I have a 2000 Fiat Bravo 1.8 that I have had sitting about for almost 2 years needing the valves all changed, as the timing belt snapped on it when herself was driving it from work - she kept turning it over on the starter after it cut out +o(

Was just about to order a set of valves, when I came upon a head on ebay.

Immaculate off low miler etc etc - the usual BS

Arrived yesterday, cracked it opened, and it looked as if the oil had never been changed since it was built.







After some parrafin, and high pressure washing it is now at least useable

that was pretty grim, sure the head hasnt warped at all, to me it looks like the oil got pretty hot

Its perfect otherwise - even the stem seals were good, valves are all perfect and sealing perfectly, CR is also the same as it should be so it has never been skimmed (Measured with a pipette and a sheet of perspex)

It had simply never had the oil changed. Obviously was serviced by an independent specialist

mmmm sludge!  nice.

is that 1.8 any good?  The Wife is doing her driving test soon, and complains that the Veccy is "Too Big".  Where she works has a 1.4 Brava left, and she likes it, so Im considering a 1.8 Brava.

Its an old fiat, so the answer is quite simply....

No.

Quote from: soopahflyIts an old fiat, so the answer is quite simply....

No.

Smaller Fiat engines are sh*te, they seem to blow the head because you know, its been 18 months since they last blew.  However the larger ones seem to be not so bad.  Figured Mark would know as hes got one!  I did have a 900 Fiat engined Ibiza at one point, and its used to blow the head about once a year!

Quote from: Beakeris that 1.8 any good?  The Wife is doing her driving test soon, and complains that the Veccy is "Too Big".  Where she works has a 1.4 Brava left, and she likes it, so Im considering a 1.8 Brava.

Sorry, never saw this

That engine is pretty relaible, and relatively well put together. Parts are pretty cheap if you get them on ebay.

Quote from: Mark

Quote from: Beakeris that 1.8 any good?  The Wife is doing her driving test soon, and complains that the Veccy is "Too Big".  Where she works has a 1.4 Brava left, and she likes it, so Im considering a 1.8 Brava.

Sorry, never saw this

That engine is pretty relaible, and relatively well put together. Parts are pretty cheap if you get them on ebay.

Cheers, Ill add it in the list of possibles then.  I was also considering a Siecento(SP?) for her, because all she needs is a rollerscate, but they want knocking on the door of £1000 to insure one with her as main driver!  I figured Im better off buying something we can both drive, and leave it at that for a couple of years.  I walk to work, so its not like I need to bother too much!