Just sat and typed this out but lost it

Anyway, tried to replace my antifreeze. Couldn't get the lower radiator hose off. As far as I'm aware this is the only way to drain the coolant.

Tried to loosen the clip, loosened it. Would. Not. Budge.

Ended up with pliers and ended up pulling the clip out more than it should be / ruining it from inside the ankle joint.

Think I need to buy a new ankle joint to be safe as this one I'm worried will blow under pressure or come loose over time. And even if I did get it off, think I've ruined the metal clip inside the plastic ankle joint :-(

So I still need to get my coolant changed, have the big 5L bottle there of it, and am seriously considering taking it to my local Fiat Donelly & Taggart garage.. :-(

Attached some photos to show the clip and part I'm referring to, you might also see how I've damaged it.

Might get a new whole hose / clip / joint assembly on eBay and get a mechanic to fit it even?

Scared to move my car now :-(

Please tell me your recommendations and what I should do / similar experiences you've had?

Non air conditioning 1.2 petrol Panda 2005.

images

Just wondering, I found a non-genuine part on eBay, would this suffice or is it really worth going to Fiat for a genuine part? I usually prefer genuine and will pay extra but I want to be sure there's good reason to do so


Also, how will I get the current one off safely is my main point I'd like to find out for this thread! Thanks in advance

SB1500 said:

Just wondering, I found a non-genuine part on eBay, would this suffice or is it really worth going to Fiat for a genuine part? I usually prefer genuine and will pay extra but I want to be sure there's good reason to do so


Also, how will I get the current one off safely is my main point I'd like to find out for this thread! Thanks in advance

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Most Easterly Pandas has used this method,

I couldn't get mine to release - that's why I said cut off the hose clip and replace it with a Jubilee in your initial question last week,


shop4parts can probably supply a new joint, and clip,


Charlie

The quick release clips seem to be hit and miss how well they work. If you can't shift it then remove the silver jubilee like clip (they're normally once use unless you've the right tool) and replace it with a normal jubilee clip after you've yanked the rubber pipe off the quick release joint and done your draining

I've already tampered with / ruined the clip on the plastic ankle to the tank itself ? worried it'll blow off. What do I do about this?

I have no problem doing that with the actual hose. What size and strength of jubilee clip is needed? With it being an engine part it'd need to be strong and all

I'm quite certain any will be fine. When I needed one a guy at my local market sold me 5 for a euro and its still fine after years. Try and get one that fits comfortably and is wide enough so you can tighten it without it cutting the hose. Good luck

Thanks daveofkent , Are the clips easy enough to put on?

Actually tempted taking it down to a mechanic tomorrow, I guess it's a 10 minute job for them and they've got experience getting the parts off. I have the antifreeze and all so hopefully they'll not charge me.

Worried I'll not install the clip securely enough (or get one that can't cope with the pressure and heat of the radiator hose) and break off spilling coolant all over the road and making the car over heat :-(

Jubilee clips are something its difficult to go wrong with I put almost zero thought in to any of it, I'm sure you'll be fine. If you worry too much you'll never be able to drive your car without thinking something will explode.

* duplicate post * please remove, sorry

daveofkent said:

Jubilee clips are something its difficult to go wrong with I put almost zero thought in to any of it, I'm sure you'll be fine. If you worry too much you'll never be able to drive your car without thinking something will explode.

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Okay, so will the jubilee clip go over the plastic ankle (or inside it like the quick release clip is?). I'm heading out soon will try and get a set, you say any should be fine? Fingers crossed lol

Tried to make a diagram to explain the situation a bit more..

I have actually ruined / warped a bit of the metal quick release so I don't think it's securely / properly on and will likely need replaced.

I know you guys are saying to put a jubilee clip on the hose-to-ankle area, but this would still leave the problem of the bent quick release which I fear will not hold over time and could result in a total loss of coolant on the road..

Will I need a new part or can a jubilee clip replace the quick release in the slot where the current metal clip sits. Would this involve putting the new clip inside the ankle joint? Quite confused over this.

Secondly.. how the hell do I get that ankle joint off? Other than about 1mm of left and right movement I could not make it budge at all. It's as well bonded on as it was when we started but without the correct function of the quick release I don't think it'll be okay to simple leave it? No idea how to get it off in any case :-(

The quick-release should be squeezed from both sides to release. So while squeezing, you then have to jiggle it out of the rad. Only way I could do mine was to lie underneath and squeeze with large slip-joint pliers. Being underneath, as soon as it moves you will drown, so need to be ready with the quick exit and a bucket.

Having already damaged the quick-release clip, you'll need a new hose and elbow unit, as the elbow is not available separately, unless you can find one on ebay.

It seems a great idea, only really any good for the production line build, saves time there.

portland_bill said:

The quick-release should be squeezed from both sides to release. So while squeezing, you then have to jiggle it out of the rad. Only way I could do mine was to lie underneath and squeeze with large slip-joint pliers. Being underneath, as soon as it moves you will drown, so need to be ready with the quick exit and a bucket.

Having already damaged the quick-release clip, you'll need a new hose and elbow unit, as the elbow is not available separately, unless you can find one on ebay.

It seems a great idea, only really any good for the production line build, saves time there.

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So a new part is needed :-( Hopefully Fiat won't rob me for it. Otherwise, would an eBay alternative do the job? I can't conclude on whether cheaping out on a cooling system component would do damage / make me more likely to have problems over a genuine part in the near future :-o


If I'm putting a new part on, am I safe to remove the quick release metal to ease getting off my now damaged ankle joint? :S

thanks for your reply

Might this part work?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Brav...640517?hash=item21052b3d05:g:VvYAAOSwu-BWO3hc

That is a genuine part from a long-established Fiat dealer, so if it is the right one for your car, go for it.

portland_bill said:

That is a genuine part from a long-established Fiat dealer, so if it is the right one for your car, go for it.

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He told me he'd find the one for my Panda 1.2 (Non air-conditioning), however the price was £60 incl P&P.

The car is down with a mechanic now, showed them the part and my problem as well as instructing them I had antifreeze in the boot. Hopefully I'll hear back soon and won't need a new part, but I dont know how much to expect to be billed for, hopefully less than £40?!

Otherwise I'll need that new part and to probably pay them to fit it :-(

Follow Up: Solution Reached?

So I'm taking the car back tomorrow, this is the follow up to the thread... Hopefully

The mechanic said he drained replaced the antifreeze, bled the system, fitted it all back together. He says "the joint is in there tight enough and I gave it a good run to make sure it was all working well". £25 all in all (he used my own Halfords Antifreeze 5L).

I said, should I replace the hose anyway in due course? "You could but that should be fine now just keep an eye on it".

So now I'm hoping that's me sorted, antifreeze fine until 4-5 years time


FYI: I mentioned the bit I'd destroyed/tampered with, he said he saw it so the problem has been understood by him at least. I'm sure his solution must be highly likely to work otherwise I'm sure he's aware a sudden leak caused by his solution would destroy my engine in seconds from overheating? He mentioned he put a jubilee clip on it somewhere too?

Re: Follow Up: Solution Reached?

If you've got one of the models with the built-in expansion tank at the side of the radiator, you can avoid the risk of damaging the bottom hose & fitting by syphoning out the coolant.

You will get just as much out as you would by disconnecting the bottom hose; I once removed a bottom hose after syphoning to check; nothing further came out.

Unless you actually need to flush the system (which you shouldn't unless you've left it far too long or there are other problems such as a blown head gasket), it's easier, quicker, and far less risky, particularly if you're inexperienced in dealing with things mechanical.

Re: Follow Up: Solution Reached?

jrkitching said:

If you've got one of the models with the built-in expansion tank at the side of the radiator, you can avoid the risk of damaging the bottom hose & fitting by syphoning out the coolant.

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It might seem obvious to everyone here but for anyone reading this in the future and about to head to the shed for a short length of tube. Antifreeze is really poisonous, dont take the risk at all to syphon by mouth