Making my first purchase - advice?

[blackreaver]

New to this forum, just looked at and test driven a 57 Ibiza 1.4 Formula Sport.

I need some advice on problems and potential servicing costs.

There were no major problems when I test drove and looked around the car.
However, the rear washer did not work as the washer pipe was leaking underneath the car.
I could see washer fluid squirting out underneath and pooling near the pump. The front washers worked fine though.

Another problem was that none of the steering wheel mounted media controls worked. The owner said this was due to a faulty fuse, but I'm not so sure.

How easy and cheap are the above two problems likely to be to fix?

It's my first car, and I don't have a lot of experience, so I'm going to get it properly checked out before I decide to buy.

Any comments or useful experiences?

Cheers,
BR

 

[britishsligean]

The rear washer not working is a common problem, the pipe has popped out, all you need to do is put the pipe back in and use screen wash with antifreeze protection to prevent it popping off again, it may have popped off in the drivers boot corner or behind the rear washer unit, again it is a simple fix

 

[RUM4MO]

As above on the rear wiper washer, but why I am replying is, as the previous poster did not mention the other issue, I do not have an answer on that other than to say that all these MF steering wheel buttons are IR etc and not hard wired, so they do not work when the ignition is switched off, which suggests that the IR system needs a switched supply to work. Now where it is or where it gets the supply from I don't know, or if indeed it could be the IR transmitter in the steering wheel that is faulty - or did that model of car ever get fitted with a MF steering wheel? If not, has this seller not just fitted one and expected it to work - which it does not?

I could be wrong about how the MF steering wheel "talks" to the media system, but it will be some form of wireless communication.

 

[blackreaver]

Thanks for replying.

The fluid doesn't leak out in the boot, it leaks underneath the car about below where the driver/passenger sits. It also pools near the pump. Is fluid leaking in these places still a common fault?

I'm not too bothered about the steering wheel controls, unless they are likely to affect other components, such as the lights etc.

 

[britishsligean]

Whilst it may only be in the engine bay, I personally had it I the engine bay and when I reconnected it I had it in the boot, check out this video, it is done by one of the users on here (I believe Krussel, but can not remember) it gives you loads of info about the fault and how to remedy it, it personally took me 30mins to an hour to fix

https://youtu.be/kE0CTaWp2bU

 

[bald_eagle]

Thanks for replying.

The fluid doesn't leak out in the boot, it leaks underneath the car about below where the driver/passenger sits. It also pools near the pump. Is fluid leaking in these places still a common fault?

I'm not too bothered about the steering wheel controls, unless they are likely to affect other components, such as the lights etc.

sounds like the pipe has popped off the rear washer pump,it happened to me,

if that's the case its a simple fix as the pumps are easy enough to get too and you just pop it back on. try getting someone to use the washers and you look underneath as they do it, if its popped off it will squirt out from just behind the bumper.

 

[krussel]

Whilst it may only be in the engine bay, I personally had it I the engine bay and when I reconnected it I had it in the boot, check out this video, it is done by one of the users on here (I believe Krussel, but can not remember) it gives you loads of info about the fault and how to remedy it, it personally took me 30mins to an hour to fix

https://youtu.be/kE0CTaWp2bU

Thanks Mate.

Yes its my video, hope it helps. very common and pretty much all my pipes have popped since I bought the car new in 2008.

Top tips are to either use super glue of small worm clips when pushing the pipes back or they pop again. Once fixed run STRONG screen wash in mid winter.

If you purchase the car I would also recommend removing the foam triangles from the inner wings to prevent rusting. Full details in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqv6IQ-qw9U

 

[Arkaig]

New to this forum, just looked at and test driven a 57 Ibiza 1.4 Formula Sport.

If it's the 100bhp version it should be a fairly enjoyable little car. Expect about 44mpg, it's economical and bomb proof, although the relatively high tax for a small engine annoys me.

I need some advice on problems and potential servicing costs.

2 common problems already mentioned : leaking washer and rusty front wings.

Look out for badly worn front wishbone (rear) bushes. They can look torn or cracked when gone. Symptoms can range from clonking when going over small kerbs/speedbumps, to squeaking and creaking and generally very vague steering. When done they should be replaced with better quality ones such as those from the Cupra or Polyurethane bushes.

Check the front tyres for inner wear. For some reason ibizas eat front tyres, this is compounded when the above mentioned bushes are worn.

As for servicing costs, budget for a new timing belt every 40,000 miles or 4 years, whichever is sooner. Check that this has been done with new pulleys and water pump.

Apart from that, just change the oil and oil filter every year, spark plugs, air and pollen filter every other year, and it should go on forever. It's easy to DIY service.

Can't complain about any of our Ibizas. Strong little cars.

 

[blackreaver]

Anyone got more infor on the MF steering wheel controls?
Could this potentially get worse and affect the ECU, or is it just some faulty wiring or a blown fuse?