bertone freeclimber 1.6 petrol 1993

[dawni007]

Hi
Does anyone know how many miles/kilometres per gallon I should be getting out of this car. I think I have a problem with heavy fuel consumption. But something weird has happened. I have just had a breakdown and I thought I was out of fuel ( The fuel gauge is buggared but I thought I had plenty left in there)Came to a complete stop and it wouldn't start as if there was no fuel. I took fuel cap off and it nearly blasted off like a rocket and loads of air and fuel vapours came whooshing out. I tried it again after this and it started and off I went. Drove about 12 kms and stopped at fuel station. When I took the fuel cap off it did the same thing again. Put fuel in then drove the return trip home. Took the fuel cap off again and there was the air coming about again. I've never known this on another car. Has anyone got an idea?. Have I missed something completely obvious. If anyone out there has this car I would be very grateful if we could chat as there are other strange things going on with this car. Cheers

[bigblock]

The Bertone freeclimber is the Italian built version of the Daihatsu Fourtrak. I thought that the smallest engine they did was a petrol 2.0 litre by BMW.

Anyway it sounds like your petrol tank is pressurising due to a blocked breather pipe. I would go onto one of the Fourtrak owners sites for advice as to where the breathers are located.

[GravelBen]

bigblock said:

The Bertone freeclimber is the Italian built version of the Daihatsu Fourtrak. I thought that the smallest engine they did was a petrol 2.0 litre by BMW.

The Daihatsu version is a 1.6 petrol, did Bertone use different engines?

[dawni007]

Hi , yes the Bertone is another version of the Daihatsu Fourtrak or Rocky or the Feroza as they are badged up out here in Spain. It is the 1.6 petrol Bmw engine in this car - the same engine as in the BMW 316i , I believe. Thanks Bigblock for your info about the breather pipe to the fuel tank which may be causing the air in the tank problem. I have replaced the fuel filler cap as it was an old metal one and really quite rusted - perhaps the escape hole in that is rotten??? Do you think this tank pressurizing thing would cause heavy fuel consumption. It is definitely using shed loads of fuel. Can't make accurate analysis because the fuel gauge is buggared. Another problem that needs sorting out. I believe this to be the sender unit but have heard it is one major pain in the ass to change this and is easier to replace the whole tank. ?? I don't know of any other Bertones round these parts - there aren't any in any of the scrapyards. But I had a quick look under a Daihatsu Feroza I passed and the fuel tank looks to be identical so this might not be a problem as there are plenty of the Daihatsus knocking about. One more thing guys , another problem this morning!! It has been playing up a little recently with starting - taking a good few turns to start so have been suspicious about the starter motor. Now this morning, nothing. All lights on the dash, windywipers, headlights the lot all up, but zilch on the key. Does this sound like the brushes in the starter motor just need replacing or is the whole unit whacked?? All advice very gratefully received before I head off to the garage. Would be good to be armed with knowledge as I am sick off getting ripped off by mechanics who think women know nothing about cars. Especially prominent in this bit of Spain. Women certainly are seen as dunces when it comes to the automobile. Cheers folks Dawn.