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Panda (Classic) Engelbert the H reg Dark Green Sisley Progress Log

Introduction

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-cla...ng-h-reg-sisley-needs-home-5.html#post3514984

So today I took delivery of the above mentioned Sisley, who I have decided to name Engelbert after the last 3 letters of his numberplate (I always name my cars in this way). All is explained as to how he came to be in my possession from the above thread so I wont touch on that too much here but will say the seller is a very kind lady. She was understanding about the transport frustrations I had and was very honest about the condition of the car.

This first post is going to be very pic heavy by the way!! I got it and did a quick assessment (I will do a more in depth assessment tomorrow) but I am extremely pleased with the condition generally, it obviously will need work but I am prepared for this (hence the project log). It has every sisley extra apart from the grille badge and is missing two centrecaps and the horn push (I am not counting the compass in this), though I wasnt expecting there to be as much of the sisley trim etc as there is! I am in the process of compiling a list of required items too.

Required Items/work required

Side repeater indicator
Front part of Airbox assembly (or new clips)
two sisley centrecaps
Front grille sisley badge
Instrument surround (See photo)
possibly bonnet vent (there is a small crack in this but I actually dont think it matters too much)
Possibly new bonnet or just work to the bonnet
Rubber headlamp rear cover
Rubber boot seal
Refurbish wheels and new tyres
Sisley Horn Push
New Battery
Aerial
Wiring repairs (wiring next to battery at least)
Repair front seat fabric
Under bonnet screwdriver
wirebrushing and undersealing, possible welding at points
Front bullbars
rear bullbars Palio I havent forgotten about this, but will wait till funds are more available if thats cool?
Obviously a stripdown and recommissioning generally of the engine is required as it hasnt run in 4-5 years


The general condition is pretty good indeed, though some rust curing and prevention will obviously have to be done. But I gave it a quick clean and it has come up very nicely, I am struggling for things to say about it as I have so much swimming in my head at the moment with it, im overwhelmed, need to sleep to digest it all! I will let the pictures and videos do the talking (still need to upload videos)
So got some forward progress today but also some not so forward progress.

Good points first:

Removed heaterbox insulation to make way for the new stuff
Managed to get boot to close and latch properly
Undersealed everywhere under the car, and also up to the top of the outer sills, I personally love the look it gives and the protection of course
Front window wiper is working properly
Cleaned the bull bars, they look awesome

Not so good stuff
The earth lead to the starter motor seems to be causing trouble again, it was working fine till last weekend when I was trying to make the engine run off its own tank and fuel lines, and I am ashamed to say I cranked it for way longer than I should have in an attempt to get the fuel to come through. Since then the starter has been "clicking" again when trying to start (i previously replaced the starter motor and cleaning and tightening the bolt etc on the starter motor solved the issue) but it has reared its head again. I took it off, cleaned it, emery papered it and refitted but 90% of the time it still clicks, though when I had it on jump leads it started a bit easier.

Tearing my hair out with the earth issue guys (which I suspect it is again as its the exact same symptoms) though any hints or advice will be gratefully received as everyone knows electrics are not my strong point!
 

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just add another earth lead somewhere.. from the engine to the body of the car.. Talon has 2 big earth cables from body to engine.

this is that starter i sent you right? that is a good starter.. maybe the issue is on the positive cable going to the starter?

Yeah that's right, its annoying because it has worked flawlessly since I fitted it, up to and including when I was cranking it last weekend trying to draw the fuel through. It was only after this it started acting up again.

To be absolutely clear I was cranking it for periods of up to 5 minutes continuously. I know this is silly, so I have to consider whether I have damaged the starter in some way.

How do I add another earth cable exactly? Sorry for the silly question
 
Cranking for 5 minutes won't have done it any good at all:eek: if the problem has only occured since you cranked it for so long thats probably the issue.

Can always put a jump lead between the engine and the battery negative to rule out an earth problem, but if the connections are clean and tight it seems unlikely.
 
I was cranking it for periods of up to 5 minutes continuously.
max safe uninterrupted cranking is 20s claimed by manufacturers, 30s probably will not kill the thing with few minutes break to cool it down before next try, but 5 mnutes? man......it is a toast inside now.
 
hmm it would be the solenoid on the back of the starter that would be unhappy.. i bet its carbed it up considerably. theres also the possibility that the positive lead has some faults.. its not uncommon for the crimped eye connector to have issues (i soldered mine on.)


give it a few good hits with something.. nothing like a bit of persuasive maintenance. not really got much to loose.

i have driven a panda starter (talons first one that had 0 bearing left) to the absolute extreme.. full rotor lock for about 2 minuets. the motors windings were glowing before they failed.

the 1.2 punto starter didnt last as long under the same experiment though, but it did manage to twist its self free.. so it had more power.

also the panda starter is good for up to 60 volts before it starts over arcing.. bit of useless info ;)
 
hmm it would be the solenoid on the back of the starter that would be unhappy.. i bet its carbed it up considerably. theres also the possibility that the positive lead has some faults.. its not uncommon for the crimped eye connector to have issues (i soldered mine on.)


give it a few good hits with something.. nothing like a bit of persuasive maintenance. not really got much to loose.

i have driven a panda starter (talons first one that had 0 bearing left) to the absolute extreme.. full rotor lock for about 2 minuets. the motors windings were glowing before they failed.

the 1.2 punto starter didnt last as long under the same experiment though, but it did manage to twist its self free.. so it had more power.

also the panda starter is good for up to 60 volts before it starts over arcing.. bit of useless info ;)

Thanks for the info John :)
 
Put in the new speedo cable, but I can't seem to make the needle on the dash move yet! I've checked both ends connections multiple times, I can't understand why it isn't working.

I had the internals of the new cable out and its all well lubricated and fine.

I confirmed that the old cable was snapped near the gearbox end.

Don't understand why it isn't working I really don't.
 

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It turns yes, its well lubricated, the cable itself is fine.

I just spoke to the previous owner and apparently this was an intermittent problem before the car was laid up. It stopped working for 6 months initially (around the time of a tyre change) and then started working for a few months again before stopping again.

So it seems the clocks, transmission, or the connection on either must be at fault, I will do more investigation tomorrow. My plan is to remove the gearbox end and use a drill to turn it to see if the speedo moves, and if it does then I will take out the clocks end and move the car while getting someone to watch to see if the inside is turning. That should tell me which end the problem is at. Unless its just a simple connection problem its looking like its going to turn into a total pain in the backside, I don't want to replace the dash because its Sisley specific and I don't want to replace the gearbox stuff because it will be time consuming, potentially expensive and almost certainly very difficult for someone of my skill level.

The fact that it started being an issue after a wheel change is interesting too, it seems somewhat unlikely, but I wonder if the gearbox end mechanism was damaged somehow by someone changing the tyre.

A lot to think about.
 
onemanmade

Met a very nice gentleman from North of the border at the NEC today. Took lots of Panda pics then asked about what made a Sisley a Sisley - his nephew had a green one. He also had a purpley one with twin sunnies but what Panda models had that? At which point I said it's not Cameron is it? Well he nearly fell over at my mind reading abilities!!!

Small world! (y)
 
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