Technical 1990 Uno too old to repair?

[dubman]

My sister's Uno appears to have the following problems:

1. water leak from the water pump.

2. Needs 4 new shock absorbers.

3 Hand brake almost ineffective - foot brake seems ok

I rang a fast- fit garage which quoted 300 euros just for the 4 shocks, but I suppose it may be neccessary to replace back brakes too, or at least adjust the cable for the hand brake.

So do you think it is worth repairing?
Do you think it would be better to fit the shocks myself? Are they awkard to replace? And is the water pump difficult to access?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Gav F]

leakin pumps are ok to fit
get on ebay and buy a brand new one, then buy some instant gasket stuff for a few quid, but i put it on both sides let it dry over night then bolted on the new one and works fine. also check the core plug which is near the waterpump as mine rusted through

 

[dave]

easy diy jobs them as said bits from ebay, or www.shop4parts.co.uk or even the classified section at top of the page.
that cars not dead yet

 

[jjhepburn]

One thing that really annoys me at the moment is when people get the quality of a car and its age mixed up. There is no real link between the age of a car and how good it is. Even a car with more features isn’t necessarily better.

For example we have 3 working cars at the moment (the mini 850 is in bits). Our newest car (1994 1.6ltr Punto) is the most boring, its still a good car, but its just a car and does the job just as well as my 1987 Uno which has character and is more fun to drive.

As Alex pointed out to me once, a good condition Alfa 164 is far cheaper than a newish Toyota Corolla… but which would be more enjoyable to own?

Sure older cars break down, but so do new cars. At least with old cars you can fix them yourself.

That price seems about right for the shocks, fitting them yourself is really easy, but you will need a spring compression tool.

 

[kasedie]

Guess i,ve done most of the stuff you mentioned to mine including the plug i went ahead and changed the timing belt at the same time iu did the water pump.

If thats all ur car needs then its well worth keeping

 

[Chas Uno]

As Alex pointed out to me once, a good condition Alfa 164 is far cheaper than a newish Toyota Corolla… but which would be more enjoyable to own?

That is so very true. And a Uno is just so much FUN to drive despite being an old and relatively simple design. And JJHepburn is absolutely correct on pointing out that the age of a vehicle is immaterial. What matters is the overall condition of the car, how much you like it and whether you are able to spend the money for its upkeep.

Many people also think that a newer car will be better, but a newer car will nearly always be more expensive to repair. Unless you buy a very recent car with a guarantee you WILL have to spend money on repairs and worn out parts. And I can bet you it will cost more in the long run to keep on the road than an old Uno.

Sure older cars break down, but so do new cars. At least with old cars you can fix them yourself.

Again JJHepburn hits the nail on the head. If you have some mechanical knowledge or want to learn car maintenance you can't start with much better than an old Uno. As long as the body structure is sound everything else is replaceable and on the most part cheaply too. Get yourself a Haynes manual and enjoy working on your car. For the price of one hours workshop labour in London you can buy yourself a Haynes and a basic tool kit. Two hours labour equivilent and you're on your way to a fully equipped workshop!

As for 1990 being too old to repair, you haven't seen the plans I have for my 1986 mk1 Uno! It has cost me pennies to run for four years, never left me stranded, is great fun to drive and is about to get 'breathed over'. I will be spending far more than the car is worth but that to me is irrelevant. I love the car and when I've finished with it, it will be unique as well as fully sorted and in top condition.

And even when I add up all the parts I will get for it, it will still be way cheaper than a 5 year old Corsa

 

[(CZ)enda]

1. If it is Uno with Fire engine, new water pump is some 20 - 30 EUR and can be changed in, say, 30 minutes. You will also need red silicone for sealing.

2. Rear shock absorbers are E-Z to change with basic tools, one standard Sachs shock absorber costs about 30 EUR where I live. Front shock absorbers are about 30 - 50 EUR each. If you do not have a spring compression tool, you can bring the whole old absorber/spring assembly to the workshop and have the new shock absorbers fitted without paying the workshop for the assembly removal from the car (which, again, is easy to do with the basic tools).

3. Traditional Uno pain. It may be that a good splash of a penetrating oil (I do not recommend WD40) on the pulley/cable mechanism on the rear axle will do the job. If it does not, it will be necessary to disassemble the drum brakes and clean/grease the levers moving the shoes. It should not take longer than, say, 1 - 2 hours. IIRC, new handbrake cables are about 15 - 20 EUR.

Generally, I think it is a job for one weekend afternoon.

 

[faster4_tec]

unlikely to be the cables, if it is, put some good grease down them and they'll be running smooth again, more likely just lack of use of the rear brakes.

'plus gas', is very good at releasing bolts and mechanical parts that are a bit rusty

as has been said, a newer/different car will likely end up costing you a lot more, as almost all cars have minor problems that can be costly.

if its just some shocks and a leaky pump thats nothing! just wear parts wearing out! replace em and get another 2-4years out of it :worship:

 

[PaulDrage]

Used to work for renault in the workshop, and near enough every car over 3 years (out of warranty), needed a diagnostic check, well theres an instant £65 for ya (about 80 Euros), then there would be the "oh crap another sensor is dead" well theres another £100 (125 euros), and that goes for a lot of issues, i changed a turbo last year on a renault laguna new shape, that was nearon £1000, then intercooler that burst (common fault) was about £600...
Keep_the_uno_alive

 

[dave]

 

[alexGS]

dave - what are you doing in this part of the forum anyway? Isn't the Punto section keeping you busy enough

We don't mind old threads around here...

-Alex

 

[mightysisley]

Garages... dont do it especially with an uno. Must be one of the most forgiving diy cars about. Shockers are expensive granted as are pandas as I have just found But a good trawl around ebay or the like may throw up less expensive items. They arent bad to replace though. Leaky water pump is relativly easy if you are comfortable with changing the timing belt yourself (don't be too daunted about changing the timing belt on your uno if it is fitted with the FIRE engine as if you cock up and the belt slips or snaps they dont mash the pistons and valves as a lot of other cars do) as far as ineffective hand brake goes if the shoes aren't shagged I would look towards the linkages in the drums themselves invaribly they'll be siezed, a bit of wd40 or plusgas as learned ppl have mentioned and for the more stubborn a bit of heat from a blow lamp. If they arent siezed then chances are the grooves where they engage the shoes will be worn a good cure for this i have found is to build the bottoms of the grooves up with a small spot of weld.