General Thanks for helping resurrected a Cinq

[filmidget]

Just a post to say 'hello' and a general thanks to contributors to the forum...

A tired little 1996 Cinq Sporting with behavioral problems appeared on RetroRides forum - I have always fancied one, and after lurking and leaching information from here I decided to take it on... and tonight it's just had it's first run out

That's after a HG set, head bolts, skimmed head, cam belt & tensioner, alternator & belt, battery... and new engine mount & bolt

I have been going through a 'big car' phase - mainly Audi and Volvo - so driving this small red bouncy Italian tin is came as a bit of a change (read shock).

Bloody good fun though

Just needs a front exhaust pipe and a little fettling (I find a handbrake useful...)

So thanks especially to those who write/maintain the FAQ and how-to section... you have probably helped save an otherwise doomed Cinq.

Cheers, Phil

 

[fingers99]

Mainly down to Custard then! Hey, someone went to the FAQs first!

 

[rallycinq]

Mainly down to Custard then! Hey, someone went to the FAQs first!

Why the hell did they do that!!!

Good man

Cheers

D

 

[filmidget]

Well I thought I would update this if anybody cares (yes, I am feeling sorry for myself at the moment )

Knew the car needed some work, and it was priced accordingly - Bought the car, sorted the HG, new cam belt etc, replaced alternator (and the engine mount I knackered while doing so).

I knew the front pipe needed replacing, but poor research hadn't indicated that meant the cat as well. Then I find the fuel tank leaks - previous owner didn't mention that! - oh well, win some lose some...

But then Drive it and it's all over the road, so probably new bushes, at least. Hmmm.

Then yesterday I find it's developed a misfire while being stood over weekend. And return to it last night to find a puddle of coolant under the radiator.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the handbrake is non-existant too. The car supposedly passed an MOT 2000-odd miles ago...

I may be buying a box of matches on the way back home

 

[fingers99]

For the fuel tank it's worthwhile pestering FIAT (main office): people are still getting free replacement tanks off them.

The rest is do-able one bit at a time. Make sure it's the rad that's gone, and not the water pump. Handbrakes are (usually) easy, if a bit awkward.

 

[filmidget]

Thanks for sympathic words.

I am leaving it alone at the moment in case I lose my temper with it (need a flamethrower smiley).

Gonna get it up on F-in-L's ramp at the weekend and see what's what. I realise none of the jobs are that big in themselves, but they are adding up cost-wise to far more than the cars worth... and it's tempting to cut my loses now rather than throw more time/money at a fairly battered 96k mile Cinq.

The other problem is the temptation to upgrade as I replace eg poly bushes instead of std, which then deserve decent dampers/springs, which will lead to 14" wheels and new tyres... allowing bigger brakes etc etc

It's a slippery slope I had no intention of going down with this car (having don same with MG and Scirocco), which was meant to be a cheap roundabout 'til saved up for another Audi Quattro.

Arrrg! Indecision!