Hi

Recently joined, got a 1994 1.7 Diesel, only trouble is there's not much info out there about them! I've been told they're extremely strong, reliable engines. However, after a year or so standing in the drive, I'm going to have to make sure everything's OK.

First on my list is the air filter, as the old one is filthy, and there were chunks of dirt in the box it sits in (not sure what it's called, but the one with pipes which go into the main engine block). I'm thinking of getting one of those performance air filters, as the one in there needs replacing anyway. Would I be wasting my time with one or should I get a plain ordinary one? I'm also worried about complications as I gon't have a manual, and haven't managed to find one as of yet.

I'm also wondering if any other performance parts (exhausts, filters, computer chips...?) will actually make a real difference to the performance of the engine, I'm not too bothered about going over 100MPH, it'd just be nice to know it could if I wanted to

I know these may be pretty obvious questions, but I'm new to cars and I don't want to fall prey to gimmicks that don't actually do anything! Thanks for reading this far...I know it's a long post!

unfortunately from a tuning point of view i don't think the 1.7 diesel is the most tunable, lacking the turbo which makes modern diesels so tuneable. however i think the unit might also of been used in mk1 puntos so they might be able to give more help?

the box with the filter in is called the air box, so you were pretty close lol.

for now if i were you i'd get a standard replacement filter, these are pretty easy flowing anyway so you probably won't make much gains with a performance one anyway. also you say it's been stood for a year or so? first thing to do would be to make sure it's MoT-able.

I'm nearly there (touch wood). All I need to do is a bit of welding at the back under the boot & get some new tyres. The electrics are a bit shoddy, but i think I've got it sussed now (touch wood again...haha). Come to think of it, that's still quite a lot. It'll teach me for putting off learning to drive for so long!

So long as i can drive places that's all that matters, but I'll look into the MK1 Punto parts if I have spare cash later. Thanks for the reply!

oh decat it, if it has a catalyst, you don't need to have them on diesels. that'll free up a bit of power.

I have been looking for my Tipo diesel "chip" for a while. Maybe its fallen off? :chin:

There's a box thing with wires going into it at the right of the engine...I guessed it was there! I don't know though...everything seems to be well hidden! Do you have the 1.9TD or a 1.7D like mine?

I've upped my photos if anyone wants to see?

Jonti has the 1.9TD, big improvement would be a flush and change of the engine oil.

I'll get on that...Oil, new oil filter & air filter are next on my list of things to buy! As soon as the MOT repairs are sorted (tyres, welding & lights) ... should be OK electrically as soon as I fit new hazard button...am I right in thinking that once that button's sorted my Indicators will work again (button broke then indicators broke, fuses & bulbs OK)?

rorypie said:

I'll get on that...Oil, new oil filter & air filter are next on my list of things to buy! As soon as the MOT repairs are sorted (tyres, welding & lights) ... should be OK electrically as soon as I fit new hazard button...am I right in thinking that once that button's sorted my Indicators will work again (button broke then indicators broke, fuses & bulbs OK)?

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yup! if you can't find a hazard button, alfa 155's use exactly the same one,

Gaz on here breaks tipos, advertises on ebay too, and might have one going?, alsohttp://www.alfabettacars.co.uk/ he'll probably have one in stock and is another good source of parts.

ps just seen the pics, looks excellent, if a little faded! lol.

There are NO chip(s). Imagine the computing power of an Argos kettle. Then slash that by 100% - you end up with the microprocessing power embodied in a diesel Tipo. Fuel in, exhaust out ! A few threads ago somone swapped their steel wheels on a blue 3 door which had the original Mk 2 trims, perhaps its worth seeing if they still have them?

Thanks, got a hazard button...arrived today. Works like a charm

Been running her to get the battery charging and oil/fuel flowing - the exhaust smoke is invisible! All I need is a welder & 4 tyres then MOT will be no problem!

I plan on T-Cutting tomorrow - if I do I'll post some new pictures, should be very red By the way, I'm going for the 'original' look, what do you think to these wheel trims?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280355988744&ssPageName=ADME:B:BCA:GB:1123

I know they aren't the original ones shipped with the tipo, but they're similar. Think they'd look good?

sounds a bit like the computing power of my brain at the moment! hahaha
I think it's better that way, no silly comuter telling your engine how to be an engine...just good old fashioned diesel power

Although...fleabay sellers out there are selling mod chips that work on 'all Fiat diesels' and list the Tipo as compatible car. What's the chip going to do?

Those wheels sound pretty tempting...i'm the highest bidder on them wheels now though, but if I get outbid I may ask about them, as I don't plan on spending more than £25 on 'style' stuff until I have all the essentials sorted out (air filter, oil filter, tyres & welding work beneath boot). I can't wait to get on the road!

Your Tipo has 14" wheels, not 15" ! Doh!

I've got a set of decent original 14" Tipo Mk2 wheel trims (plus some scruffy ones), never quite got round to advertising them. They're not exactly funky, but they are genuine.

I must have measured wrongly...i measured from edge to edge straight accross (using nuts as a guide) and found 15". I hope I get outbidded now.

Unless I have aftermarket bigger wheels or something. I'll remeasure tomorrow, what's the proper way of measuring them?

If they indeed are the proper 14" wheels it came with, how much would you want for them? Also, are you far from Manchester as I can't drive yet to pick them up. It's so annoying having a car sat there that you can't drive!

From the handbook (have you got one?) the 1.7 diesel had standard 5.5J x 14" steel rims with (skinny, silly) 165/65 R14 T tyres - if you get new tyres go for 175/65 x 14 or maybe 185/60 x 14.

Wheeltrims, other bits, etc to a good home (i.e. resurrected Tipo) would be very reasonable, I'm on the Wirral so handy for Manchester.

I'll sort out a classified ad for my stuff, before we get told off by the moderators....

bluejohn125 said:

I'll sort out a classified ad for my stuff, before we get told off by the moderators....

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I think i was measuring the wrong, I was measuring from the lip at the edge of the wheel. The tyres are R14's so wheels must be 14" or tyres wouldn't fit!

I'll be getting new tyres soon as I have 3 flats one's been slashed by the looks of it. What would I gain from the bigger tyres compared to smaller ones? I can imagine bigger tyres gripping better, but what kind of effect would this have on normal driving?

The ride will be more refined, less wobbling and wandering on the tyre. Probably slightly cheaper too.

Sweet! I'll keep note of those sizes when I get some tyres, thanks a lot for all the help & info...gonna have a sweet ride soon

I've now posted an ad for some Tipo spares, including original wheeltrims and upraded speakers. Hopefully they'll be of interest - you've got a good original car with an unusual engine, it would be good to see it running in standard condition with sensible improvements.

About your new tyres - you should check if the Diesels need "Heavy duty" tyres - sometimes they do because of the weight of the engine. I would go for 175/65 x 14s, the best compromise between performance and cost, they will fit the standard steel rims nicely. It's the sme size as the Bravos/Bravas.