Hi all.

I have posted on here a number of times over the past couple of years but with no real resolve, it's time for one last try then it's off with the pandas head.
Our family had a panda 1.3 and a doblo both of which I believe are very similar engines, however the doblo has now gone.
The problems we have had on both, are very sluggish response when first started in cold damp conditions with the panda occasionally refusing to start. Now we just have the panda left and after a year of perfect running the thing has refused to start.

We did 100 mile motorway trip in heavy rain, got to our destination, turned off the car for 1 min, restarted to unblock a garage then turned off after 30 seconds, then after a further 1 min, tried to restart to move again and it wouldn't start. Left it for 1 night and still wouldn't start.

Due to the 4 hour tow on a non motorway route to get home, we decided to tow and bump start. After 2 miles and on the 7-8 attempt of the engine firing up but chugging and dieing, it finally roared into life. It drove back no problem but won't start again this morning.

I have come to the conclusion that is is most defiantly rain related, I know there are some theories of rain in the air filter and again some people who dismiss this.

What's the latest advise on this and the applicable fixes. Is there an official fiat fix or a preferred method of doing this. Pictures of a fix would be great.

:bang:

Cheers.

There are a lot of threads about silicone on the screw above the airfilter and the ECU.
The searchfunction is excellent on this forum.

gr J

:yeahthat:

Check air filter is dry and that the screw on the scuttle hasn't worn a small hole into the housing and allowing water in. If it has then gunk it up with silicon dealer

Yes silicone is the answer! It worked on mine. I'd post a pic of mine to show you where if it still wasn't in the garage!

madness to tow start these engines
bit of reading here too
http://totalcarmagazine.com/tech/2013/05/08/how_to_spend_3000_on_a_1_3_multijet_engine/

im not saying this is the problem as something as simple as a stuck open egr would cause non start
i always equate it to servicingg or lack of and of course cheap stack it high rubbish diesel,i never put junk fuel in my multijet

I'll agree with you about the fuel. I made a huge mistake filling up at Sainsbury's once (I had got a 10p off per litre voucher and thought it would be good to use it). Let's just say that the difference in power was really noticeable and I'll never do that again!

Wee Smurf said:

I'll agree with you about the fuel. I made a huge mistake filling up at Sainsbury's once (I had got a 10p off per litre voucher and thought it would be good to use it). Let's just say that the difference in power was really noticeable and I'll never do that again!

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Interesting. Sainsbury's on the mainland is unbranded BP fuel and no issues with their Diesel. It's the only supermarket fuel I use, won't touch any of the others.

No idea of what it is in Belfast, but I'm not the only person who thought that about their fuel. I stick with Maxol Auto 24. It's usually cheaper than the supermarkets anyhow as there's less overheads.

Wee Smurf said:

but I'm not the only person who thought that about their fuel.

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Mainland of Belfast again though

Might be different over your side

Yes it probably is different over here. I've no idea of the real branding for it, but my Panda definitely doesn't like it one little bit. It's like he has a little huff, lol!

Belfast is the place to be! ;-)