Engine's are alien to me

[amybethcarr]

Hello everyone.....I need some advice! I am in the process of bidding on a Haynes Manual to try to help the situation, but at the moment I am having to use a lot of guess work, which for a girl who knows nothing about engines, let alone 126 engines, is proving a little tricky!!!

HELP PLEASE

There is a black box on the far left hand side of the engine bay, its about the size of a carton of from concentrate savers orange juice. It is attached to the size of the boot with tubes coming out of it into the engine.....mine looks very new and shiny......what does it do???!!

Also, I am having a bit of a stuttering problem, I thought it might be the spark plugs but i cant get anyone to see him for the next few days. My father who is a mini man (puh puh) noticed that there is a little see through container, the shape of tomato puree in a tin, the little ones, which has what looks like fuel in it. it seems to have a lot of air inside because it seems to have moved from its original position. Do we think that might cause the choughing??

If anyone has a labelled diagram or knows where to source one for now, of the engine, i would be very grateful!! my father asked where the radiator was, or was it aircooled.....i said i know some of them are and there seems to be a lot of vents about the place, but i dont know. you can imagine his face......similar to the one he made when i bought a springer spaniel puppy when still in uni living in rented student house 

Thanks in advance for any help

oooh my car is a 126p 2000 if that helps anyones advice giving!

 

[Hazey-n-Marc]

I think the puree tin is an inline fuel filter, they normally have some air in. Is the fuel dirty? Check all fuel pipes are tight, make sure fuel clips are used as jubilee clips aren't really up for the job on such a small diameter pipe, check for visible splits on fuel lines (they look like liquorice  ), then start the car and feel for dampness on fuel lines. That is as good a starting point as any, there are loads of little things that can cause the symptoms you are getting, no point overloading you until this has been checked.

Marc

[dajwid]

It is aircooled 

The Black box was a Polish attempt at meeting European law. It filters )

Most Haynes manuals won't cover everything on your car, but this site will

[Westy]

I have 2 haynes manuals let me know and i can post one up to you. Unless you've won the one you bid on

[dajwid]

I don't think Haynes will cover the newer models.

[bis13]

you say a stuttering problem and its jumpy that to me sounds like a timing issue if anything as a fuel issue would make the car stall in most cases, does the 2000 126p have the electronic carb? or is it the same as earlier models? i would say get you dad to give it the once over and try adjusting the distributor as the car is running and see if it is running any better afterwards.
and also glad to have you as a member dont worry you will soon pick up some knowledge!!

[dajwid]

It will be the electronic one.

[amybethcarr]

Hi everyone, sorry i have not been ignoring you all......had an insanely busy week at work! Thank you so much for all the comments, and especially the offer of the manual. Mine thankfully arrived in the post today, so will be studying that later!
The stuttering seems to have been caused by the little tomato puree can, which is now being held down by my hair bobble, which is working a treat! Seems that there was just too much air in it, and he (tough wood) hasn't stuttered since!
The breaks are the biggest problem now, as they seem to be clunking into the wheel in the wet and only in the wet, and dragging my car to the curb....tad scary! mechanic man is coming soon though hopefully.
You are all fab by the way and I am enjoying very much having all this wonderful advice from fellow 126 lovers......I really do think that these cars are the best thing EVER made!!!!!xxx

[Hazey-n-Marc]

Our 126 is my 38th'ish vehicle, and nothing apart from my 1965 duple bodied coach has come close to putting such a consistent smile on my face. Bacon, lettuce and mustard panini's might come close though.

Marc

Update, Forgot my 109 series 3 stationwagon Landy, and the SJ413 Suzuki's, Both were close, but the Fiat makes me smile more.

[Abiella]

Yeah Mine is a Polish El 1999 or 2000 (it says different dates on some paperwork)
I have the little black filter box thing and an electronic ignition on the left, instead of a coil to the right.
There are a few random Polish differences to the Haynes Manual but it is still very handy to have. Did you have a problem insuring it as it doesn't actually exist on the systems as a vehicle in the UK? That was a right pain for me. I am a Girl, and I don't know much. But I think a Fiat 126 is a good one to learn on. So far I have fitted new lights, a new exhaust, taken the head cylinder off and replaced the gasket whilst re-coiling manifold screw holes... attempted changing the drive shafts but decided to let a mechanic do that! etc... I know that's nothing compared to what you lot do but still. Just fitted a stereo... woo! music. And Satsuma Baked Bean is driving fine with a new battery from yesterday. You have just got to enjoy the lessons and not get upset cause as soon as you fix one thing its most likely another problem will occur within a few months. I love my car

[amybethcarr]

My god you have done all that?? I am impressed! I had to take it to the Garage this morning because I couldn't find the right cables to fit my tape player....the joy of living in a small village is that he took a look and gave me a very sweet "oh bless you" face.....great!!

I LOVE the satsuma baked bean colour, I almost bought on of those but it got sold before i could.

Great car to learn to drive in, it makes you rely less on power steering and assisted breaks, which is always a good thing. you can actually feel your car.

Also I am finding the fact that I can reach all the 4 windows whilst driving great for seeing the curb to park!!! people do look at my funny when I am wiping the windows, all 4, whilst sat at traffic lights, because I can't see a flipping thing!! when me and my spaniel are in the car it fogs up in an instant, I knew that blue cloth that came with him was used for something!