Lancia Motor Club

Well sadly the poor old Dedra hasn't had alot done to it for a fair few months, money was tight since my wife lost her job, but things have improved, so back under the Dedra i go  ;D

Quick question, (hope i describe this correctly) the metal strip that runs under the front windscreen on my Dedra is rotten in places,i'm guessing where water has collected coming off the windscreen, does anyone know is this part just bolted to the car, or is it welded on?? Ideally i'd like to replace it if i can find another one in a breakers yard, or on the net, but if its welded on i might look into repairing it.

Also, i know i asked this question before, but it was a long time ago & i can't find the answer, when the car is running engine oil seems to be coming up through where the spark plugs sit (i can almost see it bubble!), anyone any ideas on what might be the problem?

cheers guys!

One other thing, the Dedra is due a new timing belt kit, now although i know my way around an engine, i've never fitted new belts etc. before, is this a job an amature grease monkey like myself could attempt? Is there a guide to fitting new kits?

Mark,
Pleased to hear your back on course, not too many Dedras out there these days, so it would be sad to lose another one.
I'm not sure which metal strip you refer to, do you mean the chrome trim surround, if so that's replacable,  if it's painted metal I think you'll find that's part of the windsceen aperture that's a welded panel. if you take off the two plastic panels that the wiper arm bosses pass through you'll be able to see better.
Plug bubbling,-  first thing is to check the tightness of the plug, if that doesn't stop it try a new copper sealing washer, shouldn't think it will be more than that unless you're very unlucky.
Belts, I would suggest you don't try to do it yourself unless you know what you are doing, and I wouldn't just let any old garage do it either, you need someone who knows Lancia/Fiat twin cams, as you either need the special tool or someone who knows how to make one to hold the cambelt wheels.
Don't forget to change ALL the belts at the same time as it saves you having to pull the whole lot apart again later, but most important change the idler bearings (3) as well, particularly if it's been standing a while as they are prone to failure and if one siezes it will snap a belt or two, valves then touch the pistons and you've more than likely got a scrap engine.
Don't mean to put the mockers on things but it can be that serious.
I can let you have copies by email of how to, but as I said you're better off getting someone who knows what they are doing, the cambelt and the counter balancer belt need tensioning correctly, an overtight belt will whine and possibly fail fairly quickly.

Brian
8227 8)

hey ya Brian. Cheers for the reply. Its the painted metal strip under the windscreen. I've taken off the black plastic panels (at the wiper arm) & parts of the strip are badly rusted, maybe be better repairing it by welding?

I'll try the plug tightness etc, oh & i think you're right, might (when the time comes) run the car down to my local garage & get them to fit the new belts etc...I've given it some thought & although i might save a few bob initially if I get it wrong it could end in tears!

As ever Brian, thank you!

Mark,
Welding is probably the best way but the problem will be access from underneath, weldings not one of my skills, although I wish it was, so I'd get a bit of advice if I was you.
If you want the 'How to' for your garage let me know & I can send them.
Good luck,
And a Happy New Year
Brian
8227 8)

Brian, if i could get a "How To" that would be a huge help!
Happy New Year to you too.

cheer Brian, got the e-mails this morning.

Its certainly guys like you who make owners clubs what they are. Thanks again!

My Pleasure ;D

Brian
8227 8)

Hi Mark, I have the tensioner tool for the timing belt but I don't have the part for the ballance shaft tensioner. I find when they are set to the factory tensions the tend to whine . I tensioned the belts on my Thema 16v myself and there has been no problems. Mark everything up with tippex and then let the belts off . re-fit the new belts to the same tension and it should be ok. The job takes around three hours with a tea break. I know I make this this sound easy but with the manual and everything set to the marks it's not difficult. Thanks David. :)

Hi Dave, cheers for the reply. I've had a proper look through the pages Brian e-mailed to me concerning the belt change etc... & i think i'll leave it to someone with better knowledge of this sorta thing, as the more i read the more worried i get about it all going pear shaped!!!  ;D

ok, bit of an issue. last week i started the Dedra & it started, not first time but eventually it did, today-refuses to start, it'll make all the right noises but the engine just won't kick in. A couple of times it would burst into life but then after a couple of lumpy seconds it'd die. Any ideas?

I also have a very bad feeling about the engine oil being in where the spark plugs sit (in three of the four plugs)

Mark,
If there's still oil in the plug wells that certainly won't help.
Are you sure the two cam cover gaskets are not leaking as that's the usual source, or over spill from the filler cap area.
Brian
8227 8)

hi brian, the two cam cover could have perished alright, they're probably as old as the car!! Right, gotta get me two new ones then. I'll take out the plugs & give them a good clean, the plugs themselves i don't think are that old!

The gaskets at the bottom of the cam boxes were the culprits when the plug wells on my engine where filling up with oil.

i've ordered new cam cover gaskets to see if this is where the leak is coming from, plus new plugs as the old ones where soaked in oil, & a new set of HT leads as the ends of these were sitting in oil & i'd noticed someone had done a very poor repair job to one of them as it had split, hopefully after the new parts are fitted the leak will stop & she will burst into life!

Mark,
Good luck but don't overtighten the cam covers! and make sure you thouroughly clean the plug recesses out BEFORE removing the plugs, as all sorts of rubbish that you don't want dropping in the engine collect in them
Brian
8227 8)

She lives!!!the new plugs & HT leads came yesterday, so today it was out with the old & in with the new. Got into the car, was apprehensive if i'm honest, but with the turn of the key she burst into life, lovely & strong sound from the engine, not a hint of the quite awful misfire she'd been blighted with. She's not sounded better since i got her. Now she's in her new home - the new garage - bring on the restoration!! I'm absolutley chuffed!

Congratulations, hope you really enjoy the car.

Great News Mark,
I trust no oil in the plug wells either?

Brian
8227 8)

the funny thing is, i haven't changed the gaskets yet (they've not been delivered yet) but from the bit of running she did there doesn't seem to be a leak...odd.....

Now she's in the garage, had a good look at the exhaust today, & its rotten throughout, been on to ebay Germany & prices aren't as bad as i feared, even the postage costs aren't too bad!

Although sadly i'll have to wait for a few weeks before doing more work on the car as i've got an upcoming CIMA exam to look forward & i can't really study under a car!