Hi, I bought a 2016 1.2 Panda and I noticed the coolant level was low so I topped it up but it dropped right down again the next day to the same low level it was before which is where it looks like there should be a pipe attached. I've hopefully added a pic of that below. Please, 1.2 owners, could you let me know if you have a pipe attached there? THANKS!
Technical Help! Am I missing a coolant pipe on my 1.2? See pic
- Thread starter Jiffycom
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Technical Help! Am I missing a coolant pipe on my 1.2? See pic
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
There is nothing missing. Your coolant is above the level of the pipe widget anyway from what I can see. There are many threads on here about the importance of coolant to this engine so you need to get to the bottom of this quickly. If the system has been drained and refilled air locks form and they really MUST be bled out before the engine overheats and cooks the head gasket. This can be awkward. Search Panda cooling system and all should be revealed. The item with min / max on it is the header part of the system and there are no attached hoses / other expansion bottles. If you bought this from a garage take it back and ask them to sort it out as it has the potential to be a serious issue.
I suspect that pipe union is actually a blank.. wont pass fluid unless you drill a hole
Right.. Coolant level.. YES its VERY important ..!!
From what I see it looks halfway between min and max.. that 'o.k.' but ideally Wants to be at MAX
Tip: shine a light down the side of that yellowy plastic tube.. you will see the Coolant level very clearly
Thanks guys. The coolant level was right on that pipe union by the way. It may look as though the coolant was above but that's a tide mark/scum. I check with a torch on the other side and then give the car a nudge so the level wobbles a bit.
I got it private sale at a very good price - £2450 for a 2016 with 75k miles. I checked carefully for a head gasket leak and no sign of any. I've done 2k miles in mostly short journeys and it's not used any oil (which still looks pretty new). There's definitely an airlock in the system though. I noticed the heating stopped blowing hot air when I stopped at a junction. When I pulled away the air got hot again. Among the receipts with the car was one for a coolant pipe replaced. Unfortunately, it was from a fast fit place. I won't name them but I'll say this, I don't think all of their fitters have a high IQ! I bet they just changed the pipe and topped up coolant and didn't bleed the system.
The previous owner went there as the sump had rusted and he didn't like the dealer price ( An Old Shark!). The fast fit place charged him for a new exhaust pipe as well but then bandits never changed it! It's started blowing at the front so I'm going to see if I can get it replaced under warranty.
Anyway, I've topped up the coolant and opened both bleed screws but nothing came out until I blew into the radiator tank. I then got a nice fountain from both. I'll be changing the timing belt soon so I'll replace the water pump, thermostat and coolant at the same time anyway.
I'll keep an eye on the level and report back!
I got it private sale at a very good price - £2450 for a 2016 with 75k miles. I checked carefully for a head gasket leak and no sign of any. I've done 2k miles in mostly short journeys and it's not used any oil (which still looks pretty new). There's definitely an airlock in the system though. I noticed the heating stopped blowing hot air when I stopped at a junction. When I pulled away the air got hot again. Among the receipts with the car was one for a coolant pipe replaced. Unfortunately, it was from a fast fit place. I won't name them but I'll say this, I don't think all of their fitters have a high IQ! I bet they just changed the pipe and topped up coolant and didn't bleed the system.
The previous owner went there as the sump had rusted and he didn't like the dealer price ( An Old Shark!). The fast fit place charged him for a new exhaust pipe as well but then bandits never changed it! It's started blowing at the front so I'm going to see if I can get it replaced under warranty.
Anyway, I've topped up the coolant and opened both bleed screws but nothing came out until I blew into the radiator tank. I then got a nice fountain from both. I'll be changing the timing belt soon so I'll replace the water pump, thermostat and coolant at the same time anyway.
I'll keep an eye on the level and report back!
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C'Rusty steel?
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I wasn't sure but the engine bay looks much grubbier than even our 2005 car.
Tim
Tim
Wow, 4 weeks already! The coolant level dropped a little bit again so I did a bit more reading and found a helpful tip from the Punto section to fill the expansion tank up to the very, very top. I did that and, this time, coolant came out of the bleeding screws of it's own accord. I did the rear one first and then the one on the radiator until the coolant level was correct. The level now seems to be holding steady. I felt the hoses and radiator and could feel when the thermostat opened. I need to find my OBD2 scanner so I can check if temps are matching spec. Does anyone know offhand what temp the cooling fan should kick in at?
Yeah, this is a Scottish Panda and it's surprisingly rusty in places for a 5 year old car. Next year, I'll do a major rust prevention treatment on it but I'm focusing on the immediate problems just now. I've just replaced the front brakes (they had rusted due to previous owners low mileage) and I need to change the gasket between the exhaust down pipe and middle section to get it through it's MOT next week.
Now, a partial apology to the not so high iq fast fit garage! The receipt shows they charged £80 for a new flexi pipe. I realise now, they only changed the flexi bit of the middle section of the exhaust - they cut it out and welded in a replacement!
Anyway, I bet it was those ham fisted guys that broke the fan cowling in the pic.
Yeah, this is a Scottish Panda and it's surprisingly rusty in places for a 5 year old car. Next year, I'll do a major rust prevention treatment on it but I'm focusing on the immediate problems just now. I've just replaced the front brakes (they had rusted due to previous owners low mileage) and I need to change the gasket between the exhaust down pipe and middle section to get it through it's MOT next week.
Now, a partial apology to the not so high iq fast fit garage! The receipt shows they charged £80 for a new flexi pipe. I realise now, they only changed the flexi bit of the middle section of the exhaust - they cut it out and welded in a replacement!
Anyway, I bet it was those ham fisted guys that broke the fan cowling in the pic.
