Fiat Uno B3 1.6TD: Specs, Info & More

I need help because I don't want to scrap my car.
Recently, I thought my starter or battery was broken - I replaced it, but there was no improvement.

Error description:
Sometimes, when starting, you only hear a clicking sound, but nothing turns.
Then I tried pushing the car to start it in 3rd gear - unsuccessful. Then I tried it in 5th gear - also unsuccessful - as if the engine was locked. After a short wait, I tried starting it again, and it started!?!?!?!
Sometimes it starts, and sometimes the starter motor only turns weakly, like with a bad battery.
It sounds terrifying every time I start the car, like someone is hitting the clutch bell with a water pipe.

Just to mention, I have a coolant leak, but there are no visible signs of it.
Even though I change the oil every 7500 km, it looks like graphite grease on the oil filler cap (black and thick).
Normal oil consumption is approximately 0.5 - 0.75 liters per 7,500 kilometers.

No oil in the water, or water in the oil.

Performance is good at 320,000 km.
Water temperature: OK.
It smokes heavily black when starting or during strong acceleration.
Boost pressure: 0.7 bar.

My guess is that it's a ZK or ZKD issue, and that water might be accumulating in the cylinders.
After starting, it only runs on 3 cylinders for the first 20 seconds.
I usually experience problems with the "blocked starter" when it's been hot during the day and I'm driving short distances.

A request to all knowledgeable members of this excellent forum.
Help! Help! Help!!!
Thank you in advance!

Hi,

Check if your starter shaft goes into a bronze bearing inside the clutch housing.
If that's the case, and it's damaged or broken, it's better to scrap the car. It's possible that your starter motor housing is also broken because the starter pinion is engaging with the ring gear. Eventually, the ring gear will also fail. I experienced this problem about 10 years ago.

Best regards, Rainer.

Thank you.
"This all sounds very logical because the noise sounds like a "loose" starter, and it would also explain the "blocking" issue."
Thank you for the quick and informative response.

But how can the significant water loss and the sludge at the oil filler neck be explained?

Hi,

The starter motor has its own housing, so there is no socket in the transmission.

To get to the bottom of the problem, I would start by measuring the compression.
Regarding the starting behavior, I would suggest checking the ground and positive connections.

However, since there are reports of water loss without any visible leak, a head gasket or head gasket/cylinder head damage is very likely and quite expected given the age and mileage of the vehicle.

In particular, the fact that the engine is seizing up when it revs up strongly suggests a problem... unless a connecting rod is already bent.

Best regards, Michael.

Paketschupfer wrote:

But how does one explain the significant water loss and the sludge at the oil filler cap?

defective valve stem seals/worn valve guides, which results in exhaust gases and soot being blown into the combustion chamber.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me with advice.
The starter was already pointing in the right direction, but it's damaged on the planetary gear and the anchor housing.
The issue with the rough idle during cold starts has also been resolved. It was caused by a faulty glow plug and a clogged fuel injector.
As well as the grease on the oil filler cap -- due to frequent short trips and engine idling!
Compression: OK.
Oil consumption: None.
(Assuming "Kopfdichtung" refers to the cylinder head gasket)
Water loss - shocking - radiator cooler - therefore, a lot of work and damp doormats.


After careful consideration, I've decided not to repair my 80 anymore. Instead, I'll look for another 80, and I'll put my turbodiesel in the garage as a project car, since the body is in good condition except for the engine.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me with this matter.
I will definitely look for a B3 or B4, possibly a car that has been in an accident.
Maybe I'll convert a B4 Avant to a B3 front - it looks really good. [/b]