Author Topic: '89 BIS from North Devon  (Read 7843 times)

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kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2013, 10:13:42 PM »
During Christmas time I was tucking the 126 into the garage and noticed a wet patch on the drive... it was petrol! The leak was coming from the top of the fuel tank, so it was suspected leak in the line.

On the ramps. My best friend's other half lives on a farm of some sort and they have a private set of ramps - very handy! With the recent floods, however, it needed a right clean out first.





It was nice to get the 126 up and over to get a real good look underneath  :)



Tank off



A bit of surface rust here and there  :P



We flushed out the fuel tank while it was off and filter it out...



This was the culprit.. it had pretty much worn it's way off!



Old lines off



And new ones on :)

1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2013, 10:18:45 PM »
A week after the fuel line fix... I drove to Plymouth and on the way back it broke down!!! Had to get the RAC out as I was stumped. Turns out the ignition wire from the dizzy had fallen down (obviously my fault from not putting it out the way when doing the fuel lines had fallen onto the exhaust and melted, caused all sorts of bangs and cut outs.

The condenser was fried as well, which was replaced soon after returning home, along with a points gap reset.



In other news, slowly but surely getting there on the Speedlines  :)





Popped the tyres off the bead as well to make refurbing easier.



1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #17 on: April 08, 2013, 10:31:54 PM »
Coolant change! This was well overdue with a brand new thermostat bought back when I got the car!

We drained, flushed, flushed with radflush, reflushed then swapped the thermostat for the new one, and refilled with 50% decent coolant and 50% de-ironised water :) Also used half a bottle of Water Wetter.









A bit of trouble with the thermostat.. it didn't work! The old one was cut out of thr old unit and I cleaned it up a bit, stuck it back on and I'm running thr car without one. No overheating for me anytime soon  ;)

I sent the faulty unit back to the company and they resent me a new, better, Italian made unit.


Sitting pretty with my best friend's R1 powered Mini up front  8)

1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #18 on: April 08, 2013, 10:39:48 PM »
Next up was to fix the leaky gearbox... New boots with metal bushes and new gearbox oil. Castrol 80-90w.

This job took me and my friend bloody ages! Back up on those ramps  :D



This is how minging underneath was



After a small clean



In walked in some help  :thumbup



The drain bolt was on SO TIGHT that we broke a britool breaker bar. Didn't want to risk cocking up the gearbox so we left it and decided up drain it from where the boots are bolted on. Not all of the old oil came out but it was the best we could do.





24 years of crap cleaned off



New part made in Poland.. Bambino parts?  :P



Got camber?





:)

1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #19 on: April 18, 2013, 08:14:47 PM »
I've been carrying on refurbing my wheels and the 126 is still broken  :cry:

I've been sanding and polishing my fingers to the bone - I want these wheels to shine in the sun!













Comparison



Now I've gotta just do the rest! I took the tyres off the ghetto way too, so I could polish the edges  :good:





1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #20 on: April 18, 2013, 08:21:05 PM »
Fitted a new electronic fuel pump and replaced the carb vacuum hosed with some beefy ones  8)







I had ordered a non-return valve as well just so the fuel wouldn't run back into the tank, but it was so cheap and nasty and I'm sure the '6mm' ends were smaller... I just ditched it and didn't include it.







I also replaced the coil spades as they were horrendous!



New vacuum lines, ipod earphones to show how thick the walling is! The hose is still 4mm internal diameter :) I was worried it wouldn't bend easily enough but it's fine



Cleaned up more connections



Look at that old sissy vacuum line!



All done  :)

1989 Fiat 126 BIS

dajwid

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #21 on: April 18, 2013, 09:57:05 PM »
Did you fit the rubber washers under the pump mounting? If not they are really noisy.

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #22 on: April 18, 2013, 10:14:09 PM »
I didn't, but I'll get on that! Thanks for the tip  8)
1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #23 on: April 25, 2013, 11:18:21 PM »
I have news! It's still broken. I've pretty much ruled out what isn't the problem, too much too explain, but it can now only (in theory) be...

  • Air leak at the base of carb and/or inlet manifold
  • Baffles inside exhaust are f****ed/exhaust is f****ed
  • Headgasket. Although no signs of cream
  • Piston rings? It was smokey last time I started it, not sure what colour as I'm colourblind!

I will remove the carb this weekend and seal the hell out of it and try that first. A compression test may be needed though  :-\
What ever is wrong, it should be cheap for parts and I can do it myself at home with some borrowed tools and my owners manual. It;s just finding the problem  >:(


Anyway, I have some pictures I forgot to upload. These were taken the day it broke down, so the last time I drove it really. The first day of spring - how ironic  ::)

Gave the old girl a much needed clean





I also brought out the good ol' peanut butter to do all my plastics. Front and rear bumper still to do though! Worked a treat.













And oh yeah, those Speedline wheels......
1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #24 on: September 03, 2013, 06:41:32 PM »
All fixed, turned out to be nothing but ONE dodgy spark plug. Decided to replace both for the sake of it and BOOM!

Replaced coil and made fresh wires for it.







Took some interior shots when bored!





« Last Edit: September 03, 2013, 07:07:06 PM by kev126 »
1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #25 on: September 03, 2013, 06:43:38 PM »
Took the newly completed wheels (after a long hiatus) down to get the tyres fitted :)



Had to order all new, longer bolts as the new wheels are so much thicker than the standard steels. And fitted!



De-wipered too, looks much sleeker






Next up was to repaint the bumpers black. They were pretty bad and ruined the look!

Idiotic previous owner... although the others snapped off when I took those out! All replaced now.









Added pressed metal plates too :)









« Last Edit: September 03, 2013, 07:13:27 PM by kev126 »
1989 Fiat 126 BIS

Bar Vitelli

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #26 on: September 03, 2013, 07:05:23 PM »
I love this thread, Kevin, beautiful car...keep up the good work!  ;D
Every cloud has one...

Rusty's Uncle

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #27 on: September 03, 2013, 07:14:23 PM »
All looking good  :) Is that shot with what looks like a haunted house near to Halsands with a tea room ?

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #28 on: September 03, 2013, 07:15:16 PM »
Thanks :)

Forgot to add, I have a pair of these to play with. Just a pair though :(



1989 Fiat 126 BIS

kev126

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Re: '89 BIS from North Devon
« Reply #29 on: September 03, 2013, 07:17:14 PM »
All looking good  :) Is that shot with what looks like a haunted house near to Halsands with a tea room ?

It's in Westward Ho!, Devon. it's completely run down but the old lady still lives there. It's unfortunately due to be eroded by the sea, soon :(
1989 Fiat 126 BIS