My '93 CLX is being uncharacteristicly problematic, and I was wondering if anyone might have some advice. The problems are:

The clutch pedal won't come up untill the engine is warm, so you're sat for 10 minutes not going anywhere. Would it just need some fluid changing or something more expensive?

It uses loads of petrol. I'm assuming it's because of the hole in the exhaust (I haven't found this but the car smells very fumy with the windows open) and this confuses the lambda probe into making the mixture too rich. But the underside of the petrol tank is always damp - is this just condensation or evidence of a leak?

Someone tried to break in and broke the drivers side lock. Fiat said I could get a new lock set for £40, but they'd want two hours labour charge to fit it. Has anyone changed the locks? Is it do-able with normal tools?

Any advice gratefully recieved.

salford scheemie said:

Someone tried to break in and broke the drivers side lock. Fiat said I could get a new lock set for £40, but they'd want two hours labour charge to fit it. Has anyone changed the locks? Is it do-able with normal tools?

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Locks are fairly simple to fit and in another thread on this forum a very good explanation of the proceedure is given. I recommend reading it as it helped me recently change every single look on my own panda. if he has quoted £40 for just one lock and key (normally 2) then i would look at a breakers yard first. For the job all you will need is a small screw driver to release the window winder circlip and the rest comes out by hand once retaining clips are released. well worth doing the job yourself. it's definately a 5 minute job...

Not sure the clutch but i'll have a check. As for the locks, they are as Tony says VERY easy to fit. also look on ebay, there is a lock and keys on there atm.

Get the exhaust fixed asap i'd say, they are not too bad, if your local to me I can recomend a very very good cheep place.

As for the fuel tank I've never known the bottom of the tank to always be damp, unless it's leaking

I'd check it out asap. Just run your hand along the condensation / dampness. If it smells of anything at all eg fuel you have a very serious problem that needs fixed right away.

Whatever you do dont give up and scrap it, we cant afford to lose another panda

I know where to get a new fuel tank for about a £10 so if it is that something can be done...

I can't believe 2 hours labour for fitting a lock by a Fiat specialist !
I'm a layman and it takes me 5-7 minutes!
Salford ... (I used to live there) send me a PM and I'll send you a lock'n'key. Gratis.
Regards

Locks - very easy on the panda. The push in part on mine was missing, got one from breakers yard with one for tailgate + other bits for a fiver - took 10mins to fit. Aren't the tanks all plastic guys?

Nope the 4x4's are steel and got a spare in the garage but it will only fit another 4x4.

Well thanks for your help, guys. In the end the clutch thing was not a hydrolic problem as I'd been told by a clutch place, since the car does not have a hydrolic clutch, just a spring and a bit of wire, which had got stuck.

The petrol leak is hopefully just the fault of some rubber bits - maybe the fuel pump, though, much more expensively. So it's in a garage a friend recommended the now, hopefully I'll be back on the road before too long...

Glad to hear it's not too bad.

Did you get a set of locks as I found some in my garage last night when looking for something else.