Whilst driving home tonight I've noticed that my Panda Diesel has started to develop a whistling sound which I assume is coming from the turbo. The whistling sound kicks in around 2k rpm and is quite loud. I've had a look around the unit and can see no sign of any oil leaks or obvious damage with the pipes and hoses attached to the turbo unit. I've only covered 17k in the car and it's a 57 plate which I bought new and which I've had serviced through the dealership.
If the turbo is at fault can anyone tell me roughly how long it will take the dealership to fix the fault? I assume it's covered under the 3 year warranty.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Graham

If the power hasn't dropped, it's most likely the pipe between the air filter and turbo come adrift.

As for dealer fix time, without knowing the actual fault......

On my multijet the inlet pipe to the turbo was loose although it still had the factory clip on and had never been removed. No whistling but if yours is slightly looser it might be sucking air in. The pipe enters the turbo on the righthand side as you look at the front of the engine.

Other than that it seems to be somewhere on the inlet, the intercooler is down under the passenger side headlight maybe a leak there?


Guess work but if you are going to a Fiat dealer for a fix it will be atleast a day, for a diagnostic and a fix if it is a clip but if you have to wait for a hose or intercooler then make that 2-3days.

On my very tweaked Uno turbo ie of fondest memory the pipe between the turbo and the inlet manifold split several times - very high spec/high temp "rubber" pipe allowing some flex - sign was just as you describe so I suspect it's on the pressure side of the turbo. There was no discernible loss of power, though I suspect that would have followed as the split spread.

What's the tune???

Did you know... the tune to "some mothers do 'ave em" is the title whistled in morse!!!

"Always look on the bright side of life.............."

Last week my 57 plate MJ started to whistle like a milkman that's won the lottery. It went in to the local dealer this Wednesday just passed. We're told we can have it back, fully repaired, on Monday. Diagnosis is a turbo failure resident from manufacture and that a new turbo will be fitted under warranty. I suspect you too have a turbo from the same faulty batch as your car is the same age. Do not drive the car until it's checked - if the turbo has failed the same as mine you risk further engine damage that the warranty might not cover.

Hope this is of more use than some of the previous replies,

Cheers, FP

My wife's Panda Sporting diesel started whistling recently. It's a 55 plate with 34,500 miles.

Took it to the local Fiat dealer who stated it was a bearing problem and would require a new turbo - £1,180 please.

I said we'd think about it and rang another dealer to ask how much a replacement turbo would be - £554 + vat fitted. Bit different isn't it?

Then took it to an independent turbo specialist in Leeds, who hadn't come across a Panda turbo before and thought I was pulling his leg. He confirmed the turbo needed replacing and said it was extremely bad luck for one to go at that mileage on a car that had been serviced to the manufacturer's schedules. He quoted £605 including VAT & fitting.

Meanwhile original Fiat dealer phoned the wife back and after several calls back and forth from myself has agreed to do the job for £605 to match the specialist.

So, half the original quoted price. Makes you wonder....

However as the turbo specialist said, it shouldn't be needing to be replaced at this mileage in the first place on a car that has been serviced by Fiat dealers to the factory service schedule..

Many thanks to everyone who replied to my posting.

I'm pleased to say that the dealers replaced the faulty turbo unit as the car is still under warranty. That said, I'm a little concerned that the unit went after just 17,000 miles. I'm wondering how many other Panda turbo's have failed after covering such a small mileage??

Ralph,
Have you got details of the turbo specialist in Leeds? And which Fiat dealer was it that matched their quote - SG Petch at York? I'm experiencing same problems.
Many thanks
Paul (also from Selby)

Not a big fan of SG Petch prefer Walkers South Ottrington (Northallerton) they are a Delta Integrale specialist & Fiat usually very helpful>