General Thinking about buying one

[Nino_1975]

I feel for you.

My car started stalling due to dirty fuel and approaching a service.

I would suggest when fuel tank is half full, empty a bottel of fuel cleaner in it. Get the stuff that says "Cleans injectors, carbs, complete fuel system" Dilute it less than they say. Run around for 10 mins keeping the car at 3,000 revs min. Make sure your car is warm at the time of doing this. Rev the car when stationary up the hign end of the revs.

I did the above and it was fine afterwards.

How long are your daily jorneys? cars need every 2 weeks a long ish drive to burn off any excess water in the engine.

It sounds like you have a dirty system somewhere.

BP is a garage to avoid, as they had a spate of putting the wrong fuel in the wrong tanks, I filled up once at there place and my engine managment light came on, until I emptied the tank and replaced it.

Mail me any time for help ([email protected]) or PM me.

 

[barchettagirl]

HI - Thanks so much for your advice - will give that a go tomorrow - why on earth haven't they suggested this though!! Amazing!
I'm doing about 30 miles a day so I hope it's not the other problem!
I'll let you know how I get on!

 

[barchettagirl]

nino - how much do you think Optima would charge for major service (12k) - DTR charge £249

 

[Nino_1975]

Just spoken to Nick at Optima. He quoated £150. It's a punto engine and he knows it well. He has worked on mine for the past few years.

01793 840667. ask for Nick and tell him I sent you. OK you don;t get a car for the period, but if you want I can meet you, go for a coffee etc. Make it a Saturday would be best.

Mail me...

 

[barchettagirl]

Wow!!! what a difference in price! well it's not due til november - I will keep in touch and big thanks for your help - very kind

 

[Nino_1975]

Anytime, I would do this for anyone, I don;t believe in people being ripped of.

Just because we own a Barchetta does not give the right to hike the price up.

 

[barchettagirl]

morning nino - well I have tried redex - what a difference! I can't believe how good the car feels - it's so responsive and quick - the stalling problem has stopped - so i think you were right. It dropped revs this morning but no stalling - i still don't know what to do re DTR - I think the least they could have done was suggested redex - I am supposed to be taking it up to them tomorrow for them to have another look - I'm debating whether to ring them up and have a go at them or still take it - but am scared they will charge me a fortune again - and did I actually need that idel control valve in the first place!!! Can't help wondering - what would you do?

 

[barchettagirl]

really worried now - someone has just told me that too much redex and not enough fuel can damage valves - my husband bought a £5 bottle and put it in half a tank of petrol?!

 

[Nino_1975]

You will be ok. Add some more fuel if your worried.

DTR. Just tell them what you have done, I don;t think you can get anything back from them. I just would not go back. Get a service where I said.

 

[alfanige]

Redex is not going to harm the system, its not strong enough. Unfortunately it doesn't disolve the particles, but hopes they get pushed through the system eventually, so you may get a bit of rough running and a cough as it clears its throat.

If you can find a local specialist, see if you can get some Forte Gas Treatment and Injector Cleaner. This is not cheap, nor is it readily available from motor stores, but the professional's use it. We use a lot of the Diesel version and it is superb.... but the petrol one didn't cure our b though...but then again nothing short of dropping the ****ing thing out of a Hercules is going to help that IMO!

Good news on the servicing front, I had a bad experience with DTR when we first contacted them a few years ago and have never bothered going back since.

 

[Alex]

ALEX (BUY A B SOON PLEASE!!!)

My fortunes may be changing, however, I can't say anything yet. If all goes to plan I will be paying DTR a visit at the end of the month,, I may be buying myself one for my birthday next spring

Also did anybody meet up in bristol? I completely forgot about it. Perhaps another event should be organised some time?

 

[Nino_1975]

alfanige thanks for your advice, this has made my mind up about DTR. I think that DTR have the monopoly so they tend to be expensive and arrogant.

Shame as all it is is a Punto 1.8 vvc engine! Makes you mad.



ALex

No meeting in Brizol. No one intersted. + Buy a B out of the paper not DTR!

 

[Alex]

Was only going to test drive one and get a feeling for it, I can't afford DTR prices.

 

[Nino_1975]

Arrr good lad. E-bay is a cheap place to pick one up. Just know what your looking for.

 

[Alex]

maybe I shouldn't have bid on one with the title Cinquecento NOT BARCHETTA? I always thought £250 was too much of a bargain

 

[barchettagirl]

HELP!!! - ok - Redex was great for all of 2 days - now I'm stalling again with a vengeance and dropping revs - any ideas? Taking it back to DTR - as I'm hoping they can finish what they started if you see what I mean - I am worried though - hoping someone out there can put my mind at rest - all I can see is £ signs right now and the colour is draining from my face!!!

 

[Nino_1975]

I think your injectors / fuel line is getting blocked some where. Dropping of revs is only fuel or air related. Your air filter ok?

Go to halfords and buy for £5 Octaine boost and system clean, orange bottle, goes into your tank. I think the crap is being pushed round your fuel pipes. When your tank lowers in fuel the crap settles and gets pushed through. Your last service, was it a full or minor?

Tell DTR what you have tried, but I think it's a fuel issue some where. Redex just removes it, then it have to be burned of some where. DTR are just following there text book and making you pay.

Shame your not local as I would take a look and clean your filters for you.

 

[topride]

OK, IM REALLY LOST NOW, I JUST POSTED A MSG AND NOW I CANT FIND IT AND I THINK ITS ABOUT SOMETHING REALLY OLD N E WAY, SORRY, SILLY BLONDE TART I MUST B & GIRLS DO DO LHD, I DROVE MY BOYFRIENDS LHD FERRARI, THATS 1 THING THAT MADE ME GET MY BARCHETTA, AND I SAW 1 AND HAD 2 HAVE IT!!

 

[AppleSei]

Is the post you posted in the thread below called 'might be getting one' as this is thread 'thinking about buying one'??

 

[SHADWEL]

Hey I'm back! (Must remember not to hit enter this time, last message disappeared) Barchetta is just brilliant, it's a standard 55 plate car and I have no plans to do anything to it yet. (wait until the warranty ends).
I have been driving it almost continously with the top down, haven't a clue how many miles to the gallon but it's not a lot (top and foot down!)
Somebody with a shopping trolley made their mark (gone now) never left a note of course!

If this is still "Thinking of buying one" DON'T just go get one!

By the way anyone got any tips for storage over winter, I have another car and intend to cosset her from the cold and salt?