Reliant Rialto

[plasticvandan]

The heater will have almost zero effect unless the car is moving and air can be pushed up the grill into it.For winter,put an 82deg thermostat in and close off the foot well vents.leaving it "to warm up" is not advised, it will warm up quicker being driven.All reliant owners should have a chamois sponge in the glovebox for clearing the screen.

[bezzabsa]

dunno if been stated, but there are kits out there where you can drop a VW golf MK3 (i think) caliper onto the axle and convert it to disks...used a lot on Trikes..useful to know ...Don't see many 3 wheelers round my area now

[kinkersaab]

One of these is very much in my list of cars to have, or even drive. One day If you are ever up this neck of the woods in it do let me know.

[oldcars]

The heater will have almost zero effect unless the car is moving and air can be pushed up the grill into it.For winter,put an 82deg thermostat in and close off the foot well vents.leaving it "to warm up" is not advised, it will warm up quicker being driven.All reliant owners should have a chamois sponge in the glovebox for clearing the screen.

Cheers, i do have a sponge thing i use. Cheers for the advise 

[oldcars]

One of these is very much in my list of cars to have, or even drive. One day If you are ever up this neck of the woods in it do let me know.

Will do 

[Mally]

One of these is very much in my list of cars to have, or even drive. 

 

It's a bit like putting your feet in a sleeping bag and sitting on a telephone wire.

They are quite fast though.

[oldcars]

You can tell the mot is coming up as this is breaking a bit. Few things to sort which i can do no bother. This morning the indicators all stopped working. Only noticed as the wee green light on the dash was not flashing. All other lights seem to be fine. Where do i start with this please?

[Ghosty]

Relay/fuse?

[binbag]

I would check all the indicator bulbs first to see if any have blown.

[oldcars]

I would check all the indicator bulbs first to see if any have blown.

Normally they others still work as that happened before. Could be fuse i need to find out where they are on the car.

[plasticvandan]

flasher unit is always the first port of call on these.check the hazards work (if fitted) usually cleaning the hazard switch does the trick as well.

[oldcars]

flasher unit is always the first port of call on these.check the hazards work (if fitted) usually cleaning the hazard switch does the trick as well.

Cheers so it the hazards don't work, will cleaning that switch make the indicators come back to life? Where about is the flasher unit on these too please?

[plasticvandan]

generally yes its all linked together.flasher units are originally in little cradles riveted under the dash/footwell,but by now are usually just dangling under the mess of wires under the dash

[oldcars]

generally yes its all linked together.flasher units are originally in little cradles riveted under the dash/footwell,but by now are usually just dangling under the mess of wires under the dash

Thanks Dan, will have a look before the drive home. Fingers crossed the switch is the issue.

 

If i need a new flasher unit is this what i need https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/352222262366?chn=ps&adgroupid=45816556965&rlsatarget=pla-381250162233&abcId=1128936&adtype=pla&merchantid=7083394&poi=&googleloc=9046573&device=c&campaignid=856938665&crdt=0

[plasticvandan]

yes,but dont get your pants pulled down by pratsworld!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-MINI-SQUARE-INDICATOR-FLASHER-RELAY-UNIT-69-92-2-PIN-GFU2125-4E2/282724583001?epid=1434180259&hash=item41d3b2c659:g:5b0AAOxyUrZSsuW6

[oldcars]

Fixed, popped out with the post, via the Rialto with a small screwdriver. As you said Dan it was the hazard switch. Contacts cleaned and all is good again. Thanks 

[vulgalour]

Thought of you earlier today when I saw a beige Rialto wobbling around a roundabout.  No picture, sadly, and I'll probably not spot it again.  Reliants seem to be a car I only spot once and then never see again.

[plasticvandan]

Fixed, popped out with the post, via the Rialto with a small screwdriver. As you said Dan it was the hazard switch. Contacts cleaned and all is good again. Thanks 

I have my uses

[oldcars]

I have my uses

An interactive Haynes manual that give correct information   

[oldcars]

Spent some time on the Rialto this afternoon. One side light was out, bulb ok dodgy connection so thats sorted. Clutch cable adjusted and the bracket bit cleaned and greased as it was a bit stiff. One washer jet was blocked so this cleaned out and screen wash topped up. Oil and water checked and bonnet lock replaced. My old pal had given me a new one before he passed away. Got it fitted, made a right faff doing it. I can hear him giving me abuse . Almost tipped it off the jack which was not ideal. Finished off with a two bucket wash and tyres slicked. Yep even the front one both sides

[Split_Pin]

Good to see this little beastie being used as a proper daily

[somewhatfoolish]

The heater will have almost zero effect unless the car is moving and air can be pushed up the grill into it.For winter,put an 82deg thermostat in and close off the foot well vents.leaving it "to warm up" is not advised, it will warm up quicker being driven.All reliant owners should have a chamois sponge in the glovebox for clearing the screen.

Why is the heater so rubbish? Crappy heaters seem to be a Reliant thing, the one in the old man's SE6a was cack also.

 

Having enjoyed the mechanical chaos depicted in this thread I have to conclude that Rialtos are proper autoshite; I now want one. What's the going rate for a plastic pig these days?

[oldcars]

Why is the heater so rubbish? Crappy heaters seem to be a Reliant thing, the one in the old man's SE6a was cack also.

 

Having enjoyed the mechanical chaos depicted in this thread I have to conclude that Rialtos are proper autoshite; I now want one. What's the going rate for a plastic pig these days?

Not sure, i was told it was because the heater matrix was high up about the radiator.  Mine seems ok now after all the work done on it but these cars seem to freeze up more than others. 

Get one, they are great fun. I would say one that needs work for about £500 ish to a mot'd one for about £1000 - £1500. 

Something like this one is £1000 - https://www.gumtree.com/p/reliant/reliant-robin/1279769806

I prefer the early ones, love my Rialto.  Here is one that needs work in the nice apple green colour - https://www.gumtree.com/p/reliant/reliant-rialto-gls-estate-robin-spares-or-repair-good-investment-or-project/1277795141

[plasticvandan]

The heaters are pants mainly because they only get a thruflow of air when the car is moving.The usual single speed smiths motor is weak,and the long lengths of plastic trunking encourage leaks of air as well.

[oldcars]

The heaters are pants mainly because they only get a thruflow of air when the car is moving.The usual single speed smiths motor is weak,and the long lengths of plastic trunking encourage leaks of air as well.

My heater switch has two settings but the motor only has one  Love it.

[plasticvandan]

My memory is getting a little sketchy on the anal stuff,but im pretty sure the Rialto should have a twin speed heater,think someones put a mk1 robin motor in it.

[oldcars]

I did wonder, seemed odd having a two setting switch. 

[Eddie Honda]

I have to conclude that Rialtos are proper autoshite; I now want one. What's the going rate for a plastic pig these days?

You'll change your tune when it's blowing a hurricane and you are trying to get to your nearest Class 3 MOT station¹.

 

 

 

(¹I don't think much has changed in 25 years and thus it'll be all the way to Whiteinch)

[oldcars]

You'll change your tune when it's blowing a hurricane and you are trying to get to your nearest Class 3 MOT station¹.

(¹I don't think much has changed in 25 years and thus it'll be all the way to Whiteinch)

Just found today my local one has gone bust

[oldcars]

Noticed last week some odd rust dots on the rubber mat under the brake pedal. Seems to be rusty water but i need to have a look.