Has anyone with the 12 onward Panda had an exhaust yet. My 63 plate TA 4x4 has a blowing exhaust. When it gets worse will need sorting (have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever). As the 4x4 has a slightly different layout at the very back, has anyone had a problem themselves at 3 years old and how easy was it to sort? Thanks
Technical Panda Twin Air (4x4 or 2wd- Exhaust Life)
- Thread starter Al D
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Technical Panda Twin Air (4x4 or 2wd- Exhaust Life)
babbo_umbro
Established member
Done 39000 miles in a March '13 4x4 TA with no problems, despite grounding it on a mountain track in Italy. I think one of the problems with turbo cars is that the rear end of the exhaust doesn't necessarily get hot enough as so much of its energy has been extracted to drive the turbo.
The factory fit FIAT items are generally pretty good. The older panda had a 2nd skin that peeled at 3 years..but they were generally gastight for 4 to 6..
I would ask a local garage to have a look/quote...
There is a chance its a small blow from a joint..some systems just do the noise without a real issue. The MOT should pick up any real issues. Charlie . Oxford
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Mine's a month off being three years old, and at 40,500 miles, and all is fine - the exhaust is still quite shiny in places (MJ engine)
The flexible coupling (which is more or less under your feet when driving) is fraying slightly (and that's where my 2005 model eventually fell apart - but it took years for that to happen.)
Have you offroaded it much -- that coupling is often the bit that touches the ground first. There is only one joint in the system, at that flexible part. From there all the way to the tailpipe is one piece, including the horizontal silencer. And in front of that the only other connection is to the turbo. So, really no where it could be blowing from.
The part numbered '5' in this diagram is the complete, one-piece 4x4 exhaust. (The 2wd has a two part rear section, parts 1 and 4) - https://www.fiatdalys.lt/en/catalog...FA31200003210975/0/0/0/rear-and-central-pipes
The flexible coupling (which is more or less under your feet when driving) is fraying slightly (and that's where my 2005 model eventually fell apart - but it took years for that to happen.)
Have you offroaded it much -- that coupling is often the bit that touches the ground first. There is only one joint in the system, at that flexible part. From there all the way to the tailpipe is one piece, including the horizontal silencer. And in front of that the only other connection is to the turbo. So, really no where it could be blowing from.
The part numbered '5' in this diagram is the complete, one-piece 4x4 exhaust. (The 2wd has a two part rear section, parts 1 and 4) - https://www.fiatdalys.lt/en/catalog...FA31200003210975/0/0/0/rear-and-central-pipes
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Thanks to all. Only discovered noise after folding seats to fit box in the boot. And the turbo Wastegate "chirrup" had changed for the worse. Car never been off-road to my knowledge. Park on my old works car park once a week and there's a slope up with a drop on other side. So something may have stretched or loosened. Will try and get it looked at this week and report back.
My Punto TA, is very "throaty" in the rearbox ( it's like a RoyalEnfield exhaust..)
I suspect making the rear floorpan less isolated from the cabin had accentuated this feature..
I suspect making the rear floorpan less isolated from the cabin had accentuated this feature..
gar074
Prominent member
My TA's more farty than throaty, tbh - but at least it's characterful!
Mine is a little rusty here and there, but that's all after 4+ years.
Car went to my mechanic yesterday. He put some exhaust putty on at the front of the car (Herts Hillhopper suggested there's a join under driver's feet). Anyway, it's worked. He also checked the condition of the air filter and plugs. So major service parts last a couple of years, so that's good. Hope to have some snow to play in before long. Very few of the neighbours have front wheel drive to my four and we live at the top of the hill. Think neighbour opposite has winter tyres on his rear wheel drive works van. Should be fun.
The general consensus is that, in true winter conditions, a 2WD car on winter tyres will outperform a 4WD car on summer tyres in all respects except traction.
There's an interesting video in this thread which is well worth a watch.
The danger in running a 4x4 on summer tyres in winter is that the additional traction will get you into a situation where the braking & handling are unable to cope.
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Handy then that Fiat supply the 4x4 Panda with Winter tyres from the factory (Continental CrossContact Winter tyres to be specific)
Interesting to note though that the Panda 4x4 Cross model is supplied with 'all season tyres' - so may not be quite so good (but I'd wager that 4x4 and all seasons is better than 2WD and full winter tyres, especially with the complex 4x4 and ELD systems in action too)
I considered a Twin Air Trekking and putting winter tyres on. Would I have regretted it, we'll never know. I've had a hot hatch with 4 very expensive winter tyres. In cold weather, grip amazing. My Dad considered a 2wd Vauxhall Antara and putting winter tyres on that, it would have been fine I'm sure. His current 4x4 has summer tyres (when new it had all seasons), it will either cope in snow or it won't. Has the 3 stage dial that the Panda Cross has. Nearest I've been off road was diving up the verge as a bus was coming the other way. And avoiding something else and planting my Panda on a couple of stones hidden in the grass. Am hopeful about braking on slush, that kind of thing, my last Panda 1.2 was a bit twitchy. Though it drove the 7 miles home no problem. Maybe it's all in my head....
My second Panda TA 4x4 has major exhaust leak at flexi joint part. Worse than my 63 plate at beginning of this thread. Little noisier than used to be at 70mph. Guess will see how long it lasts. Could be £400 exc fitting. Oh well.
Edit: Is this as it sounds?! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLAMP-ON...2a8d7ff502:g:VvEAAOSwX~dWsLbR&redirect=mobile
Edit: Is this as it sounds?! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLAMP-ON...2a8d7ff502:g:VvEAAOSwX~dWsLbR&redirect=mobile
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gar074
Prominent member
If it's just the flexi, it might be cheaper to get a new one welded in by an exhaust specialist than replace the whole system.
No issues with my 20@3 punto..
Do fiat list the part?
Charlie
Do fiat list the part?
Charlie
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When I had my Alfa 147 my local specialist fitted an after market flexible - no welding required and certainly less than 50 quid.
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Came across this. So confident place I know should be able to measure and get right bit. 
https://m.buycarparts.co.uk/fiat/panda-312/56748/12975/flex-pipe
https://m.buycarparts.co.uk/fiat/panda-312/56748/12975/flex-pipe
Got Panda repaired today, joint effort from garage I know of and a welding place across the yard. New flexpipe welded in. £129. Cheaper than £600 for whole exhaust. Anyone with similar issue, can be sorted. ?
