Author Topic: Looking at a Bis, Few questions???  (Read 8847 times)

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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« on: September 23, 2008, 01:45:38 AM »
Hi all,
I am interested in a 126 Bis that I have seen, but I was wondering don't the water cooled's have many problems with them ( over heating etc )?
What are the common problems with them?
Also I would have to make a 225 mile journey to get it home, would it ( if its in good nick obviously ) make it that far ok?
I would prefer to go air cooled but tbo I can't find any for sale at the minute that aren't too may miles away from me.
Thanks,
Adam.
Fiat 126 Bis Owner

Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2008, 07:30:03 AM »
Hy.
As i said many times before, it all depends on the individual car (owner) if the bis was kept in a good condition it can make the journey easy, but if the previous owners didnt give a cr@p about it then youre gonna have some probs. my bis has been kept in a good condition during its lifetime and has never given any problems concerning the cooling system.
The main fault on its engine is the thermostat location, which makes the head gasket go, but this can be overcome by simply removing the therm.

it is my opinion that if you want a aircooled you should wait for one, cos i get the feeling that they're not so similar, but if the bis is in a good condition, id say go for it. simply make a few pauses on your way back, and leave the interriour heating on, which in turn helps keep the engine cool... :cool:  

hope any of this helps... Gordan  :wink:
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stuey

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2008, 07:43:37 AM »
As above as long as its been looked after theres no reason a BIS shouldnt be able to keep up with modern traffic (65mph) and make the journey with ease, Ive done a 200 mile journey in mine with no problems but they are like any other car -only as strong as their weakest part (my ten year old beemer has broken down more than my BIS in the last 6 months), but as with any car of this age I would not travel any where without breakdown recovery just in case!

go on just do it!!  :wink:
one resprayed and another arrives- double trouble BIS style!!

Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2008, 07:59:05 AM »
You know you want to....  :D  :wink:
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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2008, 10:40:17 AM »
Thanks for the replys guys  :) . I will have to ask the seller a few more questions I think first.
Fiat 126 Bis Owner

Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2008, 11:33:25 AM »
What year is it? Mileage? Any pics?
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jumpinjacks

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Fiat 126 Bis Owner

jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2008, 04:16:20 PM »
Right I think I'm gonna go for it, but first do you think I should take some tools with me to remove the thermostat before I start the big journey? Or shall I try and drive it home with it still in?
If I should take it out then where abouts is it, and is it easy to take out?
What tools should I bring? ( I will be travelling up there by train so don't want to carry loads of tools )
Fiat 126 Bis Owner

Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2008, 05:43:18 PM »
theres no need to remove it immediately, its a investment in the future, so if the headgasket hadnt gone up to this point i figure itll last the trip home. some basic tools could come in handy, just in case ( + - screwdriver, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17 wrench... and so...)

the best advice i can give you is like i said before, take a pause every now and then, just till you make sure it wont boil its kettle...  :wink:

the photos on ebay are like 100x100 so hard to see anything other than the colour.. LOL... just give it a nice thorough inspection once there (brakes, steering, kingpins, tires, battery... and so on... :wink: )

best of luck  :cool:
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jumpinjacks

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2008, 08:56:19 PM »
Also are the parts still available easily for them ?
Fiat 126 Bis Owner

nathan126

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2008, 09:26:22 PM »
A bit of searching to get lower prices, but sure. Mainly from poland and germany though  :cool:
new email address: [email protected]

Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #11 on: September 23, 2008, 09:41:48 PM »
well, i can get most parts from local car parts shops...  :P  :P  :P  dk about the west countries though...  :roll:  :roll:
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dajwid

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2008, 07:01:19 AM »
Not many Bis in Poland so parts are not easy to find there.

Gordan

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2008, 07:44:21 AM »
this is strange, all the parts i needed i found in my local shop (well except the rear main bearing :???: ) but clutch, fuel pump, air filter,  brake parts, tyres... etc are all still avaliable. thought that the home country of the car would be better equipped.... well come to think about it, most of my parts were from italy...
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dajwid

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Looking at a Bis, Few questions???
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2008, 09:59:27 AM »
Bis wasn't popular in Poland at all, parts that are the same on both can be bought bid Bis bits are tough to find. Not really sure why, I see they have a small following on fiat and furious bus not ofte seen on the streets or up for sale on Allegro. For example at the moment 4 bis for sale and about 200 aircooled.