(T) Panda 4x4 Antarctica very low miles, some queries

I would offer the educated guess that by specifying the "thinner" oil it will be operating the valve gear, almost from the cold get go, as it will when the oil is hot. With a lot of oil rushing around through drillings and valves I would guess that the cold performance of the thicker oil will be measurably different to when it's hot and possibly this has been found to be detrimental.

If I owned one, regardless of it's age, I would opt for the thinner oil. - Did I really just say that? I remember, back in the days when Q20/50 ruled the roost I was appalled at the first 5w40 oil change I did. Surely it can't be good for it to run on this "water"? now-a-days 5w40 is just a medium grade lube!

Had to call garage back today because my security lug nut was nowhere to be seen, it is kept in my glove compartment. Whilst on the phone I asked if the oil sump had been drilled out, plugged then re tapped or just re tapped, unfortunately just re tapped so will be keeping an eye on the garage floor.

Also asked a couple of questions about the oil they used, because it was a different spec that was written in service book to that of what was written on the receipt. He assured me that they check what oil is needed and it was definitely C2 5w/30.

Chr1s advised that maybe in the long term this could be harmful.

Anyway they dropped off the security lug nut about tea time, but it really doesn't install you with confidence.

Al D also mentioned a garage in Loanhead that might be better, but its a wee bit away.

@Il Karro suggested place at Loanhead as somewhere could book car in for oil change and wait while do it. Bet they can get 0w 30 C2 oil and reset service and uniair bits, and show you what they've used. If they can do that I'd be pretty confident you can trust them. 😀

Going to take a jaunt through and check the area out.

Thanks

I still think Duckhams Q20/50 is the best engine oil ever available. You used to get proper oil pressure! I totally identify with your underlying distrust of thin oil. And, lets face it, oil should be green!

I had a long conversation with the GEM motoring tech expert recently and he convinced me that sticking to the manufacturers recommended oil is now even more important not just because of the grade and viscosity but the specific additive packages that are apparently tailored to the known contaminant types in each engine. Also convinced me that a little emulsion due to s in the engine can be expected these days.

I would guess that's McLennan's? - Alfa specialists. So far not actually had any work done there as Kenny Harrison is just round the corner down here in Leith. However I did get a very competitive clutch quote from them not so long ago, and there are many good reviews. Maybe they'd do something as simple as an oil/filter change while you wait? you could always ask.

I think it's owned by a chap called Stewart McLennan? who is an ex-Fishers Alfa Romeo man so should know exactly what he's doing. If something happened to my older boy's Punto (He lives out there on the south side of the city) which I couldn't deal with we would be using this garage. - Quite accessible too as it's just south of the city bypass.

How about this, successor to "Q" I think:



and it's green too!





I've been using it for years for general oiling duties (hinges and the like).

I used to turn my old oil tins into small parts bins but find the modern plastic containers not so robust:



A full one of these is about what I can comfortably manage to lift up and down from the shelf these days.



The old Q20w50 tin makes interesting reading and it came in a "proper" imperial size!





But that was all in days gone by -sigh - today, as you say, use only an oil which exactly meets the engine manufacturer's specification. Deviate from this at your peril!

GEM? Just googled it - Guild of Experienced Motorists? Who, what, why, where? I'm intrigued, never heard of them.

Can you tell me how I get the part numbers for pollen filter, spark plugs etc just to make sure I get the correct stuff. Going to buy the parts and oil myself from s4p.

Thanks

Follow the links through Shop4Parts website to Panda (IV), and then TwinAir and you will be in the right place as it will only offer the parts that are correct for that model
https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...ngineSize=1033

Parts here: Possible may be comments box as part of order you can put your reg in so they can be doubly sure.

2 of these. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...944&sku=262322

Oil filter. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...rbo_Oil_Filter

Air filter. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...rbo_Air_Filter

Pollen Filter. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s..._Pollen_Filter

Sump Plug. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...ir_Turbo_Sumps

2 of these. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...k_&_Glow_Plugs

Coolant. https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=s...eze_/_Coolants

Do bear in mind though as mechanic said to me, work he does and his sourced parts from Euro Car Parts or EK's are his guarantee on the work. I supplied him Fiat oil filter and a Bosch one before with no problems. But if anything went wrong, tough.

[QUOTE=Al D;4479756]Parts here: Possible may be comments box as part of order you can put your reg in so they can be doubly sure.

Thanks for your help Al D had most of this stuff in my cart but missed out the coolant and the sump plug. Had looked on Euro Car Parts and was wondering if I should get the NGK spark plugs from their. Some people on here seem to favour them, but there is a bit of difference in price but if they make a difference I don't mind. What do you think?

Shop 4 parts £13.86 each
Euro car parts £23.99 each

Went for the NGK, everything ordered, fingers crossed. Will see if I can get them all fitted next week.

Thanks will keep you updated on the progress

Hope all goes well. NGK make Fiat's plugs to my knowledge. Spending extra worth it to you and will definitely be iridium. Expect 5 years/48k miles off them maybe. Mine still going at 36 months/39k miles (mechanic believes originals).

Il Karro - If you're unsure about parts from Shop4parts just give them a ring. I've done that several times now and the 'phone has always been picked up by the same person. Mick - or is it Mike? is very helpful indeed and very easy and pleasant to talk to. Having identified the parts you can then go back online and order them up that way so you can claim the Forum discount (Not an enormous amount but every little helps!)
Regards
Jock