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General => General discussion => Topic started by: snifferdog on 08 May 2012, 17:26

Title: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: snifferdog on 08 May 2012, 17:26
Hey all, Im currently looking to buy the new Mrs a car for around £1K.

Ive found a W plate polo sdi for £1100 locally which seems ok. Its got 106K on the clock and full mot.

Anyway, Im just asking if anyone knows of any common faults with these? Or any known troublesome issues?

I started it up just now and it seemed quite noisy but Ive never owned a diesel before and I gather they are alot more noisy than a petrol engine anyway?!! It seemed to calm down once it had run up to temperature anyway.

theres also a Fiat seicento abarth sporting which, for some reason, I really like!! :lipsrsealed: :evil:

Any ideas, tips or advice greatly appreciated. :smiley:


(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG1602.jpg)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG1603.jpg)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG1604.jpg)

(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG1608.jpg)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG1609.jpg)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i132/snifferdog18233/IMAG1611.jpg)
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: Wayne on 08 May 2012, 17:35
I would avoid both :smiley: Polo has a weak gearbox and is dead slow, the less said about Fiats the better
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: snifferdog on 08 May 2012, 17:42
Thanks Wayne.

Yeah, my ex had a polo that needed a replacement gearbox - that was bit older though, I just presumed they had sorted it out by the time these ones were out.

To be fair, I dont think I could recommend the Fiat to her, its so crap inside. :grin:
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: Bellend on 08 May 2012, 17:50
Are the 1.9 SDI boxes weak on the Polo?

The engines bombproof, dog slow (although probably quicker then the MK4 SDI) but amazing MPG and always start.

Leave the Fiat, cracking fun cars but they rust quite a bit. I'd have one personally but wouldn't reccomend one. Mate had one and it seemed to be running so perfect, so smooth then bang without warning through a rod through.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: topher on 08 May 2012, 18:36
im not aware of any issues with the SDI gearboxes. its pretty much the same setup i had in my old popemobile skoda van... i gave that thing death everywhere and never skipped a beat. 50-60mpg everywhere too.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: snifferdog on 08 May 2012, 19:10
Thanks dor the help guys. I think im gonna go and have a better look at the polo tomorrow.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 08 May 2012, 20:37
theres an abarth near were my ex lives, was pretty nice and that imo. and rapid...not sure if hed done any mods to it though cause thats the only one ive seen and never looked into what there like speed wise.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: danny_p on 08 May 2012, 21:25
SDI gearboxes do seem to made of cheese as said.

the problem with them is the bearing on the layshaft, pinion end that drives the diff   the bearing seems to wear out very quickly and colapse the gears then run all on the piss and eat themselves   bit like all 085 boxes.

best solution is at clutch change time pull the bellhouseing off and swap the bearing its piece of piss to do  all the other bearings in the box will be fine just that one that dies
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: Diamond Hell on 09 May 2012, 14:41
im not aware of any issues with the SDI gearboxes. its pretty much the same setup i had in my old popemobile skoda van... i gave that thing death everywhere and never skipped a beat. 50-60mpg everywhere too.

WRONG.

The vans and Polo saloons have the 020 gearbox.

The Polo hatch has the POS 085 gearbox.

It has LT wheelbearings on the mainshaft.

It is nasty.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: Horney on 09 May 2012, 15:06
Sciecento Sporting Abarths are a hoot. I had one which I fitted a bigger and flowed TB to and wen tlike a little rocket.  Check for rot at the rear and rear beam bushes wear out, make the rear tyres wear on the inside and are expensive to replace. Great cars though and the little 1.1 FIRE unit makes a proper Italian growl for such a small cc motor.

Nick
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: topher on 09 May 2012, 16:09
The vans and Polo saloons have the 020 gearbox.

The Polo hatch has the POS 085 gearbox.

that i didn't know.. 085 boxes are notoriously pap.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: Diamond Hell on 09 May 2012, 20:53
that i didn't know.. 085 boxes are notoriously pap.

I was not delighted to find this in a scrapyard which only had Polo saloons and Caddy vans in it a while back.  :angry:

Plus the ratios out of a petrol 085 gearbox are TOTALLY inappropriate for an SDI.  :grin:

The casting also needs bits hacked off it to fit and (obviously) the bellhousing is different.

Oh and doing anything on a 1.9D motor in a Polo engine bay is a tw*t.
Title: Re: Advice or knowledge on a Polo SDI if you will...............also Fiat content.
Post by: Diamond Hell on 10 May 2012, 20:37
look out for a 1.4tdi

you will be surprised how it goes

This.  Great motors.