General Uno Sump Seal

[gholian]

Hi, Is it possible to get a sump seal for an Uno Fire 1L from auto factors or specialist Fiat parts place, can anyone recommend a good specialist in NL or UK that I could order from. I don't want to ask the main dealer here as I hate them, such fools!.

Also what does it mean when a head gasket goes? and what is involved in rebuilding it or is there any way to now if it is a bout to go.

Thanks,

 

[Peterg]

Re Head gasket
Signs are loss of compression, steam comingg from your exhaust, coolant loss, engine oil mixing with the water and having a milky coloured top.
Oil leak from the block.
As for replacing it pretty easy if you are a competent diyer do your cam belt at the same time.
Pete

 

[gholian]

Thanks for the information. I am okay so far as don't have any of those symptoms. I was wondering is it worth rebuilding the head gasket before it goes or what is invoilved in doing it. I was looking around the engine and some of the oil seals need doing also the timeing belt is due for renewal.

Thanks.

 

[jjhepburn]

OK, first don’t bother with the head gasket, when it goes replace it. Only ever take the head off if there is a problem, not as preventative maintenance

Second, replacing the cam belt on a 1lt is dead easy, and cheap. But dont loose any sleep over it because the engine is non-interference so if the belt goes it causes no damage (the engine just stops), but if you are in the mood go for it.

Third, the sump gasket is probably fine. Oil leaks often look like they are off the sump when in reality its the oil seal in the distributor and the oil is dripping down the front of the engine. Thats not saying its definitely not the sump gasket, but I would try replacing the oil seal in the distributor first. The cam cover gasket is another favourite.

A good hint is to give the engine a good clean then take it for a short drive. Just long enough to get the engine warmed up. Then check for oil leaks, oil on the thermostat is a dizzy seal (there are two, one inside the distributor and another o-ring on the outside).

 

[gholian]

I will wash down the engine at the weekend and see where the leak is from. Is it possible to get seals from a motor factors or is it a main dealer job.

My Uno is an 89 with 110,000 miles on it, what will these Fire engines do if they are properly maintained. I have it over 11 years and service it every 3000 miles or six months. The bodywork is fine as I underseal it every two years.

Thanks.

 

[thepottleflump]

I will wash down the engine at the weekend and see where the leak is from. Is it possible to get seals from a motor factors or is it a main dealer job.

My Uno is an 89 with 110,000 miles on it, what will these Fire engines do if they are properly maintained. I have it over 11 years and service it every 3000 miles or six months. The bodywork is fine as I underseal it every two years.

Thanks.

Good advice - don't try and fix something which isn't broken.

I think the sump doesn't have a proper gasket but uses the gasket seal in a tube stuff.

If you are in the Uk you can buy gaskets from www.shop4parts.co.uk but yes would think a good motor factors could get them for you if they don't already have them in stock.

If you service it every 3000 miles or 6 months and the way you have mentioned it'll last for years! I'm sure some have mentioned a realistic life of 250,000 miles from the fire engine, wonder if the rest of the car will last that long!

 

[gholian]

250,000 for a 1L engine is a lot of miles. I thought mine was nearing the end of its life at 110,000. It working fine and all that but I didn't know how much they would do.

Could I use just gasket seal on the sump and no gasket. Would that be as good.

Thanks.

 

[thepottleflump]

250,000 for a 1L engine is a lot of miles. I thought mine was nearing the end of its life at 110,000. It working fine and all that but I didn't know how much they would do.

If you are regularly changing your oil every 3000 miles that will be very good for it and will prolong it's life. Obviously if you treat an engine badly, i.e. hard acceleration, breaking, redlining, long periods of high revs and generally putting it under a lot of stress it will shorten its life due to increased wear. Drive it with respect, service it regularly and the engine will go on and on.

Could I use just gasket seal on the sump and no gasket. Would that be as good.

I thought gasket seal was the only option. I didn't think you could get a gasket for the sump. Can anyone confirm?

 

[SuperUno]

Obviously if you treat an engine badly, i.e. hard acceleration, breaking, redlining, long periods of high revs and generally putting it under a lot of stress it will shorten its life due to increased wear. Drive it with respect, service it regularly and the engine will go on and on.

You mean driving an Uno like this is a bad thing

 

[thepottleflump]

Ok, when racing no!!!!!!

 

[jjhepburn]

Pottleflump I think you are right, the sump seal is just black gunk. If you are going to change it make sure you get ALL of it off before applying some new stuff, otherwise it will just leak again. But as I have said before it doesnt tent to leak.

gholian from the way you have described maintaining your car it should last longer than you The FIRE engine is a very sturdy piece of engineering. In most cases the engine will long outlive the body of the car. But since you have been looking after the body as well then they should both last you many many years good work most people tend to see Unos as cheap disposable cars which aren't worth the effort of maintaining correctly.

 

[alexGS]

To confirm: no, there is no sump gasket for the FIRE engine. Use good-quality silicone sealant. I have found the Loctite 'Master Blue' to be best. It has a non-glossy, paste-like texture.

thepottleflump mentioned high revs and hard acceleration etc. as detrimental to the engine's health. My personal opinion is that missed oil changes and lack of 'green stuff' in the coolant are far more risky. You may also like to ensure that the thermostat is allowing the engine to warm up correctly. High revs/hard acceleration are more likely to be harmful if the engine is cold.

-Alex

 

[Chas Uno]

My Uno is an 89 with 110,000 miles on it, what will these Fire engines do if they are properly maintained?

Go to the Top Gear website, and somewhere in their old car reports they mention that a properly maintained FIRE engine is good for 200,000 miles. Top Gear also mentioned that they knew/ heard of a classic Panda running still running the original engine at 300,000 miles

How many people have actually managed to break a FIRE engine?!!!! With the exception of Smokeme who gets about 150bhp from a little racing 1.0 litre and the Cinq mob who run high boost VAD turbos of course!

Nothing wrong with giving the FIRE some stick, but make sure it is serviced properly/ regularly and ALWAYS make sure the engine is up to operating temperature before revving it hard. Also, don't rev it over 5000rpm, because the torque and power curves mean going above this is pointless, as well as cam lift strangling the engine's breathing. If you want to rev it over 5000rpm and get more power, fit a Punto 75 camshaft and have the head ported first

 

[gholian]

Some great praise for the FIRE engine there. I keep the engine serviced reqularly and don't push it hard so hopefully it will last. I was a bit concerned when it went over 110,000 as I didn't know if A Fiat engine would do much more but now my mind is at ease.

Thanks everyone.