Models|
History |
Blog|
Service|
Contact|
Shop |
Private Ads |
From the Sump:( Oct. · Nov. · Dez. · Jan. · Feb. · Mar. · Apr. · Jun. ) Reflections on Lancia in ( 2013 · 2014 ) Fulvia GTE mysteries · The Gamma ) |
|
Custodians of the proud Lancia legacy of T.A.K, Viglietti Motors and PW Immelman. Visitors online: 298
|
From: Lancia Auto ® Sales Sent: 01 January 2014 04:21 PM Subject: Reflections on Cape Town Lancias in 2013 Dear South African Lancia Driver
current, former and
future
It has become a
habit to write regular musings by various other players in the Lancia field, so
instead of the usual Christmas wishes let me write a few words as
well.
What comes across as
most remarkable for last year is our surprising rise in workshop
activities.
Never before have
more cars been towed into our workshop ( often from other garages ) and
luckily
left on their own devices:)
I meant to send this
last year, but only managed to finalized the story today.
Here are
the Stories:
( a note to the
owners of the cars mentioned: If you could please provide a picture of your
actual car )
Lancia Fulvia
Rally 1.3 S
Truly the most
expensive disaster. The car was extensively rebuild by a high class panel shop
in Gauteng, and re-assembled by Tony Seiler in impeccable
fashion.
However then the car
moved to the Cape and in the last 5 year the car was handed from one mechanic in
Capetown to the next, in a steady decline. Despite being kept meticulously clean
by the accountant of the old Cape Lancia Club the car suffered eventually from
complete system failure and was towed in to us.
It was so badly
damaged, that it needed carburettors, distributor, starter and an overall
investment of 20k to get it back going again.
It has eventually
found a new home, and we sincerely hope it will have a better
life.
Lancia
Fulvia Rally 1.3 S
Another sad case of a Lancia, this time with the engine in the boot (
which sadly is a much too common occurrence ).
It was again an
import from Gauteng where it was totally stripped, painted in metallic green and
very well reassembled. Even quality rubber mats were cut to replace the original
Lancia mats.
way better then the
common cheap carpet replacement. For reason unbeknown to us, the owners son
filled the radiator with oil, and after the engine overheated and one piston
seized, the owners sons buddy dismantled the motor into every conceivable piece
and deposited the debris in the boot.
When the car was
towed in to us it was only supposed to lack an engine.
Once that was
fitted, it tuned out, that steering, brakes and electrics were missing as
well.....
The car eventually
drove home, but is still very far from healthy.
Note: The steering
disc on the picture passed a DEKRA test only 12 month
earlier.
Lancia
Fulvia Coupe S2
This car likewise
was towed in as it did not want to start. It transpired that it must have been a
home restoration job. Virtually every part in the engine compartment had to be
set right before the car was able to co-operate, but eventually she did drive
home......
( This is NOT the actual car
) Lancia Beta
Spider:
The first car we
ever worked on in SA. It fell of the radar in 1999. After standing for many
years it was eventually resurrected by some other mechanic,
and was supposed to
proudly serve as a transport for the owners son's matric ball. Unfortunately
it died on the way ( very embarrassing for the lancia reputation
)
As the other
mechanic could not resurrect it, it was eventually towed to us:
Diagnosis
Burnt
ignition coil maybe due to missing ballast
resistor:
R 782.57 later, the
car could drive home: wish it could always be that easy.
( this is NOT
the actual car)
Thema 16V i.e.
turbo
This car has been of
the road for many years. Another mechanic reconditioned the engine, after that
it was smoking badly. that was then blamed on the turbo
charger.
It took years of
trial and tribulations to get that reconditioned. Eventually the car smoked just
like before. Eventually the car was reconditioned again my yet another another
mechanic. However despite many desperate attempts, the double reconditioned
engine did not want to start.
When it was
towed in to us we found a defect temperature sensor. With the new unit
the car started instantly.
However more
problems were to come as both reconditioning people had overlooked badly
worn balance shaft bearings and did not adjust the
tappets...
Which brings us
to the next problem: All 4 active shock absorbers were extensively
reconditioned by a well known shock absorber expert in
Rondebosch.
Due to the engine
delays, the units were only fitted 6 years later, and failed instantly. On
physical inspection it appeared, that the well known expert has only
changed the oil.....
The last thing we
heard is that the head gasket blew, most likely my replacement piston with too
much compression fitted by the previous expert.
Now we will have to
open the engine for the third and hopefully last time.
( This is NOT the actual car )
Lancia Thema 16v
tb S3
One of the very rare
S3 Themas in South Africa. The best Thema ever made. The car was towed in
with inexplicable petrol problems.
We removed and
checked the injectors, but could not find anything.
Only the never
failing genius of Vito Viglietti found that the computer box under the dashboard
was filled with water.
Once it was dried,
and a corroded wire replaced, the car could drive
home.......
The few remaining
Lancias in the Cape had to go through considerable suffering in the last
year and the owners had to go through considerable financial losses
due to unqualified mechanics working on the cars.
While we are trying
our best to keep the marquee alive, our capacity is limited, so we appeal to the
support of the owners, to make sure that their Lancia is treated
with the
respect and qualification it deserves.
Yours Sincerely
Felix Furtak B.Eng. (Hons.)
|