I've been having this problem with the Injection Panda for a while now. Mainly in 2nd and 3rd gear when accelerating the power keeps going for very short bursts. (The problem seems to be slightly reduced if you accelerate hard). It only happens once the engine is fully warmed up and is worse after doing a prelonged period at higher speeds. I have a feeling it is also worse pulling up-hill. Tonight I was almost home and it was doing it badly and then the throttle stuck completely open so I had to turn the engine off and park up and release the stuck valve.

I've given the throttle body a a good squirt with injection cleaner, run Redex through the system and changed the fuel filter. No joy so far. Any thoughts? Does the throttle sticking open suggest what the problem might be or is it unrelated? A year or so ago I had the lambda sensor replaced and the garage told me then that the throttle body was quite warn. Is this likely to be the cause?

Any suggestions gratefully received before I bite the bullet and take it in. I wish this car was as reliable as the 20 year old!

If the valve (throttle butterfly valve) is sticking that will be why the power keeps going when you take your foot off of the accelerator. There is a spring on that valve that shuts it when you lighten your right foot which could be the problem. If not the spring something else must be forcing it in the open position briefly.

Unsure if there is a heating element on the SPI unit which would heat the carb when the engine is cold? but some SPI's have this which works in conjunction with the auto choke but as said unsure if the panda's have this.

if the SPI unit used on the panda is the same as that on the cinq/punto etc (i suspect it is) then it has a water channel that runs through, which would warm it up.. so the garage saying it being a problem is rubbish..

Sorry. My spelling. I meant to say the throttle body was worn! Apart from last night when the throttle stuck open, the problem has been intermittent power loss not acceleration when I didn't want it - my wording again! It's much worse than the usual fire engine flat spot, it's very jerky. I wondered whether there might be a problem with the throttle that could cause this as well?

The SPI is not in short supply although I had to cannabalise mine, so I'm sure someone will have a spare or two. Just replace it I'm sure no more than £10 will get you a used one

Alan.D said:

The SPI is not in short supply although I had to cannabalise mine, so I'm sure someone will have a spare or two. Just replace it I'm sure no more than £10 will get you a used one

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Where's Allen?

wow "FREAKY" ...yesterday i told graham (SPROX) that i'd had the same problem with pink floyd, coming home.....going along quite happily when i just seemed to loose about 1/3rd of the power then it surged forward again .happened a couple of times and once again this morning. on entering "the twiglet zone" could this be a bouganvillea colour problem this week ????
oh well means i get to play the in 126 instead of f*****g pink up till graham gets home
gina X

Yeah, looks like I might be calling on Allen again!

Thinking about it, I reckon I had a similar problem ages ago only less severe. When the garage had the SPI apart and changed the lambda sensor it seemed to go away.

How many other BR pandas are there in the UK? Do you think they are all kangarooing along the road this week...?

Sorry having a thick moment....what is a BR Panda?

Bougainvillea Rosso.

Didn't realise that was a type of Panda Just thought it was a wierd user name

Not a type, just a colour.

Thanks for the clarification, I'm almost ready to sit the Panda exam now

super man to the rescue is it the bit below the spi your after let me know

Bougainvillea Rosso said:

Not a type, just a colour.

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Alan.D said:

Thanks for the clarification, I'm almost ready to sit the Panda exam now

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I just realized it could have been a British Rail Panda

Allen - I'm not exactly sure yet. As soon as I've found out I'll PM you and you can have another trip to the zoo

lol ...a "british rail panda"
another B.R panda in Exeter ...spotted it twice now , seems to be in decent condition and has ignored me both times (whilst frantically waving and flashing lights !)....wonder why ?

THATS MEN FOR YOU :worship:

posh pandas said:

lol ...a "british rail panda"
another B.R panda in Exeter ...spotted it twice now , seems to be in decent condition and has ignored me both times (whilst frantically waving and flashing lights !)....wonder why ?

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Flashing

WAS IT MALE OR FEMALE DRIVING THE OTHER PANDA

posh pandas said:

lol ...a "british rail panda"
another B.R panda in Exeter ...spotted it twice now , seems to be in decent condition and has ignored me both times (whilst frantically waving and flashing lights !)....wonder why ?

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This happened to me and it was the little grommet on the throttle cable that was loose. This allowed it to move up and down and get wedged under the plastic ring on the butterfly shaft.

Alan.D said:

The SPI is not in short supply although I had to cannabalise mine, so I'm sure someone will have a spare or two. Just replace it I'm sure no more than £10 will get you a used one

Click to expand...

This is from a Uno but should be the same as a Panda? It's been described as a carburetor but going by all the extra bits it looks more like it is a throttle body. £1 at the moment!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiat-UNO-Fire...3QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10382QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem