General 2010 Fiat Panda - Parts recommendation

[JoleePando]

I like to drain the coolant below the level of the thermostat just really so it doesn't maybe run into the bell housing when you remove the housing. It's so easy to just suck the coolant out of the side mounted expansion vessel on the 169 model.

original birth one in mine - from S4p - now around 5 years old and operating satisfactorily.

Thanks for the advice!

Called up SRS (now NAPA AutoParts) to see if they had something. Thermostat without sensor is £15 all in, so hopefully that'll be decent enough, or would I be better going the S4P route?

 

[koalar]

I don't know what engine you have but for the 1.2

Pre 2009 its

And for Post 2009 its combined with the temperature sensor

Which I guess is the one on yours

It's easy to check as it visible on the right side of the cylinder head

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Thanks for the advice!

Called up SRS (now NAPA AutoParts) to see if they had something. Thermostat without sensor is £15 all in, so hopefully that'll be decent enough, or would I be better going the S4P route?

I buy stuff from SRS all the time, they are my primary "go to". Never had a bad part from them and only very occasionally had a part wrongly identified.

There are two thermostats which Koalar has very conveniently identified for you above. They are not interchangeable so have a good look at what's on yours and make sure the new one matches. The later one has the temp sensor and heater takeoff pipe whereas the earlier one - our 2010 1.2 Panda eco dynamic has the earlier one - changed around 2011? By the way notice the particular one Koalar has shown in his post shows it with a metal heater pipe stub - this is the one to source if you need that type. They seem to be more common supplied with a plastic pipe stub which is prone to fracturing as it ages.

 

[JoleePando]

I buy stuff from SRS all the time, they are my primary "go to". Never had a bad part from them and only very occasionally had a part wrongly identified.

There are two thermostats which Koalar has very conveniently identified for you above. They are not interchangeable so have a good look at what's on yours and make sure the new one matches. The later one has the temp sensor and heater takeoff pipe whereas the earlier one - our 2010 1.2 Panda eco dynamic has the earlier one - changed around 2011? By the way notice the particular one Koalar has shown in his post shows it with a metal heater pipe stub - this is the one to source if you need that type. They seem to be more common supplied with a plastic pipe stub which is prone to fracturing as it ages.

I can't actually see which one it is without taking everything off, but I find some pictures of the Active Eco 1.1 online and it appears they have the basic one, so we'll give that a go. Yeah, I've been using SRS since you mentioned them actually Always good folks and have helped me out when I've been looking at the wrong thing.

I'm heading up to grab the new thermostat soon, Sunday is going to be the day for fitting (hoping it doesn't take too long if I follow your instructions), and then I'm on step closer to having a fully working car. I've no idea how much a garage would charge for a thermostat change, but for £15, I might as well give it a go myself!

For the old gasket, is there anything in particular I should use to clean the residue left behind, or just give it a wipe down until it's a flat surface?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I can't actually see which one it is without taking everything off, but I find some pictures of the Active Eco 1.1 online and it appears they have the basic one, so we'll give that a go. Yeah, I've been using SRS since you mentioned them actually Always good folks and have helped me out when I've been looking at the wrong thing.

I'm heading up to grab the new thermostat soon, Sunday is going to be the day for fitting (hoping it doesn't take too long if I follow your instructions), and then I'm on step closer to having a fully working car. I've no idea how much a garage would charge for a thermostat change, but for £15, I might as well give it a go myself!

For the old gasket, is there anything in particular I should use to clean the residue left behind, or just give it a wipe down until it's a flat surface?

I've come across these with and without a gasket fitted. (liquid gasket used instead). Whatever you find when the old one is removed you can scrape the residue of old gasket &/or gasket cement off with an old paint scraper or even an old kitchen knife. The head is aluminium so just be a wee bit careful not to gouge the mating face. Then a wee wipe over with something like carb or brake cleaner before fitting the new one. You'll need to bleed it through once you've refilled it with a 50% antifreeze mix and there's a bleed screw on the top heater hose and radiator - be careful with them as they're plastic and may be brittle with age. Bleeding the air out is not especially difficult but some people do seem to have trouble with it. I have a rubber hoes which fits in the hole where the filler cap fits and is a tight fit so no leaks. It's about a couple of feet long so well exceeds the top of any part of the cooling system. I stick a funnel in the top of it and, with the bleed open, I pour coolant in until it comes out the bleeder without bubbles. Then I start the engine and run it 'till there are no bubbles from the bleeder and then close the bleeder. now run the engine up till the thermostat opens (top hose gets hot) and top up if needed - sometimes trapped air will come through when the thermostat opens. Then take the pipe out of the filler, put the cap on and go a wee run. check fluid level again and top up if needed. Check heater is working - if there's trapped air the heater likely will be cold or only luke warm. Once you've got the air out and a hot heater then check the level again regularly over the next few days as more air will come through and the level may drop.

Interestingly the genuine part comes without a gasket which, at considerable expense, you buy separately but generic after market usually come with a gasket in the box. These engines bleed through pretty easily just running the engine using the water pump to push the coolant/air through but I find it makes it much quicker using the pipe so that's the way I do it.

 

[JoleePando]

Well, I’m a daft lad.

Got the part late Friday just before it closed and cycled on my merry way. Only this morning did I realise I didn’t pick up jubilee clips

Does anyone know the size of clip needed for the hose? Heading to Halfords to grab a couple.

 

[koalar]

Well, I’m a daft lad.

Got the part late Friday just before it closed and cycled on my merry way. Only this morning did I realise I didn’t pick up jubilee clips

Does anyone know the size of clip needed for the hose? Heading to Halfords to grab a couple.

I don't have the panda any more to measure

But I believe it's around 33mm / 1 1/4"

I usually just buy an assortment from Aldi or Toolstation though,

 

[JoleePando]

This may seem like a dumb question, but is this all the gasket should be? Just a bit of cardboard as a buffer between the metal of the thermostat and the car?

 

[koalar]

This may seem like a dumb question, but is this all the gasket should be? Just a bit of cardboard as a buffer between the metal of the thermostat and the car?
View attachment 454652

Yes, old school, most gaskets use to be like this

The original was steel

But the cheaper paper gaskets are fine

You have to clean all the old of, not easy to see


I put them on dry, never had a problem, others use a little RTV for belt and braces approach, there's no correct answer

 

[JoleePando]

What did you do with your Panda today? | FIAT Panda (2012+)

This evening it will do 100 miles.. Must remember to reset MPG.. Its 1st trip since August Well it was uneventful.. But gave a slightly disappointing 56mpg.. It was blustery on arrival.. so could have been a headwind.. And I suspect the tyres were probably a bit soft having been sat a while :o

www.fiatforum.com

Following along with Jock’s guide here.

I had to remove the ECU to get that pesky bolt, but we got there! I’ve removed the ignition leads from the coil pack, though I can’t get the plugs out. Do I have to pull the retaining clip back? A bit wary of doing it and breaking them.

EDIT: All good and sorted. Got the plugs out

 

[JoleePando]

And all done. Quick and easy with the help of Jock’s guide and a couple of other posts.

Now on to the next project (see: problem)

I’m not going to lie, having this car has been great and infuriating. It’s been a journey figuring out what I can and can’t do. Another point, having the car, despite its lack of speed or street cred, has been a breath of fresh air. Park anywhere, fuel costs nothing, insurance is minimal, and it’s a fun drive!

 

[koalar]

Well done

Garage would charge about £80 labour
Plus you have the satisfaction of doing it yourself

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Sorry, I'm coming in late here so didn't contribute to clamp size etc, but we've had grandchildren all day. Very glad my post about doing Becky's was a help and congratulations on a successful outcome.

 

[JoleePando]

On to the next enormous and absolutely gargantuan task...

Lightbulbs I see it's an H4 bulb. Is there any people specifically recommend? Noticed both have been dim for a while and yesterday the left bulb finally bit the bullet.

 

[koalar]

Horse for course

You can go slightly brighter, but they have less life, not that you will notice unless you do a lot of night driving

Cheap bulbs from , home and bargains are normally rubbish, often the beam is way off and don't last long


I use to use ring from Wilkinsons now no longer with use, they were cheap, reliable and the beam was correct

 

[porta]

On to the next enormous and absolutely gargantuan task...

Lightbulbs I see it's an H4 bulb. Is there any people specifically recommend? Noticed both have been dim for a while and yesterday the left bulb finally bit the bullet.

Osram still seem to be a good make, having said that, the last ones I bought, from Halfords, are still going strong two years later

 

[porta]

Wife’s car, 2016 Renegade, is still on its original bulbs, but it goes through those running light/direction bulbs like they’re going out of fashion, and they’re from Halfords, but have also used local factors