Technical service life of rad + matrix, any idea??

varesecrazy · Nov 26, 2011

Hi ,
experiencing vague coolant loss ( over weeks) , 1.1 Active 2004

wondering how the long term service life of the Radiator and heater matrix
is in people experience,

I've NEVER had a fiat matrix go , and I find only "disturbed" radiators leak..,

My instinct is with Head Gasket , but no real signs of it yet.

any experiences with the modern panda would be most welcome,

T I A ,
Charlie

babbo_umbro · Nov 26, 2011

With the 1.1 engine a head gasket seems to be the best (worst?) bet.

ivantate · Nov 27, 2011

6 years is about right for a rad if its seen salt. Seicento ones seemed to do 3 to 6 years.

Also have a look at the waterpump too.

Most Easterly Pandas · Nov 27, 2011

babbo_umbro said:
With the 1.1 engine a head gasket seems to be the best (worst?) bet.

Never heard that before. What makes you say that

Op has the coolant system been maintained? Coolant changes etc? Sisters 1.1 Active had to have a replacement radiator this time last year with 60k on the clock due to corrosion, however it seems this is because the car before we owned it had the rad filled with water

No problems since.

Have you had a good inspection of the radiator out of interest?

Jon.

jrkitching · Nov 27, 2011

Most Easterly Pandas said:
Sisters 1.1 Active had to have a replacement radiator this time last year with 60k on the clock due to corrosion, however it seems this is because the car before we owned it had the rad filled with water

Someone I know recently had to replace their entire central heating system at a cost of £6k+ because the previous owner couldn't be bothered to put £15 worth of corrosion inhibitor in it :bang::bang::bang::bang:,

Most Easterly Pandas · Nov 28, 2011

jrkitching said:
Someone I know recently had to replace their entire central heating system at a cost of £6k+ because the previous owner couldn't be bothered to put £15 worth of corrosion inhibitor in it :bang::bang::bang::bang:,

Ouch!

Dootson · Nov 28, 2011

I'm in the middle of replacing my radiator on my 1.1 active. It was on its original radiator from 2004, that's impressive considering that it spent 4 years of its life in Blackpool. Salt and water Wernt a problem for me.
A huge wacking brick fell off a builder lorry and went straight through, I could have saved the radiator but I thought I'd get a new one and flush the system and just give the engine bay I good old clean up

Most Easterly Pandas · Nov 29, 2011

Salt and water? Was it being driven on the beach regularly

Dootson · Nov 29, 2011

Previous owner just put water in the radiator and then in the winter use to pour salt over it to stop it freezing. Never heard of this being done before or since.

Most Easterly Pandas · Nov 29, 2011

Dootson said:
Previous owner just put water in the radiator and then in the winter use to pour salt over it to stop it freezing. Never heard of this being done before or since.

Lmao how bizarre!

varesecrazy · Nov 29, 2011

ours is pretty much how it left the factory,

I couldn't fathom the problem , so it's back at my preferred specialist.

we'll see what comes to light,

Charlie

trackdayqueen · Nov 30, 2011

Dootson said:
I'm in the middle of replacing my radiator on my 1.1 active. It was on its original radiator from 2004, that's impressive considering that it spent 4 years of its life in Blackpool. Salt and water Wernt a problem for me.

Is it just me that thinks a radiator lasting seven years is anything but impressive when car's (even really cheap ones) normally have a 10 year design life?

I know in this case the rad was damaged rather than failing, but I would expect a rad and heater matrix to last 15-20 years in all honesty! At least that's my experience with older cars.

As an example my current car has had a replacement rad, but the heater matrix is original and the car is 26 years old(!).

Pandablues · Nov 30, 2011

Nope, but we're seeing a lot of new drivers who are also new to cars in general, they seem to think anything lasting longer than five years is awesome - only car I ever changed a rad' on was a, very, old mini and that was only because I put a hole in it when fitting a free running fan. As for changing a heater matrix? :shrug:

Most Easterly Pandas · Nov 30, 2011

trackdayqueen said:
Is it just me that thinks a radiator lasting seven years is anything but impressive when car's (even really cheap ones) normally have a 10 year design life?

I know in this case the rad was damaged rather than failing, but I would expect a rad and heater matrix to last 15-20 years in all honesty! At least that's my experience with older cars.

As an example my current car has had a replacement rad, but the heater matrix is original and the car is 26 years old(!).

7 years isn't ideal but read between the lines and the abuse these rads that are being replaced have suffered. They havent exactly been maintained or looked after!

ivantate · Dec 3, 2011

10 year design life? Where did you get that from?

If the car has been on the motorway salt will be forced into every little crease and it will suffer far more than one on local slow runs.
Road conditions causing vibration etc.... will all change the life and are well within normal use for a car.

jrkitching · Dec 3, 2011

trackdayqueen said:
Is it just me that thinks a radiator lasting seven years is anything but impressive when car's (even really cheap ones) normally have a 10 year design life?

I know in this case the rad was damaged rather than failing, but I would expect a rad and heater matrix to last 15-20 years in all honesty! At least that's my experience with older cars.

As an example my current car has had a replacement rad, but the heater matrix is original and the car is 26 years old(!).

I'd agree. I'll bet the vast majority of 10+ yr old vehicles running on the road today are still on their original radiators. Provided the coolant is changed at the recommended intervals with the proper fluid, a radiator should last the life of the car.

What they won't tolerate, though, is running on plain water - without the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant, they'd be lucky to last 12 months, never mind 12 years.

varesecrazy · Dec 4, 2011

update;

no electrinic problems , scan was clean..,

so I'm going to do the head gasket over Xmas,

one question,
6 months ago I noticed a pink tinge to the spark plugs,( at their service change)

the current ones look normal..digestive biscuit colour..,
anyone else experienced weird coloured plug deposits?,
Charlie

Pandablues · Dec 4, 2011

Pink deposit was most probably from petrol....I've had sulphurous yellow deposits in the past (not on the Panda!)

varesecrazy · Dec 4, 2011

Pandablues said:
Pink deposit was most probably from petrol....I've had sulphurous yellow deposits in the past (not on the Panda!)

Thanks,
I was unsure back then.. , but now realise it could be a tinge from the RED modern coolant..,
however I've often seen rust spots on plugs with HG failures, and there are no signs of that,
I'm going to do the HG anyway just to rule that out, hopefully all in a day on the panda , as the older FIRE engines tended to take 3 hours,

Charlie

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