PLEASE HELP or advise!!!

[81autospider]

What the heck gives here guys....I have run into every wall possible looking for a tensioner...I have bought a new timing belt and would like to take your advise and replace the tensioner too...but everyone is telling me that the tensioner is no longer available....here it is almost Wednesday and I am planning to pick up my car on Saturday but wanted to change out the timing belt before the long drive home...but I am having no luck...I have searched every place possible on-line that I know of and did find a Fiat/Triumph supplier but his search even said that it isn't available...if this is the case, I don't want to buy a car that I can't get parts for...I really do want this car though...does anyone have a GOOD reliable source for parts I don't know about or can't find?...

Almost ready to get my money back....please help!

[So Cal Mark]

there isn't any reason to replace the entire tensioner. You only need to replace the bearing and those are readily available

[adrians]

Have you checked Matthew Spares - EBAY store

[pope]

http://www.rockauto.com/

They have timing belt tensioner bearing for $53.
You can get everything for that car, just ask! Dont start whimping out on us now!

[mbouse]

where are you looking for parts? certainly not at the standard Fiat catalogue suppliers.... i had no problem finding this:

http://www.vickauto.com/cgi-bin/store/02-4346.html

not advocating this vendor over anyone else.....but it is $20 cheaper than the above named vendor on this particular part.

[JeremyB]

I agree with Mbouse, call vicks. they can get it to you pretty quick.

[81autospider]

You guys have been so helpful...thank you so much...and NO! I wasn't trying to wimp out on you guys...I just feel that buying a car that you CAN NOT get replacement parts for is a ridiculous investment...other wise know as "garden art" ...with the help from So Cal Mark I will have a new bearing here before I head up north...thank you so much for your help Mark ...next time I decide to get concerned about locating any parts, I will ask you guys here first.

I am really looking towards a great drive home...with the top down of course...there ain't nothin' like the rushing of smoke filled air in your face ...there are way too many fires burning up north here...I hope that by this weekend, it will have blown away.

[bradartigue]

I just feel that buying a car that you CAN NOT get replacement parts for is a ridiculous investment...other wise know as "garden art"

You might not want to own an old car (as in, more than 7 years old) if you are looking for every part to be new. FIAT part availability is actually very good considering the age and the horrible dealer network FIAT had in the later days. You'll find the same problem with old BMW, Audi, Porsche, Ford, Chevy, you name it...

[sawmkw]

There are several part houses for Fiat Spiders.

In addition to Vicks, there is:
IAP (http://www.international-auto.com)
Bruces (http://www.fiatparts.com)
Fun Imported (http://www.funimported.com)

All of which focus on Fiat parts. If IAP or Vicks doesn't have the part, Bruces usually does. I was told that the door lug receiver gasket was no longer manufactured or available for my 82 Spider. I got them new from Bruces for $3. He orders quite a lot directly from Italy. Danny at Fun also has tons of stock OEM and used parts. You just have to call.

Parts are actually pretty easy to find...

[81autospider]

Thanks so much for the links guys...I guess I'm just used to going to the parts store and walking out with parts in hand...and that's for my 1961 Ranchero...the only parts I have had to order were some after market stuff...I would expect the same for any car, but when there are only a handful of Fiat Spiders driving around Sacramento out of 1.5 million people, my chances of getting parts will most likely be mail order...I have several import part houses here in Sac. but most of them only sell European stuff; BMW, VW, Audi, Porsche and Mercedes...NO Italian parts

[rlux4]

Don't give up totally on your local parts store. I've gotten quite a few parts, brake pads, spark plug wires, radiator hoses, etc. from AutoZone. What they didn't have on the shelf, they got overnight. At least they have our cars in their computer.
Ron

[ga.spyder]

I live in a COUNTY of 20,000 people and 1 Fiat! I have never had a problem with parts ,although if Autozone doesnt have it ,I have to wait a couple days for our vendors to ship. If you call them before 2 pm they all ship it out the same day.All of them have been really helpful.
Craig

[pope]

20,000 people and 1 Fiat...how do you know when its your turn to drive?

[So Cal Mark]

a whole county and only 20,000 people? geez, we have that many just getting to the corner and back

[ga.spyder]

It is always my turn to drive the Fiat! We do have a 4 way stop in town square.If there are more than 3 cars there at one time it is officially a ''Blairsville traffic jam''.And we have a 4 lane road ,which of course,is called The 4 Lane. I moved here from the most congested place in Fla.,and say a big ''thank you'' everyday.
Craig