Author Topic: problems with the panda (Read 4944 times)

nrg19uk · « **on:** November 18, 2005, 05:59:44 PM »

hi guys since the colds been setting in, my panda has to have the choke out for a very long time during this time it seems like it mis fires and jumps around for ages till it gets to nearly 90 on the temp gauge then i push it in and it runs fine if i push it in before it reaches 90 then it will stall and i have problems starting it again. i have heard sumthing about a vacume advance unit could help, any ideas guy?

any ideas on how the vacume advance unit works and how to change one if i need to do it?

?

fiatfsm · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2005, 10:48:28 PM »

vacuum advance unit failure is a very common problem with the Panda. Good news its easy to change! Its mounted on the side of the distributor, held on with 2 screws, one of which also holds the condensor in place. Remove these, remove the vacuum pipe from the unit and also you need to take off the distributor cap as the unit has a plastic arm that clips on inside the dissy. You can buy them from Fiat, about Ã‚Â£20 or on shop 4 parts on the net for much less... do you have the FIRE engined Panda, if so the ones on sale are right for them, if a 903 engine then you have to re-route the vacuum pipe, all very simple stuff.
BUT FIRST.... make sure that is the problem! You can easily test the unit by removing dissy cap, exposing the plastic arm mentioned, then remove vacuum pipe from carb end and suck! The plastic arm should move, thus altering the advance mechanism, if it doesnt move its broke!

ChrisRLewis · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2005, 10:49:12 PM »

It could possibly be the vacum advance?
There is a small tube that fits on to the distributor to the manifold area, check there are no splits etc in this pipe. If there are it will cause a weak mixture and will cause similar problems to what you are experiencing.

Also take the pipe off at the inlet manifold or carb end (not the distributor end). Take the distributor cap off and any plastic shield that may be fitted in the distributor. Then suck down this pipe you should see the contact points base plate revolving, if you donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t it could be a broken rubber diaphragm in the vacum advance unit.

Have you checked the condition of the contact points on your panda? often neglected on this model!

nrg19uk · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2005, 01:35:49 AM »

cheers fellas
i dont need to check the points its got a recipt just before i brought it saying they had been replaced with a new dizzy cap and rotor arm

my panda has 37,000 miles full service history
i took this car to get moted and the bloke there said its the cleanest one he has seen not a spot of rust on it.

but i will double check to make sure cheers for your advice guys i will get back to you on the out come

fiatfsm · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2005, 10:31:23 AM »

Quote from: "cars"

Also take the pipe off at the inlet manifold or carb end (not the distributor end). Take the distributor cap off and any plastic shield that may be fitted in the distributor. Then suck down this pipe you should see the contact points base plate revolving, if you donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t it could be a broken rubber diaphragm in the vacum advance unit.

Eh? Thats exactly what I said

Double check your points gap anyway, they do have a habit of adjusting themselves, if they have then some loctite on the thread of the adjuster screw will help (the little allen bolt).

nrg19uk · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2005, 02:59:10 PM »

i guys i have checked the gap thats fine i suck on the pipe and i see all the bits inside move. but i have noticed sum oil in with the points very little amount any ideas?

ChrisRLewis · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2005, 03:21:39 PM »

Hi

the oil should not cause any problems like you are experiencing?
It's worth giving the distributor a clean out to try to remove the oil.

I would check the idle mixture next followed by the ignition timing.
Also is the thermostat working ok, if it's taking a long time to warm up?

It could be one of many things, and they are all a pain to locate, perhaps your best option would be an electronic tune up?

good luck

C

Tim · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2006, 09:02:57 PM »

You've probably sorted this out by now. But if not, it sounds very much like your air filter is in summer mode. Like my 126 bis, your panda should have a lever under the air filter. In summer you set it to suck air from outside the engine compartment, but in winter the air is too cold and causes problems.

Switch iy over if you haven't already and all should be well. Apparently this problem is common on Pandas.