VmanC said:

Hi conkerpow, just read this thread for the first time.

You certainly need a new vacuum advance unit as no, that hole shouldn't be there . You could seal it with a dab of silicone but the chances are that the diaphram inside is poor or dead anyway. Vacuum advance is designed to alter the timing under load true, but on the Panda it gives you about ten degrees at idle too, try disconnecting the pipe when it's all fixed, you'll find the engine revs drop dramatically and probably stall. Your hole could also allow air into the carb via the vacuum pipe allowing it to run week.

Can I confirm a couple of things that others have mentioned.

In the UK all 4x4's have electronic ign. not points, unless they are MK1's with the ohv engine. Could you post a pic of your engine and distributor so that we can be sure of what we are dealing with?

Also, points need to be in good condition, cleaning them up is fine as a 'get you home' measure but, as Alik says should be replaced asap along with the condenser. May as well start off ownership with a new set of plugs and leads if you can run to it too.

Points on a FIRE engine can be set with the engine running using a dwell meter, this is preferable to setting with feeler gauges as it allows for wear in other parts of the distributor (shaft, baseplate, etc). A multimeter that can do dwell is well worth buying for this as it's not too expensive.

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VmanC said:

Sorry to be a pain but it's difficult to see if that's a points distributor or elec. ign. Could you take a closer pic showing the unit on the opposite side to the vacuum advance unit, or an inside shot showing the points themselves.

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conkerpow said:

Haha sorry for the confusion, I'm new to all this old car business!

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VmanC said:

No problem, at least you're having a go and that's the way to learn.

So, to summarise what we now know...

You have electronic ign., not points, which is working fine apart from needing a new vac. adv. unit. You could try sealing the hole with some silicone to see if it has any effect before replacing it but ultimately a new one is best.
If it was me I would replace the spark plugs as it cancels them out of the equation, allows other components to work at there best, and is a worthwhile service item anyway.

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conkerpow said:

So I patched the hole with some heat resistant superglue gel, solved the idling problem straight away !

Time to find a replacement, i'll speak to the local fiat garage tomorrow and see as it may work out the same price as getting it delivered to France from the Uk

Will also pickup some new leads and plugs!

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conkerpow said:

So I patched the hole with some heat resistant superglue gel, solved the idling problem straight away !

Time to find a replacement, i'll speak to the local fiat garage tomorrow and see as it may work out the same price as getting it delivered to France from the Uk

Will also pickup some new leads and plugs!

Click to expand...

Freebo said:

Let us know your findings. I would like to buy a new one myself.

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VmanC said:

Hi conkerpow, just read this thread for the first time.

You certainly need a new vacuum advance unit as no, that hole shouldn't be there . You could seal it with a dab of silicone but the chances are that the diaphram inside is poor or dead anyway. Vacuum advance is designed to alter the timing under load true, but on the Panda it gives you about ten degrees at idle too, try disconnecting the pipe when it's all fixed, you'll find the engine revs drop dramatically and probably stall. Your hole could also allow air into the carb via the vacuum pipe allowing it to run week.

Can I confirm a couple of things that others have mentioned.

In the UK all 4x4's have electronic ign. not points, unless they are MK1's with the ohv engine. Could you post a pic of your engine and distributor so that we can be sure of what we are dealing with?

Also, points need to be in good condition, cleaning them up is fine as a 'get you home' measure but, as Alik says should be replaced asap along with the condenser. May as well start off ownership with a new set of plugs and leads if you can run to it too.

Points on a FIRE engine can be set with the engine running using a dwell meter, this is preferable to setting with feeler gauges as it allows for wear in other parts of the distributor (shaft, baseplate, etc). A multimeter that can do dwell is well worth buying for this as it's not too expensive.

Click to expand...

andyholli said:

Question on how to set dwell - I thought I'd give this a go today (on 1988 4x4), trawled through the manuals for settings and then dived in..
Only to find no obvious ways of adjustment on the Marelli electronic distributor. I was expecting 3mm alen key from my reading but it isn't that clear.
What have I missed please Vern?

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