Hi all. Bear with me im new to this. I recently purchased a 2004 reg fiat panda and need advice.
The engine is naking a steady tapping noise and im worried.
It drives ok.
Its in need of a service and im aware theres no record of cambelt change. It currently sits at 86000 miles


Any ideas of costs for a cambelt change on these cars and what the tappy engine could be and if its a common occurance with the 1.1 active type please. Thank you

Someone will start shouting at me, but I wouldn't worry about the cambelt, yet!
These are non interference engines, so if they snap a belt, it won't ruin the engine.

The tapping could be the valve train or pre detonation (pinging).
Our old 1.1 Active used to sound a bit tappy when the oil was due a change, new oil and it was smooth again.

But I guess yours probably needs the valve clearances checking/adjusting at that sort of mileage.

Ours also pinged quite loudly when the O2 sensor packed up, with the bonnet open is sounded like it came from around the back of the engine, like the alternator was rattling and when driven if felt as if the exhaust as full of rust!

good point on the O2 sensor,
they've been told about the other possibilities in the 2 other threads they've started,

Half decent service( only @£30 on a panda) then go from there..!!,

Charlie

Probably need value clearances doing as mentioned about. This is mentioned in the service schedule, but normally can be ignored from experience if not noisy.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Probably need value clearances doing as mentioned about. This is mentioned in the service schedule, but normally can be ignored from experience if not noisy.

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Its noise in idle but when higher revs the tick becomes deeper. I took it to an old school machanic and he said its sounds top end and bottom end and if I start fiddling with adjusting tappets and valves I could blow the bottom end out.
Im not sure as im really not that clued up on cars.
He mentioned tbe cam shaft sounds warn and that could be replaced also.
Basically he made it sound like my engines on its way out however the car drives nice dispite the noise.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Thank you

basically it sounds like your engine never serviced
ie oil changed
i would do the service as you mentioned you were going to and see if theres any improvement in less noise
see if old oil comes out like treacle

just201187 said:

Its noise in idle but when higher revs the tick becomes deeper. I took it to an old school machanic and he said its sounds top end and bottom end and if I start fiddling with adjusting tappets and valves I could blow the bottom end out.
Im not sure as im really not that clued up on cars.
He mentioned tbe cam shaft sounds warn and that could be replaced also.
Basically he made it sound like my engines on its way out however the car drives nice dispite the noise.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Thank you

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(I took it to an old school machanic and he said its sounds top end and bottom end and if I start fiddling with adjusting tappets and valves I could blow the bottom end out. )

(He mentioned tbe cam shaft sounds warn and that could be replaced also)

ithink he might of been passing the hint' of an engine rebuild,

id shop else where

s and b said:

basically it sounds like your engine never serviced
ie oil changed
i would do the service as you mentioned you were going to and see if theres any improvement in less noise
see if old oil comes out like treacle

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I think I am gonna get it serviced and the tappets ect adjusted at the same time. Think is I dint want to throw money at it if tge engine is knackered but then im hoping its not but untill I pay a garage to dig deeper im not gonna know. Being a woman I feel they try rip me off

just201187 said:

I think I am gonna get it serviced and the tappets ect adjusted at the same time. Think is I dint want to throw money at it if tge engine is knackered but then im hoping its not but untill I pay a garage to dig deeper im not gonna know. Being a woman I feel they try rip me off

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if you dont trust your garage find one thats in the foxy lady club
i dont rob women because i explain things to them

s and b said:

if you dont trust your garage find one thats in the foxy lady club
i dont rob women because i explain things to them

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Ive got a chap who s a machanic hes gonna adjust tappets and try cure the tick for 50....then look at anythibg els but I think thats a good deal as im aware its alot of fart arsing about

just201187 said:

Ive got a chap who s a machanic hes gonna adjust tappets and try cure the tick for 50....then look at anythibg els but I think thats a good deal as im aware its alot of fart arsing about

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technically ; it's not adjusting tappets, ( 10 minute job + ZERO parts)

it's replacing shims, in a "bucket + shim" set-up @ 1 hour job + parts

so make sure he knows what he's quoted for and doesn't charge for loads of "extra's"

pesronally - if you can't get ANY work done DIY.. then I would get just the oil + filter changed = @ £30 at a conventional garage.

Charlie ( I own the same car as you..!!)

it will be out + about at the MI Oxford meet on the 17th