Found yellow 1998 20vt 61`000miles

hello ive just joined the forum as i have started to rescue a yellow 1998 coupe 20vt that has been sat for about 13 years.
i managed to get the rear brake pads out last night (solid with rust)and going to try and free off fronts later on today.
anyway just looking for info on things to look out for whilst trying to get this in running order again. going to move it a few miles down to my house. before starting should i put new oil in it etc
Pat

Hello and welcome PJ. Plenty of info here to help you.
Maybe you could start a thread in the projects area about your coupe and people can help you as you need it.
Good luck.

Good Morning, Pat - and welcome!

You should find all the info you could conceivably want here (and not just about coupés...).

You will also find a thriving Coupe scene in Scotland, so help and advice will be (relatively) close at hand.

Good luck with your restoration - there's a projects section if you want to tell us about how it's going.

Have a great weekend!

If it's been standing 13 years you will need to change *at a minimum*

- all fluids (coolant, oil, brake - you might get away without changing the gearbox fluid in the short term)
- cam and auxiliary belts
- brake pads and discs
- tyres (irrespective of tread depth)

You should inspect carefully and change if required

- brake pipes
- flexible brake pipes
- exhaust

And check everywhere for rust, but particularly the underside close to the back seat, the boot, and the bottoms of the front wheel arches.

Don't even try to start the engine; turn it over only by hand to make sure the bores are free and then change the belts.

I'm not trying to scare you off here - but I'd rather see you frightened than being pulled from a wreck.

p.s. welcome to the forum!

As usual, Joe has beaten me to it!

Hi welcome... and all the best with your new project

Hi and welcome Pat

Very unusual to find such a low mileage coupe - was it local? Garaged?

I'm afraid what Barnacle said is true, extensive though it sounds, but with coupe-lerv and endless patience, not forgetting the acceptance of having to fling some hard-earned at it, you should get all the fun out of it you've always hankered after

Odd that mine is parked up perhaps only within spitting distance of you right now as I'm in Telford, but back in the hive tonight

Fire up your questions on here and the local lads will do what they can to point you in the right direction for garages, parts, specialists etc., perhaps even save you a bob or two

thanks for all the info and replies. im getting the car for free so im not too bothered about spending a few quid on it
owner has said that the engine was turning over a few years ago when it was last tried.Has been lying in a garden for years after it was parked up by this guys son who had just been given a porsche by his dad. They seem pretty flush. Just stopped off to ask after I've been looking at it for last 9 years just insight through a bush. Supposedly it ran fine but just neglected after said porsche was given.
[IMG]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...ku2dj.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...mkd1g.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...sfw9f.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...vdfhz.jpg[/IMG]

this is how its been lying since 2003ish
[IMG]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/...dkq7k.jpg[/IMG]

Hi there, I am in the same boat having found a "T" plated 20v coupe which had sat since 2001
Advise given is spot on.
I have slowly been checking my "rescue" out and one thing I did do was take all the spark plugs out and then tipped some diesel / parafin mix down the bores.
You can use flushing oil or similar.
As the engine hadn't been turned for many a year I was worried that the pistons might of been stuck.
Left it for a while and then turned the engine over by hand, seems alright - next job is to get it in the garage and really start working on it rather than "tinkering".....

If this is where it's been sitting since 2003, then it's been reasonably protected from the weather.

Trying to tow from rear. Best place?

Welcome, nice find and a great colour

It's ok I found it

Did you find the tow eye in boot?

Nah I found a big loop thing under the rear bumper just to the right. Not been towed yet
But hoping to have the car moved within the next few days

Sorted your pics Pat - the links weren't working for me anyway.
Next time click Direct link next to your photobucket pic then copy it into the blue rectangular screen (having clicked on it) 4th from the left above the reply box

why would someone let a nice car like that site around for 13 years doing nothing. What a shame.

Pj.M you have PM.

Think you will find that this loop is a "tie-down" point and not a towing eye. In the tool roll, (if it is still with the car), you should find a towing eye which will screw in above the "loop" you mention. Just open the flap in the skirt and all will be revealed.
The front one screws in on the same side, through the outside slot below the "bumper".

As Possum says don't use that as it it wont end well. If there is no tow eye in the boot I'll lend you one. If there is - stick a bit grease on the end and open the hatch in the bumper and you will see the thread you screw it on to. if you are turning it round to tow it and not winching it straight back on to a truck ; Then there is one in the front also, accessible through the front lip.

Are you towing or trucking it ?

Thanks guys I didn't see a toolkit in the boot anywhere but I will have a better look when I'm back up.
Lego it's getting trucked down to my house but was just going to pull the car out of its position that it's in just now.

I have been up and freed all the brakes off but I noticed that the front wheels were still quite stiff to turn so I wasn't sure if that was something to do with the gearbox oil or just having 1 front wheel off the ground at a time

Lift out the spacesaver spare to see if the tool kit is lurking under there.

Does it have "locking" wheel bolts? The "special socket" to remove them may also be in the wheel well.

Yeah I found the locking wheel nuts lying beside the spacesaver, will check under it later on

If you can wait that long we'll bring a towing eye later this week

If you're there again remove aforementioned towing eye blanking plate in rear bumper and lubricate the thread

You might find the jack under the spacesaver too...

still trying to work out how to get pics on here

Upload them to your Photobucket, choose the Direct link to your photo and copy it, open the blue rectangular box above your Reply screen on here, paste in the copied link. It'll come up sandwiched between 'imgpops' in square brackets. Preview your post to make sure it works.

Try 'Quote' on a post which has a photo in, you'll see....

Another FIAT that has been sitting since 2009 I am planning to rescue if the guy can find the keys or split as it is pretty far gone lol

Wow!

Looks like it's had a good few slugs and snails crawling over it judging by the trails.

Hoping all the green mould and slime have protected the paint lol

Good luck with the clean-up.

Have a friend who owns a '94 Broom Yellow Punto Cabrio, which was one of 2 in New Zealand and we think it is now the only one in Australia. Have enjoyed driving it.

Phew! Where do you start!

Inside, out with the seats and centre console then whip the carpet out. Shame about the seats too, as they're the rarer cloth design. Did you get any joy from patch's seat sale?

The wheel arches one can see in the photos don't look too bad actually, but then I haven't seen it close up - yet!

A good hose down to begin with will quickly make your heart warm to it though

Maybe a local team representing "How clean is your Coupe" needs to appear armed with buckets and spades brushes

Wow wheeeee! Fantastic project. This will be the turnaround of all turnarounds. Good luck with it and start a project please!!!

Fantastic

Hey-

That Punto cab looks terrific!

Bertone bodywork- what a find!

I do love the Punto cabs but I think this one is pretty far gone, which is a total shame.

A long time ago,

In a galaxy far, far away....

And what is it like internally?

The boot & toolkit reveal the truth...!

The boot looks good. Hope the towing eye was in the tool roll.

Certainly looks much better after a "tub".

Now the fun starts with cleaning the inside and doing all the necessaries to the engine before firing it up, then the brakes, to ensure it will stop when you take it on its first outing. Hope the electrics are all OK after sitting in the open for so long.

Looks like it is well worth "saving".

links done..

Too slow...

Ta....called to work suddenly!

Oh! Thankyou Barnacle

I don't know what was going on there..

Yes I do- I never did the imgpop thing did I?

What a fool...

More sleep required...

Thanks for your help

Are the headlights in really good condition or do they just look like that in the photo?

Believe me, when we'd finished rinsing them off, they are really that good, it's sickening!

If the rest of the car is like that it'll be an awesome purchase!

Put the battery from my celica in the car and these are all the lights that came on. Does this all look ok?
A yellow one kept turning off really quickly and I think it said code.
Some of the wires under the bonnet look to have been nibbled at but I forgot to take a picture

Injector light is on for some reason, code reader will confirm what that issue is.
Air bag will need resetting and the ABS will probably go off the first time it's test driven.

Some wiring looks to have been chewed and the wires seem to head over that way.
Actually most of these lights turned off after a few seconds but I was daft enough not to take a pic then

If the injector and code light come on and go off you're half way there

Chewed wires, ie rodent chewed can be repaired so I'd get those insulated before you do start thinking about cranking the engine, we don't want any electrical fires.

If the injector and code light come on and go off you're half way there

Chewed wires, ie rodent chewed can be repaired so I'd get those insulated before you do start thinking about cranking the engine, we don't want any electrical fires.

Yep but he doesn't want to be thinking about cranking the engine after it's been silent for 13 years......the aux belt is about to give, the fuel is ancient, the oil..etc etc


Edit: Is that the oil warning light? Doesn't seem to be much fuel in actually (if the sender is working properly) - would the tank need to be drained anyway?

The tank will need to be drained yes- I discussed this through PM with PJ actually

I'm sure that's been thought about already

http://www.mclennansgarage.com/ Stewart Maclennan is your man to get you Coupe up and running. He is just down the road in Loanhead. He is an Alfa and Fiat specialist and knows Coupes. Had mine there in the past.

Was just trying to recall his name and location tonight
Got there in the end with a little help

Tempted to try him out myself as much as I'm happy with Falkirk it's a bit of a pain to get to.

No real update with the car apart from that it's away to a garage to find out how much it will cost to get it road ready.

Previous owners father called me on Thursday to let me know that he had found some ppaperwork for the car, so this is what he had found.

Hey- that's great news PJ

At least you'll have something to work towards-

That paperwork is another originality-shock! Everything you would have hoped to have got when the car was new, I think..?

Where abouts has the car gone to?

Let us know if you need anything...

The car has went whitemoss garage in West Linton, not heard anything back yet but he is going to have a look in his spare time.
To be quite honest the way things are just now I might have to sell it! So someone might get an original and rust free coop

Nooo!

Keep us posted though with its progress at Whitemoss, are they known for Italian cars?

Has it had a chance to dry out inside and get freshened up?

Had a bit good news! After 13 years lying dormant, apart from the engine belts, to be road worthy it only needs the Nsr brake pipe done (the rest are still the originals) and 2 tyres!!! Probably more once running but it seems a very cheap/good start!

If anybody can help by donating parts that will probably be needed that will be very very special to me & the Broomstick!:).

You have probably thought of this, but I would also change the water pump when the belts are being changed. After 13 years sitting, the seals in the pump would be knackered.

You should also consider changing all the oil seals on the front of the engine whilst the belts are off.

That's great news PJ

Any further movement? Is the car still with Whitemoss?

Little bit of news😮!!!
I spoke to Mclennans Garage in Loanhead and they can do the belts for... £700.

My mate at Whitemoss garage is looking to do belts/ waterpump / front + rear discs-pads /full service Inc gearbox oil + checking the clutch + quite a bit of other stuff for about £1000. + will be MOT'd Does that sound a bit better?



The thing with Mclennans is he is a specialist in Italian cars. So that would be better engine wise. Also will get warranty.

All I know is that I live in the midlands and JBT did my belts for I think £350-400? Knows everything there is that you need to know about coupes too! I know there are other coupe specialists that get the job done for a similar rate too. £700 is rather dear, getting towards fiat engine out money.

The second rate with the other work sounds much better to me!

No that's a fair price Pat for up here and you're right they're specialists who know the job - especially important when you're restoring a real rarity that you're lucky enough to own.

Make sure it's ALL belts and tensioners + waterpump...but they "ought" to know.

Not to decry your mate at Whitemoss in the slightest but my guess is it's a while since he worked on one of these?

@Jalo, yes JBT and one or two others do these like goosesh1t slips off a tin horn, it's amazing money but not experienced up here! Pj would have to cover tow transport costs all that distance too.

Pat, great news, keep us posted - try and get McLennan's involved in the preps for starting her up too while she's there!

Hey Pat, any news?

You should get the CHOD done while you're at it (coolant hose of death, runs from rear lhs of block around the back up to the thermostat)

700 is a rip off, other much better value

Not in this part of the world it isn't.

A more regular quote is £1000 plus engine out.

I think a recent poll revealed less than 20 Coupés in Scotland. Garages aren't exactly making a specialism of this kind of work...

Right folks things stalled with the Coop for a while but after speaking to Simon I think the plan will be to send the car down south and have it looked at by the pros and get the belts done at the same time

Yep good choice, give him a ring first to establish contact

Well done PJ-

This sounds like a great plan...

Forgot to say that whilst the car was at Whitemoss garage they did have the engine running, if only for a minute
Needs an alternator though as the old one is seized.

Still trying to work out costs
Ashbrook Motors in leith have quoted me £700 odd for belts + water pump
Seems not too bad and would save me 300 sending my car down south

So you've factored in the difference between having belts done at a specialist and at Ashbrook, and the tow charges to each place......

You'd need to ask yourself, will the local garage be able to spot everything that the coupe should have checked after nearly 14 years of not running, ie degradation of rubber parts, seals, hoses, brakelines...the list goes on.

With all due respect to the above place, it doesn't even advertise itself as a Fiat specialist, in fact it's a German car specialist

In the long term, if your broomy is going to need replacement parts every so often there'll be time spent getting it to and from the garage, waiting for parts, courier costs on top....it'll soon mount up.

I think it works out about £850 for transport and the same work getting done at joes which would probably be better as you say he will know what parts go wrong etc
I know joes is the best bet but I just keep trying to figure out ways to make it cheaper ha ha
Never even checked on the garage as the guy I spoke to says he has only used them for his alfa
I just think what parts could that £300 transport cost pay for? (Probably not much)

I have no idea who Ashbrook Motors in Leith are, but other than sending your Coupe south for the Belts etc to be done. Have you considered Continental in Port Glasgow or CM Garage in East Kilbride, both places highly clued up with Coupe's.

I used Continental in 2016 for my full belts and w/p change. Even got a lift in a Evo Integrale to the train station and pick up later when all was done.

Can't you just hire a trailor or a transporter just for the day and run it down south in a day.

Cars is off to Joes

Brilliant!

Get Joe to mot it, fly down to collect it and have an epic journey home. (Is that the plan anyway)?

I have spoke to Joe

Good man

Who picked it up in the end?


Now to speak to someone about a particular flavour of hat

What do you mean?? Why ?

Anybody needing an engine with under 61'000miles? Hahaha

Well considering its history you're bound to have corrosion issues and perished rubbers but it's fixable AFAIK.

I've got a spare cat back exhaust sitting under the piano you could have

Sorry that this hasn't worked out for you, PJ. You must be really fed up.
Hope you get a quick sale in Gumtree.

I think Solo Italia only charge £300 for belts.

Very reasonable!

But I think with the cumulative issues- it's a bridge too far, for Pat...

What happened? Were you hit with the possible large ££ to get her into shape?

Unfortunately Pat's budget wouldn't stretch far enough to sort all the issues making this a solid reliable Coupé.

That is a shame.

I have stayed on top of the maintenance-bodywork and mechanical for the last 13 years, couple of weeks ago had the floorplan re-treated it was in very good condition but the underseal is 20 years old so was starting to get patchy, os boot rust issue (just had a brown line on the joint) but once the liners were completely off the rust was cut out, welded etc and repainted and the two front sill sections by the front wheels restored to their glory, all was not noticeable from the a cursory look underneath.....should keep her on the road for a few more years and also stop a mega bill.

Some Coupe's appear mint/well maintained on the exterior but as your Facebook pages show a host of issues seem lurk in the shadow as they get into their twilight years. I think we may have another cull in the next 18 months as long-term owners start looking at big $$$'s to keep their Coupe's and decide that it is not economically viable for them.

Yes it is a shame for sure as it means we're loosing another Coupé, yes it can be restored but it needs a good budget to bring it back as a solid reliable vehicle, Pat hasn't got this so it has to be what it is so he can cover his costs.

Photobucket file on Pat's Coupe.

Spare wheel looks mint! Coupes certainly don't appear to hold up to off=road outdoor storage.

It is....

Omg where would you start....if only we'd realised....

Joe, If it is going to be scrapped, any chance of getting the bits off it that I have emailed you about, and still awaiting a reply?

Possum, hang on a tad, it's already been shipped back to Scotland.....

Also there's a small chance it might be taken on as a project......

Thanks for info.

Hope it is taken on as a project as we want to keep them on the road.

I'm just after the removable panel in the OS wheel arch which covers the crank pulley etc and a red hazard flasher switch. Of course, these are different to those in the 20V.