Technical Anyone changed the glow plugs on a panda?

[SiloSean]

Dear All,

I have just had a fault come up this morning on my 63 plate Panda 4x4 1.3 Multijet, check glow plugs. I did a quick search and bought replacements locally, thinking I would just change them as they are not too expensive.

Took the air box off to give access and have found that they are behind the turbo and the exhaust. If anyone has changed these before, how the hell do you get to them? Does the turbo and exhaust have to be removed?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Yes... turbo has to come off, I believe

 

[SiloSean]

Yes... turbo has to come off, I believe

Thank you the reply, you just confirmed what I had feared. When I eventually get round to doing it, if I remember I will have to document and photograph it for here.

Was surprised that the block has GM cast into it, didn't know there was a link with fiat.

The shock absorbers you suggested back February fitted a treat, they are just a bit too hard. Means it corners well, but is a little uncomfortable when doing more than 50 on a country road unless the boots full or there's another couple of people in the car. With a decent load it rides well.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

The link between GM and Fiat came to and end, but, until fairly recently that engine was widely used by both. Pretty sure the Punto and Corsa were closely related too - although now VX/Opel part of a Peugeot/Citroen, latest Corsa is basically a Pug 208. The bigger 1.9 diesel was used by Fiat, GM and Saab...

 

[varesecrazy]

Dear All,

I have just had a fault come up this morning on my 63 plate Panda 4x4 1.3 Multijet, check glow plugs. I did a quick search and bought replacements locally, thinking I would just change them as they are not too expensive.

Took the air box off to give access and have found that they are behind the turbo and the exhaust. If anyone has changed these before, how the hell do you get to them? Does the turbo and exhaust have to be removed?

Hi

Look at top of Grande Punto guides..

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/482892-replace-glow-plugs-1-3-diesel.html?p=4556238


How different is that earlier 1248cc multijet..?

Charlie

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I have a hunch the older Punto glow plugs were one the back’ of the engine (the inlet manifold side). The Panda they’re on the front. In Euro 5 guise you could reach three of them without removing anything, but the Euro 6 engine has rather more in the way (different turbo I believe)

 

[varesecrazy]

Same basic motor.. plugs by your knees

 

[SiloSean]

Hi

Look at top of Grande Punto guides..

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/482892-replace-glow-plugs-1-3-diesel.html?p=4556238


How different is that earlier 1248cc multijet..?

Charlie

I saw that guide and thought brilliant, looks easier than the wife's zafira tourer. On the punto in the guide they are quite easily accessible, on the panda (as have now found out) they are behind the turbo and exhaust. Not looking forward to stripping it down, but it's going for mot in a couple of weeks and I don't really want a warning light on. Not that I think they would fail it for glow plugs.

 

[varesecrazy]

Could be a poor connection to plugs..

As my comments in that thread confirmed.

Do you get a flashing plug symbol?

 

[SiloSean]

Could be a poor connection to plugs..

As my comments in that thread confirmed.

Do you get a flashing plug symbol?

Flashing warning light for a short while when started, check glow plugs message on the centre display. It goes off, so not too much of an issue, but just want to get it sorted without resorting to a garage. The cost of the parts is not too much, just under £45 for a set of 4 NGKs, wife's car cost me £90 each even with a massive discount.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Flashing warning light for a short while when started, check glow plugs message on the centre display. It goes off, so not too much of an issue, but just want to get it sorted without resorting to a garage. The cost of the parts is not too much, just under £45 for a set of 4 NGKs, wife's car cost me £90 each even with a massive discount.

My 2013 Panda used to do this now and again... the message and light would come up for three cold starts in a row (ie starts where the air/engine temperature is low enough to need the glow plugs, so not in the summer or if the engine warm), and then go away from a few weeks. SO, wait a bit and see what happens!

I had two plugs replaced under warranty (in two separate visits a year or so apart)... but I also had a hunch the issue might have been 'elsewhere', although never did find out.

 

[varesecrazy]

Flashing symbol indicates a fault 'within the glow circuit'

So no guarantee its a plug..

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

...but it's going for mot in a couple of weeks and I don't really want a warning light on. Not that I think they would fail it for glow plugs.

Correct: glow plug light/warning not an MOT fail (only warning lights that remain on - especially 'engine light')

 

[SiloSean]

My 2013 Panda used to do this now and again... the message and light would come up for three cold starts in a row (ie starts where the air/engine temperature is low enough to need the glow plugs, so not in the summer or if the engine warm), and then go away from a few weeks. SO, wait a bit and see what happens!

I had two plugs replaced under warranty (in two separate visits a year or so apart)... but I also had a hunch the issue might have been 'elsewhere', although never did find out.

That's interesting, when I left work last night the warning didn't come up, nor did it when I took my daughter for a driving lesson or this morning when I drove to work. I have the parts sat in the boot now, will keep hold of them, wait till it comes back again and stays on permanently. The car is now 7 years old and has done about 57,000 miles.

Carrying spares in the boot takes me back to my first car, 1.1L fiesta. It had the unreliable ford carb which was frequently playing up, so I ended up with twin carbs, one under the bonnet and one in the boot ready for service exchange!

 

[lambou1d]

Just been posting on the Punto Evo thread about changing glow plugs on this engine (1.3 multijet) but no-one could confirm if the turbo does have to be removed. Did you ever change the plugs and did you have to take the turbo off? I can get to all the plugs with the plug wrench but is that good enough? Any advice gratefully received. It's a 2013 Panda 4x4 btw.

 

[richardllew]

Changed my glow plugs on my Panda many years ago, I think just the air filter needed taking off. Bought a long box spanner (weird size iirc) from Cromwell tools, loosened the plugs with the engine warm, don't use too much force, use equal force on both sides of the tommy bar so you only apply a torque, if they are too tight don't change them, the resistance can be checked with them still in the car, just take the lead off ......

 

[lambou1d]

Thanks Richardllew, yes it's easy on the older Panda but the 2012+ has the plugs behind the turbo which is the issue. Some say you have to take the turbo off others not BUT no-one has actually confirmed they have done it.
That's my question; if you have changed the glow plugs on a 2012+ multijet (with the glow plugs behind the tiny turbo) did you do it with or without taking the turbo off?

 

[2668GRIFFIN]

Ask a Mechanic at a fiat dealer as it looks like no-one on here knows
Luigi

 

[varesecrazy]

Ask a Mechanic at a fiat dealer as it looks like no-one on here knows
Luigi

Post 2 here says its probably a turbo removal job..

Did SiloSean get the job done?

 

[SiloSean]

Post 2 here says its probably a turbo removal job..

Did SiloSean get the job done?

No I haven't done them yet, new plugs are sat in the garage ready to fit, but it has only come up once again and doesn't seem to have effected the car. It still starts at the turn of the key, even with the cold weather. Given the amount of effort it's going to take to strip the turbo and I think the exhaust manifold, I came to the conclusion that I would wait until it's more of an issue. Being lazy I know, but if it's not coming up at the moment then it a lot of work for not much gain.

My wife's Zafira Tourer has come up a glow plug fault again, will probably change them first. Only did one last time as they are £120 each glow plug! Makes the £45 for a complete set for the Panda look like peanuts.