Hello Everyone ! New to This forum

My wife's car developed some strange noise. Any ideas what it could be ?
Car had head gasket changed about 5 months ago ,together with new cambelt and water pump,everything was fine until last week. Noise seems to be louder everyday.

Car is a 2004 Fiat Panda 1.1 8V

I've made a short video of the noise , but can't attach it till i write 5 post (rules)

I believe the noise is coming from from the cylinder head

No warning lights, Oil and Coolant levels are OK

Many thanks for any suggestions !

head gasket is on upside down blocking the oil gallery

Oh dear ! Thanks for reply.
Would it fit upside down ?

wieczor25 said:

Oh dear ! Thanks for reply.
Would it fit upside down ?

Click to expand...

YES - unfortunately.. BUT 5 months with no oil supply.. ,

sounds unlikely,

TBH it doesn't look like it was done well though.. = missing heat shield, etc,


Charlie - 2004 1.1 Active

Sambo2508 said:

head gasket is on upside down blocking the oil gallery

Click to expand...

remove air filter box, then 4 x M6 screws retaining the rocker cover,

you'll soon see if it's been run dry of oil,
10 minutes and you'll know

Charlie

It does sound as if there is no oil inside the top. Diagnosis of blocked oilway seems likely.
DO NOT use it until you've taken the top off and looked. Damage is already done, but it is still working, once oil supply restored it may work for years, just noisy. If you paid someone to replace the gasket, they may be in for a heavy rectification bill.

I did see a 7-year old Rover V8 once with no oil drilling through one head. The rocker gear on that side had been lubricated only by the oil from top-ups and service fills as it was the side with the filler that had no oilway. lasted 80,000 miles before the rocker gear became noisy, so 5 months for this one is not a surprise. (Despite age of car, Rover paid for a new head and the labour, etc.)

Thank you all for suggestions.
I took the rocker cover off this morning, it looks you guys were right regarding the oil starvation. There appears to be some grinded metal paste in right corner , on both the head and the cam cover.
Got some pics and video of it running without the cover.

In those 5 months car did under 2k miles , as it's our second car.
Car was fixed by a friend of mine ,and I only paid for the parts + head skimming so there is no warranty.
Have i got to get a new head for it ? or will it need complete engine ?

Personally, I'd fix the oilway issue so that the oil is flowing inside the head. Beyond that, do nothing. Sure it's worn a little but it'll run forever. Less noisily when it's bathing in oil.


The car doesn't warrant spending too much.

So what part of "DO NOT use it until you've taken the top off and looked." are you struggling with?

Get the head off and confirm that the gasket is the problem.
Whilst off, clean it thoroughly to remove ALL debris.
Make sure the oil feed pipe is clear.
Refit with a new gasket, the correct way up, fill with new oil, and run it from there. It is still running now, so it will only be better with an oil supply.

We didn't use the car, i bought her little Clio to drive around whilst Panda is off the road, and i got my own car. Simply didn't have time and weather was bad , that's why i didn't take the cam cover off until now.

Now i'm trying to decide whether to buy a used head (£80? ) or risking using the current head and stripping it off again if it's still noisy.

But you did run the engine to make the video.

Whether you change the head, or just the gasket, cost of gasket, oil, coolant, etc., will be the same.

Firstly you must remove the head, to be sure that it is the gasket restricting the oil supply. Don't spend any money until this is done.

If gasket is the problem, replacement will regain the oil supply. If the hardening on the cam lobes and followers has not been breached, they will go on for ever if lubricated, so no need for a replacement head. It will continue to be noisier than an unworn one, but quieter with oil in than without.

If a replacement head is available, and in good condition, then that will be a good option. BUT. Must ensure head is same. There are three stages of Panda head, original square push-in oil filler, mid, round screw-in filler, and later round screw-in filler with variable timing, from 2010. (70hp) Will also need to ensure all valves are sealing properly.

Personally if happy with cam lobe condition, I'd go with gasket only.

What else could stop the oil supply ?
Is it common for oil pump to fail on those ?
I've seen few heads on ebay but they are of 1.2 , and mine is 1.1
like this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161766235745?euid=d6c6dfb8f3de4f4bb048482a85400655&cp=1

and this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131565343775?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


and lastly the most expensive one, also for 1.2, but the part number matches mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171521923670?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

wieczor25 said:

What else could stop the oil supply ?
Is it common for oil pump to fail on those ?
I've seen few heads on ebay but they are of 1.2 , and mine is 1.1
like this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161766235745?euid=d6c6dfb8f3de4f4bb048482a85400655&cp=1

and this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131565343775?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


and lastly the most expensive one, also for 1.2, but the part number matches mine:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171521923670?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Click to expand...

oil pumps can and do fail..but far from common,

:idea: when was oil filter / oil last changed..??,

if the pump / supply was dodgy the oil pressure light should NOT go out on start-up though


who did the HG last time..??

did they charge for new head bolts - they can be used / torqued twice..!!

Charlie

Oil+ filter was changed at the same time as HG,5 months 2k miles ago.
Oil light goes off as it supposed to, so i guess pump is OK ?
New bolts were used.
Job was done by a friend of mine.