Italian 126 owner from Germany

[Sam]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and just found it looking for info on cleaning the oil filter in my '82.  I used to be one of those people who thought minis were all the rage until I went to Poland and discovered the 126.  I've had mine, an import from Torino, Italy, for about four months now and love it.  Its a lot of fun to drive and its good to see so many other rabid fans on line.  Hopefully I can share some useful info in exchange for the good stuff I have found on here already.

[Chris Lakin]

hi there Sam!! good to have you on here!!

with regards to cleaning the oil filter, as you probably know its a centrifugal one, and hard to get to with out dropping engine, how many miles has it done?

regards

Chris

[paul harbinson.]

Hi Sam,welcome,yes we've all done the mini thing,I loved (and still do) the original Italian Job then noticed these small FIAT's in the background the 126's older brother,the nuova cinquecento.as we say here it's all good criac.

[fiatfsm]

hi sam, welcome to the forum... the 126 is a rare sight in Germany now.

[Sam]

Chris, the car has about 60,000 miles on it.  I have all of the original documentation...except a service record.  My Haynes manual said that it could be done without removing the engine, but we'll see.  I am going to pick up some stuffage at my parts store and then we'll worry about it.  It's not going to far anyway since the previous owner never drove in the snow.  Ive been trying to keep it out of the salt and chemicals.

[Chris Lakin]

wow thats some mileage!

obviously well maintained, i think it is possible to clean oil filter with engine in the car! if you remove the rear valence, however isnt it quicker to drop engine onto jack?

your very wise to not do too many miles, whilst weather is bad. Is it waxoyld? im in the process of waxoyling mine!

regards

Chris

[paul harbinson.]

Right lad's don't start taking engine's out :shock: ,you can do it with the engine in it's just a bit fiddly(especially when you have sausage finger's like me .When you get the ten mm bolt's out take the filter off and clean it well out,get all the crud out,rember to put the "o" ring back on then,line up the mark's on the crank pully and filter housing,fit all the bolt's and tighten up evenly (in a star shape).There now that will keep you busy .