Untitled

[Jim]

Are the AA service centres any good???

I've got a suspected head gasket problem. Should I take it to FIAT or are the AA any good because i can get a discount there.

Any feedback would be very much apretiated.

I live in leeds so if any one knows a good garage then please let me know.

Many thanks!!!!!

Jim.

 

[Tom]

Fiat. What are the symptoms?

 

[Jim]

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Hi Tom,

Fuel injector light came on initialy. The car started missfiring badly so called out the AA. He said that the compression in the first cylinder is lower than it should be, so it was him that diognised it as possibly being the head gasket! Does that sound like head gasket to you?

I actually have parts and labour cover up to £500 so i'm not so bothered about finding the cheapest garage. I just want it done well.

Many thanks.

 

[Tom]

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I'd doubt its the HG. Is it using oil or water?

Whats the engine size, age, mileage etc...?

Slightly low compression can be caused by many things. I don't suppose you remember the actual readings he took?

 

[JIm]

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Tom, your the man.

The reading in the 1st cylinder was about 100 I think, whilst the other's were about 150 (does that sound right?). It's your favorite - 1.6, P reg, 73,000 miles.

If worst comes to the worst and it is the head gasket, would this be more than £500? They won't give me an estimate at all!

Thanks

 

[Jim]

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It doesn't seem to be loosing water or oil!!! (not at any fast rate anyway). It's not completely imobile, just very sluggish!

 

[judge judy]

valves

my old tipo 2.0ie had low compression in the 3rd cylinder! this was down to worn valves, maybe this could be your problem?

just a suggestion

 

[Tom]

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Jim, do you know if its ever had new fuel injectors? The pre 2000/1 1.6 has known dodgey injectors and the symptoms are missfire and injection light on.

What might be the case is that No1 was not getting any fuel so wasn't running which means it would be cold and dry hence low comp reading.

 

[bullitt]

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Jim mate, the AA screwed me over with their so called cover. I had parts and labour cover as part of my breakdown cover with them but they do anything to avoid paying out on it. I was told by the AA mechanic who took my bravo in that i would be covered for all costs then i ended up havin to pay out £800. My advice would be to go to Fiat they know what they are on about.

bullitt

 

[Roger Ramjet]

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Jim,

Take it to Fiat - they have all the correct diagnostice equipment. They can diagnose your problems, but you dont have to let THEM fix them. Especially if it's a head gasket, as a Fiat Franchise wont be cheap. Unfortunately.

 

[Jim]

Thanks everyone for your help. I took it to fiat in the end. You might be right Tom, they think it is a faulty injector and so are changing that now. However, they say it may also be a problem with the ECU which could be big bucks, but they can't tell until the injectors changed!!!

The AA say they'll cover the injector if that's the problem, but if its the ECU thats the problem they'll cover that but i'll have to pay for the injector myself!!!

They also think that the cambelt might be on its way out - but this should be under warranty because i only had it done in January.

Hence, I'm cancelling crimbo this year!!

 

[Tom]

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Still cheaper than a botched head gasket change.

 

[Jim]

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Very true.

 

[Tom]

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Tenner says it is the injector, only had 3 die on mine.

 

[Jim]

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I hope your right, in fact if you are i'd gladly give you a tennor!!!!

Did you change the injector's yourself? Is it a hard job?

 

[Tom]

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Fiat did the first under waranty, Fiat did the second due to needing the car in a hurry (£250) and I changed all 4 after the 3rd died.

Fiat wanted £120+VAT for the injectors, my local Weber dealer wanted £70 each.

 

[Jim]

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Thanks, i'll bear that in mind if it happens again.

 

[Tom]

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The 3 died in about 12 months from getting the car.

 

[Richard]

DON'T GO TO THE AA CENTRE

I did, got duff advice that would have cost me £250 - went to a local garage - job done - they were so shocked what the AA had told me they didn't bother charging me for the 10 minutes of their time it took to fix the problem.

STAY AWAY!