Routine maintenance

[HBG]

Hello again.

I wonder who here maintains their Fulvia as per the manual all at once? I tend to do bits of maintenance as and when I have time, over maintaining some items whilst missing others.

I 'serviced' my Fulvia back in September but didn't do the following. Would you have done these items at service time, as per the book, occasionally or virtually never?

1. Change air filter, probably 8 or 9000 miles since last change.
2.  Brake fluid. Last changed/ bled 8 or 9000 miles ago.
3. Coolant new 8/ 9000 miles ago.
4. Starter motor. Clean commutator and check brushes.
Finally, it's been the same length of time since the valve clearances were checked.

Spring is around the corner and the car is driving nicely but with an anticipated 5000 miles in the next 12 months I want it ready.

Thanks.

[nistri]

DOT 4 brake fluid and coolant should be changed every 2 years regardless of mileage.

[Wangler]

My local tyre fitting company has a proper brake fluid tester that measures its boiling point. It usually takes quite a few years before enough water has been absorbed before it gets near the limit.

That said the cars are kept in a very dry garage.

[GlynW]

I 'serviced' my Fulvia back in September but didn't do the following. Would you have done these items at service time, as per the book, occasionally or virtually never?

1. Change air filter, probably 8 or 9000 miles since last change.
2.  Brake fluid. Last changed/ bled 8 or 9000 miles ago.
3. Coolant new 8/ 9000 miles ago.
4. Starter motor. Clean commutator and check brushes.
Finally, it's been the same length of time since the valve clearances were checked.

Glyn

I have cleaned my air filter with petrol every few years and not replaced it.  Coolant and brake fluid changes every 9000 miles or 2 years seems sensible and low cost/effort options for preventative maintenance.  I have seen brake master cylinders which contained black sludge when dismantled and water absorption by brake fluid is inevitable in the UK.  I have never checked starter or alternator brushes until there was an obvious problem (even when the Fulvia was my only car), but kept a spare alternator instead.  I do try to inspect spark plugs regularly as well.  Not on your list, so probably done on your service, was greasing all the suspension nipples and checking the steering box oil every 2 years or sooner.

Setting valve clearances and ignition/carburettor tuning can make a huge difference to driving pleasure, so should be done properly at least once so that you know how well your car can run - but otherwise I tend to leave it until you can hear valve noise or notice poor fuel consumption, plug fouling or (subjective) loss of power.

Any of these will get you under the bonnet where you have a chance of noticing and avoiding the real developing troubles!

[SanRemo78]

Not got a Fulvia but the Beta restoration continues. Regular maintenance will involve cracking each of the bleed valves to break any corrosion build up between the alloy housing and steel valves.
Guy

[HBG]

Thanks.

[Berlina2c]

The chassis has grease nipples at various points. Those would be good to attend to.

http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1328.0