Technical Warning for all you 2.4 owners

[DoIDon'tI]

Well, two warnings really:-

1. When the aircon drivebelt needs changing (72K), get the garage to do it. The cambelt is easy compared to this.

2. Your car has an oil cooler, it's behind the RH (looking from the driver's seat) lower grille in the bumper i.e. below the RH headlight. It is alloy, and has steel pipes going in to it . When I saw how much corrosion there was round the pipes I was shocked; needless to say they are now covered with waxoyl. The 2.4 is the only Croma to have such a cooler, so the only place you will be able to get parts will be Fiat - the cooler alone is over £100 and the hoses will be similar, no doubt.

More to the point, if it corrodes to the point where failure occurs, the first warning you will have will be the low pressure light on the dash, and the damage is done by that point. So - get under your car, drop the small access panel in the undertray immediately behind the bumper (not the main undertray) and shine a torch in - a little action now could save a big problem later.

I should have bought a 1.9...I'd still have skin on my hands :bang:

 

[lanciaman]

Well, two warnings really:-

1. When the aircon drivebelt needs changing (72K), get the garage to do it. The cambelt is easy compared to this.

2. Your car has an oil cooler, it's behind the RH (looking from the driver's seat) lower grille in the bumper i.e. below the RH headlight. It is alloy, and has steel pipes going in to it . When I saw how much corrosion there was round the pipes I was shocked; needless to say they are now covered with waxoyl. The 2.4 is the only Croma to have such a cooler, so the only place you will be able to get parts will be Fiat - the cooler alone is over £100 and the hoses will be similar, no doubt.

More to the point, if it corrodes to the point where failure occurs, the first warning you will have will be the low pressure light on the dash, and the damage is done by that point. So - get under your car, drop the small access panel in the undertray immediately behind the bumper (not the main undertray) and shine a torch in - a little action now could save a big problem later.

I should have bought a 1.9...I'd still have skin on my hands :bang:

That'll teach you to be flash and get the 2.4!!!

Lancia Themas and Kappas also had a similar oil cooler set up. Because it was alloy to steel and the heat of the oil, the pipes effectively welded themselves to the cooler, so if your cooler went you had to replace the pipes as well - and the spares costs were rather high.

Tell you what, I'll swap you my 1.9 manual Eleganza for your 2.4 to put you out of your misery, and will throw in some plasters and savlon as well. Can't say fairer than that!

 

[DoIDon'tI]

If I discover any more "characteristics" like that you're welcome to come and pick through the charred remains to see if anything's salvageable :devil:

 

[dave]

contact john at http://www.hosequip.com/ he maybe able to make up some better hoses. he is a fiat fan too

 

[Hellcat]

The oil cooler rupturing on my Tipo 1.9 TD sent it on its way to the scrapheap in the sky. It also left a trail of dirty black engine oil all the way around town and a big puddle in the centre car park.

oops!

They pretty much did away with them from the Bravo/brava onwards - supprised to see them again.

 

[lanciaman]

If I discover any more "characteristics" like that you're welcome to come and pick through the charred remains to see if anything's salvageable :devil:

lol. priceless. I have a Merc SL500 which generates that reaction. Maybe we could have a double ceremonial burning....