Technical 100hp sump plug

[nobbles]

I have just been on my back looking to start an oil change but what seems to be the sumo plug- in the centre of the car facing rearward. The plug is a 17mm bolt not hex key and made of plastic. It is not thick enough for the socket to grip safely so I am a bit stuck? Any advice? It also seems to be a pain in the bum to change the air filter, what is the process for that? Not a very productive evening.

 

[Gavv8]

A normal 17mm socket should work fine on the sump plug unless its been butchered by a previous owner, it should be metal not plastic so if its too round for a socket i'd get yourself a new sump plug then remove the old one with mole grips or irwin bolt removers if you have them, when you replace the sump plug make sure it goes in straight as its a tapered plug and is easily cross-threaded.
The air filter is best changed by first removing the whole engine cover/intake unit from the car by removing the 3 bolts (one on either side and one at the top), then unclip the large intake pipes that come from the front of the car and connect to the throttle body, there is also a small clip holding a breather pipe right at the top above the intake manifold which just pulls out.
When you have the filter assembly off the car just undo the six bolts that hold the removable panel on and change the filter inside....refitting is reversal of removal.
Its also worth mentioning that the protective panel under the engine needs to removed to gain access to the oil filter.

 

[Matt100HP]

Post #20 on this thread should be helpful for general 100HP servicing, I've got it bookmarked anyway:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/228254-d-i-y-100-hp-servicing-2.html

 

[Gavv8]

Post #20 on this thread should be helpful for general 100HP servicing, I've got it bookmarked anyway:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/228254-d-i-y-100-hp-servicing-2.html

Some great info and advice there, also worth mentioning that you'll need a very narrow spark plug socket as there is not much space in the plug recesses and it would be very easy to get a plug socket stuck in there.

 

[AB100]

Its also worth mentioning that the protective panel under the engine needs to removed to gain access to the oil filter.

I didn't remove this. I used a strap wrench with 5mm rubber strap. It's a tight fit but wraps nicely around the filter and then screws undone easily enough. Refitting is fine as there's plenty of fingertip room to properly screw the new filter on. It's probably even easier if you have a pit or hoist but not bad laid on your back.

 

[Gavv8]

I didn't remove this. I used a strap wrench with 5mm rubber strap. It's a tight fit but wraps nicely around the filter and then screws undone easily enough. Refitting is fine as there's plenty of fingertip room to properly screw the new filter on. It's probably even easier if you have a pit or hoist but not bad laid on your back.

How did you get at the filter from underneath with the under-engine cover in place?

 

[nobbles]

See images - this is a plastic part??? I didn't check if it is a cover to another bolt though - or a special drain plug as has been mentioned in another forum.. The previous owner was fairly religious about changing the oil. Any help?

 

[AB100]

See images - this is a plastic part??? I didn't check if it is a cover to another bolt though - or a special drain plug as has been mentioned in another forum.. The previous owner was fairly religious about changing the oil. Any help?

It's an alloy (or metal) bolt on mine and came undone easily enough. Hex sockets are always the best option for this.


As for the question about a 'cover' over the oil filter. Not sure what you mean. Having spent 10 minutes laid under the car looking for eth oil filter at the back of the engine, I finally looked at the front and there was the filter in plain sight. No problem - visible and easy to remove - no cover plates. Bearing in mind we bought the car new, there's nothing missing on our 2010 built car.

 

[Gavv8]

Don't think i've ever seen a plastic sump plug before... .. i don't think thats plastic..

Mine has a large cover bolted on underneath the engine that covers most of the front of the car and has to be removed to get at the oil filter from underneath.