Would you walk away?

Settleddown

Settleddown

Settleddown

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Hi I have the opportunity to buy a cheap Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, I have being looking for one for a while, but I have a normal everyday car so see this as a projectish?

Basically the seller has told me ; Blue and white smoke on startup, this last for around 3 mins until it gets warm, 99% sure its a turbo oil seal.

The above is the issue, does this seem major and is the turbo on the way out? If it is only the oil seal is this a big job £££??

Thanks :)
 
Buy it if you don't mind possibly having to fix everything, don't buy it if you are looking for a bargain and hoping its just an oil seal.
 
How much is the car selling for and do you have a contingency for repairs?

Awesome cars - if you can find a good one. Personally, I'd probably walk away.
 
Pretty sure Dogbreath said this car is a nightmare to work on. I don't know where the turbo is located on these but given it's italian, I'm guessing somewhere near the bulkhead where it's near impossible to get to the turbo without removing lots and lots of stuff...
 
Well it’s a nice example and no shed, can probably get it for around £700-£800. I have a bit of money if it turns out to be a turbo, but I’m hoping it’s just the seals, how could you tell if its one or the other? I guess its just luck?

Thanks :) Ohhh there awesome cars :D Excellent value for money these.
 
Hmmmm I thought it maybe, I guess I will see it may well be less. If it does turn out to be a turbo how much of a big job is it and what costs are involved? My dads side run a indy so I can put the work through them at cheap labour but I would have to pay for the turbo and any parts needed.

Maybe I’m throwing my self in the deep end but hey that’s the point in life to learn.
 
If you really, really love these cars and have a lot of time/money then go for it, just make sure it doens't end up sitting on your drive this time next year still not fixed.
It does sound like the turbo- is it using coolant and oil? The smell of a blown turbo is very distinctive.
Ask the owner as much as you can about the failure.
If it is the turbo seals you can't replace them youself, you send the turbo away for reconditioning or buy a new one, I'm not sure on that particular car, but expect around £600 ish.
I did hear that the engine has to be removed to fit a new timing belt so God know's what you need to remove to fit a turbo.
Good luck!
 
Jamous said:
If you really, really love these cars and have a lot of time/money then go for it, just make sure it doens't end up sitting on your drive this time next year still not fixed.
It does sound like the turbo- is it using coolant and oil? The smell of a blown turbo is very distinctive.
Ask the owner as much as you can about the failure.
If it is the turbo seals you can't replace them youself, you send the turbo away for reconditioning or buy a new one, I'm not sure on that particular car, but expect around £600 ish.
I did hear that the engine has to be removed to fit a new timing belt so God know's what you need to remove to fit a turbo.
Good luck!
Click to expand...

have a look on fccuk.org :)
 
The turbo isn't actually an engine out job (nether is the cam belt with a few tricks). But this won't be the only thing that needs repairing.
 
Well I got it for £500, not bad for a mint coupe, the only issue is the turbo.

Now insurance is proving to be a major pain :( I need temp insurance just to get it home however none let me due to it being over group 18? Hmmmmmmmmmm......
 
I'd budget £600 for turbo recon.

You could pick up a used one (try http://fiatcoupespecialist.com/) if he has one, I doubt he'd guarantee it doesn't smoke though. He'll do you a recon'd turbo for £610.

Recon isn't a bad thing, the important bits should all get replaced.

Does it look like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdfpzRiHrJk ?

Oh, and checking fccuk.org.uk is a wise move if your serious about buying one. Check your oil.

Oh btw I'd be more concerned why the person isn't fixing the turbo, it's only £600. If he can't afford £600 what other servicing hasn't he been doing - check that history. Even then some can use oil - does he have an oil topup can in the boot?
 
Telescopi said:
I'd budget £600 for turbo recon.

You could pick up a used one (try http://fiatcoupespecialist.com/) if he has one, I doubt he'd guarantee it doesn't smoke though. He'll do you a recon'd turbo for £610.

Recon isn't a bad thing, the important bits should all get replaced.

Does it look like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdfpzRiHrJk ?

Oh, and checking fccuk.org.uk is a wise move if your serious about buying one. Check your oil.

Oh btw I'd be more concerned why the person isn't fixing the turbo, it's only £600. If he can't afford £600 what other servicing hasn't he been doing - check that history. Even then some can use oil - does he have an oil topup can in the boot?
Click to expand...

Hi :)

Thanks for the video it is exactly this but less smoke, that ones seems worse than the one I have bought.

Well he is a builder and lost his job so cant afford to run the car or replace the turbo, it has a brand new clutch and powerflow stainless exhaust, new pads and disks all changed in January, seems a genuine reason for sale to me.

Any other advice would be great!
 
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