Technical '07 Multijet timing chain snapped...

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Technical '07 Multijet timing chain snapped...

Grumple

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One of the main reasons I bought the multijet was because of the chain! No need for expensive timing belt services I thought...

I honestly didn't think these things could just break on you, being the benefit over a belt... Am I just unlucky?!

Are any of the newer Panda models still using a chain?


Definitely not worth fixing, so it's off to the breakers unless anyone is after a non-runner yellow '07 Panda?!
 
Depends on history, you're right to a degree that chains seldom break, but if servicing has been ignored that's not good. These engines need clean oil & I changed my oil six monthly what ever the mileage. I had 150000 on the clock on my similar engine & would still be going strong but some idiot decided to take me out in the dark with no lights, but that's another story.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the input.

Local garage were good enough to pick it up and have a look.

Chain definitely snapped. They've quoted £1000+ for labour alone - so I think it's definitely game over.

What's the going rate for an engine replacement?!
 
Think you were just unlucky, or its had a poor service history.

We've got 6 little Doblo's at work all with over 300k miles and still on original chains. Oil changed every 6k miles.

My multijet is now on 105k with oil changes every 3k miles, sweet as a nut.

As above, I don't see it anywhere near £1000 to repair. I also thought that parts in the head were designed to "break" if the chain ever went, keeping repair cost down.
 
Hi Charlie. The problem I encountered was that the guide failed on mine after I had got the chain replaced. I was lucky in that there was no real damage done and all worked fine when the complete new set was installed. In fact my car ran much better than it ever had when the chain was properly replaced the second time. I should say that the original change was done by an independent Fiat-Alfa mechanic and not my main dealer.

Saying that, the parts shouldn't be that costly, but it would take a few man hours. I'm thinking that my Panda engine rebuild was done as a learning opportunity for a lower ranked mechanic within my local main dealer. The one person was working on my car so it probably took longer than it would have normally. They had my car for almost a month while I drove a courtesy car they gave me. They tried a few parts and if they didn't improve things reinstalled the old parts where they didn't. I ended up paying them around £800 for what essentially was an engine rebuild. I was well pleased with that.
 
A lot depends on what they find when they start taking it apart. I have seen one where only 4 rockers were replaced (along with the full chain kit) and all was well. Total of about £350 all-in.

But on the other hand, I've got a Panda which broke a chain (bought it like that!). When we stripped it down it had damaged most of the rockers, some on the hydraulic lifters, and gouged out a groove where the chain had been rubbing on the block. We carried on fixing it (mostly for interest as we already had the parts, and it was a low mileage engine) and it needed
new oil pump,
Full set of rockers,
Full set of hydraulic lifters, and of course...
Chain kit.
We cleaned out everything very carefully.

We added up the hours spent, and the total would have been nearly £1000 in labour at local garage rates.
It's not a particularly hard job, but it is fiddly, and takes a while.

And the most annoying thing of all...
It runs great, sounds good, and pulls like a train, but every so often, when it's up to temperature, the oil light flickers on at idle. No idea whether it did before the chain went, but I haven't been able to find out why. It's possible something was damaged when the chain broke which we didn't spot.
 
If it was only a few hundred quid, it'd probably be worth while fixing.

I bought the Panda for my mum, and she does barely any mileage. I think in the 3 years she's had it, the mileage has gone up around 5k... (not sure exactly what it's on)

I'll get some pics at the weekend just incase anyone fancies a new project!
 
If it was only a few hundred quid, it'd probably be worth while fixing.

I bought the Panda for my mum, and she does barely any mileage. I think in the 3 years she's had it, the mileage has gone up around 5k... (not sure exactly what it's on)

Now there's a problem. Multijets don't like to sit around. They're built for putting on lots of miles. My new Mito has the same engine. Since the middle of May (5 months ago), I've done 7500 miles. That's the type of miles they thrive on...

Even with such a small number of miles covered, the car would still need an annual oil change as it degrades over time. Also with such few miles done, I'm thinking that the car barely ever got up to running temperature. This all would put pressure on the chain. Perhaps get her a wee petrol next time.
 
It runs great, sounds good, and pulls like a train, but every so often, when it's up to temperature, the oil light flickers on at idle. No idea whether it did before the chain went, but I haven't been able to find out why. It's possible something was damaged when the chain broke which we didn't spot.

The 16V Fiat/Alfa petrol engines will often crease a big end bearing when the cam belt fails, leading to oil pressure issues a few miles down the line. The diesel is of course stronger built, but the sudden stop of the chain failing might have done something similar on your Panda. It's well worth dropping the sump to have a look at the big ends and replace the bearing shells while in there.

Further to Wee Smurf's point diesels that are not allowed to get fully warm will get fuel into the oil so regular changes on time are a must-do. They can also suffer with soot from the EGR building up inside the intake manifold. The solution is a good long run every now and then to clear out the gremlins.
 
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The 16V Fiat/Alfa petrol engines will often crease a big end bearing when the cam belt fails, leading to oil pressure issues a few miles down the line. The diesel is of course stronger built, but the sudden stop of the chain failing might have done something similar on your Panda. It's well worth dropping the sump to have a look at the big ends and replace the bearing shells while in there.

Further to Wee Smurf's point diesels that are not allowed to get fully warm will get fuel into the oil so regular changes on time are a must-do. They can also suffer with soot from the EGR building up inside the intake manifold. The solution is a good long run every now and then to clear out the gremlins.

The 16V Fiat/Alfa petrol engines will often crease a big end bearing when the cam belt fails, leading to oil pressure issues a few miles down the line. The diesel is of course stronger built, but the sudden stop of the chain failing might have done something similar on your Panda. It's well worth dropping the sump to have a look at the big ends and replace the bearing shells while in there.

It's on my to-do list... current plan is to swap the engine out when I get some time. Then I'll strip it down and have a good look in comfort. If I find the problem it'll then go in my Sporting to replace the slightly tired one currently in there.
Totally agree about lightly used ones though - they don't like it at all, and seem to develop all kinds of problems.
 
And the most annoying thing of all...
It runs great, sounds good, and pulls like a train, but every so often, when it's up to temperature, the oil light flickers on at idle. No idea whether it did before the chain went, but I haven't been able to find out why. It's possible something was damaged when the chain broke which we didn't spot.

Replace the oil pressure sending unit. I know its just a switch but the flexy bit inside that pushes the contacts closed will get hard with age and can cause the light to flicker on at idle.
 
Good call, but...
Been there, done that... twice, once with a known good one from my Sporting.
No change.
Also filter (x 2), oil, oil pump (again), heat exchanger, oil filter housing, turbo oil feed pipe and many many more...
Basically all the bits I could think of that might cause it and that I could change out easily. (Or that I had had kicking around the workshop)
Gut feeling is that the sump needs to come off again, so might as well have it out and work in comfort. Getting too old and creaky to struggle with the confined spaces of a Multijet Panda.
 
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