Decided it was time to check the valve clearances on my CLX today as the engine has got a little tappety recently. All are within tolerance apart from one which has closed up a little too much. However I am struggling to remove the shim, seems like I will have to modify a screwdriver so i can get the correct leverage and push the valve bucket down without pushing the shim aswell but just wondering if anyone has any tips on how to do it?

Best to buy the special tool for this purpose, do a Google search, several company's offer this tool.

I can't seem to find a tool for the FIRE engine for sale, apart from going to my dealer. It seems it is just a bent screwdriver anyway, will see what I can do tomorrow.

i always give up and just take the cam off

Yes, may well end up doing that if I can't manage it tomorrow.

Two screwdrivers will do as well...

So I've managed to get the shims out, bent a screwdriver to almost 90 degrees and ground down the end so I can push down both buckets on the cylinder. The shim can then be gently levered out of the bucket and then pulled from under the cam with a magnet. Just need the correct size shim now

If you measured it before you removed it then you will know what size you need.
The size is marked on the shim in mm
Order from Fiat or sort through the toolbox of a long term Panda owner

Clearance is 0.23mm, should be 0.30mm. Size is not marked on the shim but it measures as 4.03, presumably it was originally 4.05, yet the clearence is still too small I've ordered a 3.95mm shim which I should get on Tuesday from my local dealer. £8 plus vat

clearence gets smaller as valve wears into its seat

dave said:

clearence gets smaller as valve wears into its seat

Click to expand...

odd though as all the other inlet valves are between 0.3 and 0.35 and the engine has only done 26,000 miles.

New shim is in, but the annoying ticking sound remains, sounds like its coming from the throttle body area but unless it is a plug lead arcing somewhere I am not sure what else it could be.

don't you have a radio?

Nope

It's a Panda

They make odd noises

Get over it

cheekylittlescamp said:

It's a Panda

They make odd noises

Get over it

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Not when it didn't do it before, anyway I've found the source of the noise, it seems when I changed the spark plugs a couple of years ago I didn't tighten number 3 up properly, so it has worked loose and the noise was air being forced up the thread. At least it was a simple fix and I know the valve clearances are correct now.

panda1408 said:

Not when it didn't do it before, anyway I've found the source of the noise, it seems when I changed the spark plugs a couple of years ago I didn't tighten number 3 up properly, so it has worked loose and the noise was air being forced up the thread. At least it was a simple fix and I know the valve clearances are correct now.

Click to expand...

Well there you go then, always worse when the problem was self created

Pinky started making some loud clonking noises - I think it's the back bumper flapping around, or the exhaust. Found green garden string in the back but no cable ties.
Surely it's a condition of Panda ownership to have cable ties in the boot

I've never carried any tools etc in my Panda's apart from the standard jack, wheelbrace and screwdriver, even when doing long trips I don't bother. Never had one break down on me so far

panda1408 said:

Clearance is 0.23mm, should be 0.30mm. Size is not marked on the shim but it measures as 4.03, presumably it was originally 4.05, yet the clearence is still too small I've ordered a 3.95mm shim which I should get on Tuesday from my local dealer. £8 plus vat

Click to expand...

For future reference. Valve shims are shared between different makes. After much searching when I did my engine a couple of years ago I found this lot.

http://www.eurocarcare.net/

£2.40
http://www.eurocarcare.net/timing/8290.html

nitro_warrior said:

After much searching when I did my engine a couple of years ago I found this lot.

http://www.eurocarcare.net/

Click to expand...

I've used Big Mick, there, for quite a few things, now -- for both the Punto and Mk2 Panda. Not only is he the most helpful guy on the planet (even willing to do business by email, because I'm so deaf...); but his prices are pretty competitive; and, if he doesn't have something in stock, he'll either source it for you, or try and find you a cheaper alternative -- even if it's from another supplier. Can't speak highly enough.... :worship:

PS: I should now go and put this in the suppliers sticky, shouldn't I...?