Popabella - Just can't sell it.

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Sat Apr 24, 2021 4:11 pm

So on the first test drive it decided to burst my bubble. When the car is warmed up it won't idle without throwing a "low oil pressure" warning.

Was hoping that perhaps that was because the oil pressure switch was faulty, or not plugged in. However I checked it was plugged in, and then I swapped it for the switch from the other block.

For future reference this requires a 26mm wrench. It's also easier if you move the crankshaft sensor out of the way (secured with a 10mm bolt). Pro tips: oil will come out faster than you expect; have something ready to catch oil; don't use your head to catch the oil; have the replacement switch handy to put back in the hole and stop the oil.

After cleaning up the mess I went for another drive but the problem persisted. Sad, but on the plus side I now own a 26mm wrench. Next I'll try to mechanically measure the oil pressure at idle to see if I can figure out if it's a signal error or a mechanical issue. Don't really want to swap the engine again as much fun as it was......
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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MadFiat
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by MadFiat » Sun Apr 25, 2021 10:16 am

:(
2015 Rosso Abarth 5MT - MAD FIAT - EC Phase 2 + Supporting Mods
2015 Granito Lucente 500T 6AT - Projecto Estupido
2017 Fiat 124 Spider 6MT - Another one???

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Sat May 08, 2021 8:58 pm

So I hooked up the oil pressure gauge. I got this kit from Amazon as I wasn't sure what size the thread for the oil pressure switch was, and I couldn't find it documented anywhere.
Gauge
Gauge
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https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1

Easy enough to hook up. It used adapter number 8, but since there are no instructions with the gauge I still don't know what size that actually is.
The included elbow made it much easier to install as well.
Plugged in
Plugged in
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Then before I started the car my eye caught the coolant reservoir, which was empty.
No coolant here
No coolant here
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I checked the oil level and it was way over filled, which is odd considering oil leaked out while changing the pressure switch.

Was thinking that perhaps the head gasket is toast, but wondering if the oil cooler gasket is damaged. Perhaps related to the bent coolant hard lines. Going to try switching out the oil cooler and gasket next. Really don't want to change the engine again.
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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MadFiat
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by MadFiat » Sun May 09, 2021 2:31 pm

I'm leaning to oil cooler, as it could easily have been bumped during removal/handling/installation in a way that may have damaged the seal?
2015 Rosso Abarth 5MT - MAD FIAT - EC Phase 2 + Supporting Mods
2015 Granito Lucente 500T 6AT - Projecto Estupido
2017 Fiat 124 Spider 6MT - Another one???

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Mon Jun 07, 2021 9:56 am

So the gasket at the coolant/oil interface is not considered a serviceable part by FPT on the non-turbo multi-air (it is on the Turbo multi-air). Instead the recommendation is to replace the whole assembly.

I thought about pulling off the oil cooler/filler assembly from the old block, but it's quite a bit of work to replace. There are only three bolts and two return lines to it, but you first have to remove the maniverter, which means removing the radiator.....

So I decided to do this properly and bought a new one. It came with a nice dent so I'll be asking for a replacement today :(
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In the interim I practiced removing the assembly on the old block and it's easy enough if (once everything is out of the way.
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Last edited by texanbrit on Mon Jun 07, 2021 9:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:17 pm

Here we go again!!!!

So lesson learned from prior effort: I closed the drain plug on the radiator when it was drained so I wouldn't be surprised by a pool of coolant when I tried to refill it.

Lesson not learned: Wear gloves. Hands covered in new nicks and cuts.

Only surprise so far was the coolant hitting the radiator support as it drained out (not sure why there are always things in the way when draining fluids). It ran down the radiator support and made an extra puddle on the passenger side. Had me worried and puzzled for a minute.
Drip!!!
Drip!!!
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Hopefully maniverter and oil housing off next weekend. Although the weather is already disturbingly hot.
Radiator off
Radiator off
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I read through the warranty paperwork and for the warranty to apply I would need to replace the front and rear seals, remove the oil pan and clean the pickup. So if this doesn't work it would be an engine rebuild. This has to work.......
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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MadFiat
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by MadFiat » Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:59 am

Used engine warranties usually are that terrible - they basically act like you paid for a rebuildable core even if the engine was described as in running condition. They expect you to go through and change all the seals/gaskets, basically do a full rebuild. Bro, if I wanted to do a full rebuild, i wouldn't have bought an engine from your sorry ass....

/rant off
2015 Rosso Abarth 5MT - MAD FIAT - EC Phase 2 + Supporting Mods
2015 Granito Lucente 500T 6AT - Projecto Estupido
2017 Fiat 124 Spider 6MT - Another one???

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:46 am

MadFiat wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:59 am Used engine warranties usually are that terrible - they basically act like you paid for a rebuildable core even if the engine was described as in running condition. They expect you to go through and change all the seals/gaskets, basically do a full rebuild. Bro, if I wanted to do a full rebuild, i wouldn't have bought an engine from your sorry ass....

/rant off
I'm trying to view it as still cheaper than the $4-5k for brand new engine, and the $1500 comes with a "risk of more work required". It seems in the vast majority of cases the new engine is just fine, I just got unlucky.
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:53 am

I also learned to tag the O2 sensors so you know which is the upper and which is the lower. Didn't do that last time but guessed correctly.
2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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texanbrit
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Re: Popabella - Just can't sell it.

Post by texanbrit » Sat Jun 19, 2021 2:08 pm

Apart from some insect company nothing exciting with the swap so far. The alldata instructions suggested taking off the radiator support, but that doesn’t seem to be necessary. Once the radiator is out of the way there is plenty of room.
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I got half way before I ran out of time. Found that it was easiest to position the housing with the 15mm bolts and then insert the 19mm lateral bolt.
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2013 Abarth 500c (NGen Turbo'd) - Isabella
2012 500 Pop (broken, engine rebuild on hold) - Popabella
2014 500L (Daily workhorse) - The Hulk
2013 Abarth 500 (broken engine, current project) - Abby

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