am i mad!!!

[dcj1]

Hello everybody. I am a newbie. Just bought a fiat 126 on the bay for my wife. Basically i am fed up paying the running costs of my wifes audi 2.4 v6!!!
My new purchase needs the head gasket replacing. . . . is that a major problem?
I'm sure i will have many questions to follow, but for now - a big smile is all over my face!!

atb, David.

[ypsilon_lancar]

 (-*

Hi there, did you go for a BIS or an aircooled?

[dcj1]

I went for a BIS. . . . . . . I have a feeling the air cooled ones are more sought after?

[Pete126]

Hi David, Welcome to the Club

Its not a difficult job and can be done without taking the engine out, I would recommend that once you have the head off that you have it skimmed flat as they tend to warp if they've overheated (A little extra insurance when you re-assemble it) [-/

[Darrell]

Welcome,

You're asking us nutters if you are mad?!
  [-/

[Rusty's Uncle]

YES YOU ARE MAD 
BUT IN A NICE SORT OF WAY :

[dcj1]

Thankyou for the warm welcome.

I am busy surfing the web researching these little gems at the mo. I have a few concerns with the reliability at the moment! I was wondering firstly, is there a well known person who re-builds the 126 water cooled engine or is there a common transplant engine (i'm not after more B.H.P or speed just reliability)
If i'm Honest - i did no research at all before hitting the BID NOW button, but by that time i had already talked my missus ino it!
Looking forward to owning a car with a following because of its character, not it's POWER!

[dajwid]

They are reliable if looked after, many use them as a daily. Cooling is a problem on the Bis but there are fixes. Plenty of Water cooled people on here willing to help.
Remember when you read about these cars most info is about 'I have a problem', that's normal, not too many I used my car for work today and it worked

These are great cars, quirky, fun and put a smile on your face. Sort out the head and enjoy the car.

you are not mad, well not on this forum anyway [-/

[landyman]

madness is a state of mind or is it the state of my mind ? who decides what is normal and what are their qualifications remember your never alone with a schizofrenic or a 126 fiat 

[Pete126]

As Dajwid said You only here about the problems, not only with Fiats but any other car manufacturer on car forums,
that's what this forum is about to help each other if anything does happen with help and advice.
Most routine service jobs can be done with the minimum of tools, and if you have a little mechanical knowledge you can save a fortune unlike most modern cars with ECU's that have to be taken to a garage with labour at 50 to 100 quid an hour.
Over the last ten weeks my Bis has done just over 2000 miles without missing a beat down from Yorkshire to Somerset. Worcestershire and trips to the east coast, Keep it well serviced and it will be reliable [-/ Although i do have AA membership LoL