Hello everyone!

I am the proud owner of a 1991 H-plate Panda Super. I also have a turbocharged Cinq, and there are loads of cento groups on the net, but you guys are the first Panda forum I’ve found!! I’m a complete Fiat-phile and I love my Panda just as much as my Cinq, cus it’s so simple, goes anywhere, does anything, never lets me down, and no-one ever wants to steal it (none of which I can say about my other car), and it has just as much personality as the Cinq.

It’s a 999cc carb FIRE lump, and is completely standard. It’s red-orange, with fetching brown and beige cloth trim. There’s not too much rust, and what there is has been treated. The person who owned it before me scraped the f/n/s wing, so there’s a little P38-filled patch with slightly redder paint, but I’ll forgive them cus they have definitely looked after it as it, and any work it needed has obviously been done.

It’s done 105K and still going strong- just treated it to 4 new 145/70s. Would have thought that would be a sufficient Xmas present, but it now seems to have a small hole in the heater matrix- after endless air-locks in the system, it’s now losing water with no visible leaks, and the fan heater steams up the windows more than it de-mists them. Does anyone have any experience of this??

Best regards,

Helen




Cinq Turbo and Panda Super

The heater matrix went on my Uno and it's a horrible job to replace it. The drivers seat had to come out to allow me to see what I was doing. If it ever happens again I'll be paying a mechanic to fix it.

www.forzafiat.com - the online resource for Fiat owners
<h6>
Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava </h6>

If it's not leaking bad then a little radiator repair will see you through 'till warmer weather.

Dave.

So much to do, so little time.... and Totally Skint!!

I'd agree with Daves comment about a quick dose of "Radweld", or similar gunge, until the weather is better: assuming the heater core is your invisible leak.

On the subject of water losses, and steaming up, there are other possibilities - which aren't necessarily any less evil:
I had a funny coolant loss on mine which was the metal pipe at the front of the engine leaking - it goes into the back of the water pump at one end, and the other end is connected to the radiator bottom hose. (it snakes around behind the exhaust downpipe)
When that leaks you get a couple of drops which appear to come from the oil filter[:0]

The unthinkable is a headgasket failure. Good FAQ here

http://www.fiatcentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1948


Regarding steaming up:
The other Panda I look after is getting a bit porous in the back, and a few drops of water get in there when it's very wet: It steams up like a Turkish bath

If you have any leaks into the front footwells it would do the same for you.
Either porous floor/sills, or for front doors which fit badly to let water in.


As to actually changing the heater matrix - no, I've been lucky enough so far not to have to... kiss of death if ever there was one[)]


John H

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

My first worry was head gasket, so I had the system pressure tested and it showed just a gradual loss in pressure that didn't correspond to engine speed. I'm going to get it gas tested thought to be 100% sure. To be honest, I'd rather tackle a head gasket swap than a heater matrix one! At least it's easy to get at, and its definitely easier to buy a new gasket then get a decent replacement matrix too.

Does anyone take their Panda to Italian car events? I can't remember seeing any at places like Stanford Hall or Brooklands.

Helen



Cinq Turbo and Panda Super

Originally posted by go2helenback


Does anyone take their Panda to Italian car events? I can't remember seeing any at places like Stanford Hall or Brooklands.

Helen

Cinq Turbo and Panda Super

Click to expand...

I think the Pandas are basically shy creatures:I

My excuse is usually "I'm at work",
or
"It's too far away".

Anyone fancy doing my 07:00 start tomorrow morning[?] [V] B)

A heater matrix change is a pig of a job but well worth it for peace of mind.

I've done it, just to replace the foam surround ... I'll post details if you want them. And yes, a head gasket replacement is easy compared with the heater.

Steve - [the barking is having a rest]

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Fiat Panda! (with apologies to the Queen of the Blues)

Hi Helen!

It must be my age. I've just noticed your username "go2helenback" - what a very apt name. Describes me and my Panda beautifully

See http://www.fiatcentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1110

Steve - [the barking is having a rest]

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Fiat Panda! (with apologies to the Queen of the Blues)

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