the thickness of these new ones are about 10mm. Yours need to be no less than 3mm.

View attachment 455359

oooh cool, ty. Added to the list of jobs. I know one of the front ones was changed last year, but will check em soon. I need to make a post about my alloys at some point, but wanna get the allotment and garden sorted first, as I've been neglecting em due to car stuff.