Hi guys,

As far as I'm aware the Panda is based on the MK2 Punto. I've been reading a lot about the MK2 punto suffering from rust on the oil sump, leading to expensive repairs and oil leaking straight out.

Now, does the Panda have the same issues, or is the sump different?

I'm just wondering as it's good to know.

Thanks,

Matt.

Hi Matt,

It most certainly does suffer from the same issue! The way to prevent it is to add several extra layers of paint and check it once a year, just like you should be doing over the whole car. This is especially important when the car gets older

Hi,

Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. Mine is 6 years old and upon looking under our Panda, the sump looks like new. I'll certainly start looking after it though if it begins to show any sign of aging.

I wonder why FIAT didn't sort this out? I wonder if the newer 2012- Panda has the same issue.

Matt

I had a new sump on my 53 reg Panda last year. I though about painting the new one but was concerned about the effect on oil cooling. It's probably ok but don't use hammerite.

http://www.techlinecoatings.com/articles/Coating_The_Oil_Pan_Article.htm

Interesting tech article about not painting oil pans with normal paint. Must be completely unbiased, written by a specialist oil pan coating manufacturer!

I paint the Fiat cheapo tin oil pan with Hammerite, because it avoids the Fiat rust syndrome - and because my car will never reach those extremes where such a coating becomes a disaster. Better slightly hotter oil than no oil!

Wonder how the trend towards plastic oil pans affects oil temperatures?

That link is a prime example of 'blinding with science' .

"First, by being applied in a very thin coat, it does not significantly reduce the surface area of the pan. "

Surely the thicker the coat the larger the surface area?!

The Panda Multijet anyway is VASTLY over cooled and a lagging jacket around the sump might be a bonus .Ive blanked off the radiator as have others on the forum .

On an oldish Panda I'd be painting it with whatever was in the shed ( have just added 'paint rusty Panda sump' to my TO DO list !

I don't paint my sump. Just wipe it over with an oily rag after every oil change. No sign of rust anywhere.

matty23 said:

Hi guys,
As far as I'm aware the Panda is based on the MK2 Punto.

Click to expand...

Nope, not really, same engine series, but the FIRE engine was about long before the Punto was conceived

Does the car miss the undertray?

That could explain why the sump rusts.

fpan said:

Does the car miss the undertray?

That could explain why the sump rusts.

Click to expand...

There is no under tray on the mk3 Panda, at least not the 1.1 & 1.2 petrol.

My Merc has three undertrays shielding the entire underside of the car.
Take them off and you can see rust, so undertrays don't stop rust.
At the Mot I got a sort of advisory - 'Plastic shields prevent inspection of certain components'.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Nope, not really, same engine series, but the FIRE engine was about long before the Punto was conceived

Click to expand...

I agree with the OP. I've had both and mechanically the Panda looks like an updated MK2 Punto to me.

Shires said:

I agree with the OP. I've had both and mechanically the Panda looks like an updated MK2 Punto to me.

Click to expand...

The engine and gearbox are similar, but that is about where the similarities end. The Punto and Panda are 2 completely different cars, just like the Panda, GP and 500 are all different cars. They share engines (and in some cases gearboxes) and that is it.

Ah OK, my 100HP has an undertray and I assumed they are all the same.

Also my friend's Subaru that has been missing the undertray had a rusty sump that ended up with a hole, mine with an undertray had no problems.

fpan said:

Ah OK, my 100HP has an undertray and I assumed they are all the same.

Also my friend's Subaru that has been missing the undertray had a rusty sump that ended up with a hole, mine with an undertray had no problems.

Click to expand...

From memory the 100HP also has an alloy sump and not steel, which helps as it doesn't rust

Ah, that explains why

I don't see the "don't paint your sump" argument at all.

Hammerite won't really affect the cooling (remember, if you'd painting a sump that is already starting to rust, you're recovering missing paint), just don't slap on gallons, it'll barely be thicker than normal and these engines in standard tune aren't at all marginal on oil cooling.

Only really start to become marginal if you strap a turbo to it

Most Easterly Pandas said:

From memory the 100HP also has an alloy sump and not steel, which helps as it doesn't rust

Click to expand...

But doesn't help when you hit grapefruit sized rocks 'disguised' in snow/slush ...:-(