Technical Parts/Engine ID headache.

[wozwozza]

Hi peeps.

So i saw a Seicento 1.1 SX on ebay with a head gasket gone. So i bought it.

Now the VIN no Starts with ZFA187 - So this confirms its an MPI.

So why then are there so many choices for things like gasket kits, water pumps, even oil filters?

Is there a sure fire method of identifying my engine so i know im ordering the right stuff from ECP and ebay etc?

Only have the weekends to do the work so i have to make sure the parts i get in the week are right or its a right pain in the neck.

 

[lukmek]

Use Fiat Eper with the full VIN number and you should get the right parts

 

[DRSIK]

I cant get E-per to work ATM.

Anyone else having problems ??

 

[Eklipze3k]

ePer can only accept a certain number of connections, once that limit is reached (and with public access that happens allll the time) people start getting kicked off and then can't get back on. Do a google search for ePer, there are other sites hosting more up to date versions which don't seem to get hammered as much as ours.

 

[wozwozza]

I always like to update!

So, i did the head gasket, with brew breaks, 2 meat and spud pies, and a parts runs it took me about 7 hours.

I went smoothly really with a couple of minor exceptions.

The oil filter i was supplied was wrong, so i had to search for somewhere on a Saturday that had one, so i found a comline one for 8.99! (considering the QH filter was £2.39 i was a bit miffed)

Took the thermostat off and it was clear it was majorly rusty and passed it.... So a parts run to ECP and 7 quid down i got a new one. (clearly aftermarket as lighter and flimsier but did the job).

But the major thing was the gasket kit was wrong. Had no inlet seals instead had what looked like a metal inlet gasket which was wrong. So i reused old seals with the help of some instant gasket. The head gasket was right, and the exhaust gaskets so wasnt a total loss and at £15.99 (BGAutomotive) it was cheaper than just the head gasket alone on ECP, so not bad really.

So my worst nightmare did happen, in a way, that i got bloody wrong parts, and id love to know the differences! But in the end it wasnt as bad as i thought it could end up being.

 

[Ralf S.]

Oil filters I wouldn't overly worry.. Titch, the Younger Mrs S's Cinquencento has had various filters over the years and each brand is a different size to the Fiat one. As long as the face fits, then it'll likely be okay.

There's no reason I can think of why a filter by Mann or Bosch is a few mm or even a cm taller than one made by Mahle etc. I can only imagine the manufacturers want to save money by using common filter bodies.


Ralf S.

 

[dx90]

If you ever want original parts I use these http://stores.ebay.co.uk/desiragroup/

https://www.desiragroup.com/parts/