Not sure if this should be in Technical but here goes anyway. Mother in law has an old Uno - C prefix reg (1983?) with (I think) the 999cc Fire engine. She does very few miles in it , once or twice a week to shops and visits to her brother etc, maybe 20 miles per week. Up til now she has been able to buy LRP locally to her (Wirral) but the source has now stopped stocking it and she can't find anywhere else within reach. I have said that she should be able to buy Castrol or some other lead replacement additive from Halfords (though I am not sure) and add that to her petrol at each (rare) fill up but the thoughts occurs that
a) I am not sure that the engine requires LRP petrol - though I presume it does (Google has not helped with a definitive answer)
b) would much damage be done to the valve seats at the mileage she does or would the exclusively short journeys make the problem worse? Would pinking be really noticeable and cause further probs?
The last thing she needs is the expense of having to get a "new" car - she is getting on a bit (!) and for the mileage she does would not be warranted, while at the same time the loss of her car would be hard felt. Lugging shopping on and off buses wopuld not do her much good at her age.
By the way, the Uno has served her faithfully for about 12 years, never failed to start and passes its MOT each year with only minor costs. Maybe something to do with the fact that after every use she garages it, covers it with blankets and tucks it in until needed for next weeks shopping!
Thanks in advance for any advice
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Phil
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Hi Phil,
I had a Panda withthe same engine and it was ok on unleaded (confirmed by a list of cars I got from a filling station - forget which, this was a long time ago!) In fact it didn't like 4*, which made it difficult to start when hot.
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Believe FIRE type not introduced until 84/85. What colour and shape is the air cleaner box and is it plastic or metal. The vehicles V5 will confirm the cc and model details.
Rgds.
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I had a '92 Uno from new with the 999 cc FIRE engine, and it ran quite happily on unleaded. Not sure if how many changes there where between '84 and '92 though?? The earlier Uno I had, as a student, was an '84 55 Super (!?!), but that had the old FIAT 1116 cc engine, wich I *think* ran OK on unleaded (in '89/90), but couldn't say for sure...
Peter
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To answer this with accuracy you need the model, engine code and year. But in general if this is a 1985 C-reg it will be OK on unleaded if a basic 45 model with the 146A.000 engine. However if a 55, 60 or 70 model... or a Fire engine of that age then it was designed for leaded.
M.M
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The FIRE type engine was designed from the outset to be able to run on unleaded, this was one of the main design criteria. However, the 903 pushrod engined Unos were also classed as a 45bhp model, which is why it is important to clarify the question here. This is why I asked about the aircleaner. Again, all the details required should be found on the vehicles V5.
Rgds.
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Drove a 90 FIRE Uno for about 6k miles on UL very happily. Heater controls packed up, but the engine was fine.
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I have no axe to grind with this but my comments above were based on a trade source in my bookshelf. Could be wrong I know but it quite clearly states the Fire engines before a certain chassis no are not suitable for unlead. I have a feeling that these chassis number changes equate to around 1988.
Says the same applies to the early 1000cc Pandas which I assume had the Fire too?
M.M
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Thanks to all of you for the replies. I will check with MiL next time we are on the phone to her and post the model, engine number etc.
Her remaining half tank of LRP should last some time!!
As usual HJ contributors are much better than Google!
Thanks again and (if it's not too late) a Happy and prosperous New Year to one and all.
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Phil
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I bought a 903cc Uno Formula new in 1988, the service department told me that it would run on unleaded, "just don't push it too hard" was their advice.
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No problem MM, there has always been confusion over this question, even amongst Fiat dealers and mechanics. We still need to know more details from the OP.
Rgds.
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Petel, Does it make any difference that originally I said it was C reg (1983) whereas C-reg is '85 isn't it?
Thanks for help
Will get exact details and post in next couple of days. (We live 120 miles away from her so can't just nip round and get them)
Cheers
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Phil
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If it will help, send me an E-mail with the cars VIN number to SG-CVT3@uwclub.net, I can then get the vehicles details from the IPC.
Rgds.
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You might get some joy asking the Q on www.fiatforum.com - it's mostly populated by Punto pimpers, but there's one or two who know their stuff.
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According to the Haynes book for the UNO unleaded is OK in engines with serial numbers starting:
903cc
146A.000
146A.046
146A.048
999cc
156A2.00
For what it's worth, with low mileage and gentle use it's no problem anyway (as indicated above).
I think that a 1985-1986 "C" plate coincides with the introduction of the 999 FIRE engine, but both engines were used then, and both badged as "45's".
As far as I can remember the last of the 903's were 3 door versions vwere also badged "Formula".
The very early Panda "FIRE" engines need a higher octane (98) as they ran a compression of 9.8 to 1.
As unleaded was 95 octane only in those days you were stuck with leaded, but not because the valve seats needed it.
The later (Panda) 999 FIRE engines had a reduced compression of 9.5 to 1, but would still "pink" like ____ if the timing wasn't spot on.
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Update on this question.
VIN no. is apparently AC 3277114 and engine number is 005894
MIL couldn't find anything on V5 beginning with 146A or 156A2
Thanks for help.
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Phil
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The numbers don't look right to me - I think the VIN aught to start ZFA.
Get her to look under the bonnet.
There should be a plate showing several sets of information visible to the left of the bonnet catch mechanism.
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Thanks for your help on this question John. I e-mailed PeteL (see above) with the numbers and he managed to find them on Fiat technical documents. For info I quote
"the vehicle falls into Fiats " Amber " category, which is covered by the following, taken direct from Fiat Technical Department documents.
Quote,
Vehicles designed to run on 4-star leaded petrol but which can operate on unleaded petrol provided that rapid acceleration and constant high speeds are avoided.
Re-tuning to allow full conversion to the use of unleaded petrol is NOT possible and failure to observe the limitations on use as stated above, could result in engine damage.
Un quote.
Thanks again for your input and effort on behalf of MiL
Best wishes
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Phil
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I chipped in earlier as I though the question was still unresolved.
I should have realised Pete would have the answer for you.
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John,
Sorry that I didn't post that Pete had solved it - in replying to him by e-mail I forgot to post on here that Q had been solved.
thanks again for input
Regards
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Phil
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