Technical Catching fourth gear

mwcf · Feb 19, 2014

The Panda 1.2 (12 plate 9k mile) my dealer gave me to run around in is quite a perky likeable little car! Not fast but willingly zippy with a swift neat gear change. Kinda takes me back to how Ford Fiestas felt in the 80s - light and simple. I'm giving it quite a few beans and getting 44mpg. It really is a surprisingly decent little car.

I'll be getting an update on the 4x4 TA gearbox situation tomorrow.

jrkitching · Feb 20, 2014

mwcf said:
The Panda 1.2 (12 plate 9k mile) my dealer gave me to run around in is quite a perky likeable little car! Not fast but willingly zippy with a swift neat gear change. Kinda takes me back to how Ford Fiestas felt in the 80s - light and simple. I'm giving it quite a few beans and getting 44mpg. It really is a surprisingly decent little car.

The 1.2 Panda is a surprisingly capable little car and if bought new with the right discount

, tremendous value for money.

IMO this is what FIAT are best at - producing small, reliable, economical cars which undercut all but the crappiest of the competition.

mwcf · Feb 20, 2014

The verdict is in.

Gearbox being replaced under warranty.

More details to follow.

Alsatian1 · Feb 21, 2014

mwcf said:
The verdict is in.

Gearbox being replaced under warranty.

More details to follow.

Same here! Got a phone call last night. Only problem was I hadnt left my locking wheel nut key with them, and ive been stuck at work on an overnight shift til this afternoon. Luckily my brother is dropping it in for me

all going to plan I will have my panda back this afternoon.

Alsatian1 · Feb 21, 2014

Alsatian1;341991 Only problem was I hadnt left my locking wheel nut key with them[/QUOTE said:
I know this is a typical numpty thing to do, but I have never had a car with alloys before lol so forgot

mwcf · Feb 21, 2014

Alsatian1 said:
Same here! Got a phone call last night. Only problem was I hadnt left my locking wheel nut key with them, and ive been stuck at work on an overnight shift til this afternoon. Luckily my brother is dropping it in for me all going to plan I will have my panda back this afternoon.

What.....they've sourced, ordered and got you a new replacement gearbox from Italy already?!

mwcf · Feb 21, 2014

Alsatian1 said:
Same here! Got a phone call last night. Only problem was I hadnt left my locking wheel nut key with them, and ive been stuck at work on an overnight shift til this afternoon. Luckily my brother is dropping it in for me all going to plan I will have my panda back this afternoon.

From your comment re the LWN, it sounds as though the 'old' faulty gearbox is still in your car and that they decided to replace it just on the strength of having dropped the oil.....

Alsatian1 · Feb 21, 2014

mwcf said:
From your comment re the LWN, it sounds as though the 'old' faulty gearbox is still in your car and that they decided to replace it just on the strength of having dropped the oil.....

I will check what they have done when I collect. I was told they had a gearbox sorted so to me that means new, although it does seem quick.

varesecrazy · Feb 21, 2014

Alsatian1 said:
I will check what they have done when I collect. I was told they had a gearbox sorted so to me that means new, although it does seem quick.

if it's a common fitment.. then I suppose there was a chance it was in UK stock--Punto perhaps..??

Alsatian1 · Feb 21, 2014

Hmmm, no car back, something about a clutch having been ordered which will be there on Monday.

mwcf · Feb 21, 2014

Alsatian1 said:
Hmmm, no car back, something about a clutch having been ordered which will be there on Monday.

That's odd. I thought that any hold-up was because they didn't have your locking wheel nut?!

Would have thought that your existing clutch would be fine. Even if metal swarf in your gearbox oil when dropped, wouldn't affect clutch as separate oil for each. Plus if they already have your new replacement gearbox, and they also for some reason think your car needs a new clutch, then surely they'd have ordered/got it at the same time as the box?!

mwcf · Feb 21, 2014

varesecrazy said:
if it's a common fitment.. then I suppose there was a chance it was in UK stock--Punto perhaps..??

Highly unlikely as my dealer is having to order from Italy as - reasonably enough for a new model - no replacement inventory in UK. Takes 5-6 days for new box to come from Italy to dealer. Mine ordered Wed should be here next Mon-Wed. If Alsation1's ordered say late last week, then perfectly feasible for it to have been with his dealer yesterday or today.

varesecrazy · Feb 21, 2014

mwcf said:
That's odd. I thought that any hold-up was because they didn't have your locking wheel nut?!

Would have thought that your existing clutch would be fine. Even if metal swarf in your gearbox oil when dropped, wouldn't affect clutch as separate oil for each.

wet clutch..,
I'll have to have a PROPER look under my TA,
Chalrie

mwcf · Feb 21, 2014

varesecrazy said:
wet clutch..,
I'll have to have a PROPER look under my TA,
Chalrie

Hey I'm no expert and am merely guessing/surmising that the TA clutch is wet. Happy to be corrected if and as required.

Most Easterly Pandas · Feb 21, 2014

I'd be very surprised if it is, would even say no logic to it bring wet as apposed to dry. They might be fitting a new clutch just to rule it out also

mwcf · Feb 21, 2014

Most Easterly Pandas said:
I'd be very surprised if it is, would even say no logic to it bring wet as apposed to dry. They might be fitting a new clutch just to rule it out also

Noted. The OP's gearbox in common with mine only has the intermittent brief grating issue when shifting 5th to 4th. It is therefore logical and reasonable to postulate that were the clutch involved then all shifts would be adversely affected no??

So far as I am presently aware, my dealer is replacing the box only, but I will discuss with them further at my earliest opportunity.

Alsatian1 · Feb 22, 2014

Sorry for late reply, bit of a foggy head at the minute for something completely not related to alcohol... It is strange as the locking wheel nut key was with them first thing in the morning so that wouldn't have been a problem. When I rang at about four, that was when I was told about the clutch part. I will get a complete run down of what they have done and parts etc... On hopefully Monday.

Now for a strong coffee :banghead:

Most Easterly Pandas · Feb 22, 2014

mwcf said:
Noted. The OP's gearbox in common with mine only has the intermittent brief grating issue when shifting 5th to 4th. It is therefore logical and reasonable to postulate that were the clutch involved then all shifts would be adversely affected no??

Agreed, in theory it should be all gears if the clutch. Unless when removing the box they've discovered another separate fault with the clutch?

Shaston · Feb 22, 2014

It's a bit worrying.. all these gearbox/clutch problems on new vehicles. I assumed a transmission designed for off road use would be 'bulletproof'.

Most Easterly Pandas · Feb 23, 2014

Shaston said:
It's a bit worrying.. all these gearbox/clutch problems on new vehicles. I assumed a transmission designed for off road use would be 'bulletproof'.

Its a new car, bound to have teething problems on a few, that is what a warranty is for after all. Unfortunately there is very little in life that is bulletproof on modern vehicles these days.

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