Panda (Classic) Blue Sisley, my first Panda.

[AndyPanda4x4]

Hmm sounds odd, it might be due to a plug having been threaded in the past and making the threads looser? I've never had a problem like that

 

[VmanC]

I don't remember anything out of the ordinary when I fitted the plugs, but if this one keeps coming loose there must be wear in the thread. If it only comes loose every 12-18 months I'd be inclined to just re-tighten it each time.

Another plan of action would be to fit long life iridium plugs (3years or 60,000 miles) and use thread lock when fitting them.

Ideally it sounds like that particular thread needs helicoiling.

 

[Palio]

I don't remember anything out of the ordinary when I fitted the plugs, but if this one keeps coming loose there must be wear in the thread. If it only comes loose every 12-18 months I'd be inclined to just re-tighten it each time.

Another plan of action would be to fit long life iridium plugs (3years or 60,000 miles) and use thread lock when fitting them.

Ideally it sounds like that particular thread needs helicoiling.

No I haven't noticed anything odd when changing them either.

Thanks for the info. Like the sound of those plugs - was that what the Enterprise engines ran on in Star Trek?

I'll see how it goes. Have you still got room on that list of things to look at??!!

 

[VmanC]

I'm sure I can squeeze it on.

 

[panda1408]

I had a loose plug on my CLX, it was the cause of the ticking noise I had, I'm pretty sure I just never tightened it up properly in the first place though.

With your Sisley being high mileage I would not be surprised if the thread is on the way out with it being alloy, hopefully not, but I think I would keep a plug spanner in the car if it were me.

 

[Dragon Man]

dilithium.. the enterprise's engines run on dilithium.:doh:
look what you made Cpt. Picard do..:

i had a lawn mower that had the same issue.. we glued it in, in the end

 

[Palio]

dilithium.. the enterprise's engines run on dilithium.:doh:
look what you made Cpt. Picard do..:

i had a lawn mower that had the same issue.. we glued it in, in the end

Of course - silly me :doh:

How can a lawn mower despairingly put its head in its hands though?

 

[Dragon Man]

How can a lawn mower despairingly put its head in its hands though?

 

[Palio]

Whatever it was seems to have dematerialised in the transporter Captain, er sorry, John

 

[homeward]

Whatever it was seems to have dematerialised in the transporter Captain, er sorry, John

You'd make a good Bones... -- "Dammit, John: I'm an accountant, not an engineer...!"

There's Vogons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow....

 

[homeward]

Pandas... the Final Frontwheeldrivecar. These are the voyages of the roadship Pandaprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no car has gone before.

Featuring: Dragon Man as Captain John Talonius Erk; purple haze as Mr Clack, the ship's science officer and logician; Palio as Dr 'Owns' McCar; VmanC as Montgomery 'I dinna think it can take any more Pandas' Lott(sofpandas); pandawoman as communications officer Bucketura; homeward as that-man-in-the-red-shirt-that-only-ever-lasts-two-minutes-on-a-new-planet; Most Easterly Pandas as the funny one with the eastern accent (either Chekhov or Sulu -- take your pick); panda1408 as Wesley 'Never take a Panda to a' Crusher.... :nutter:

You get the gist.... Feel free to take this even more off topic....

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Most Easterly Pandas as the funny one with the eastern accent (either Chekhov or Sulu -- take your pick);

I'm London born and bred, not inbred with webbed feet

 

[firstcar-Y10]

No No No, Dragon man clearly has the hair of a Klingon, or possibly (original not Cumberbatch) Khan. You can't put him in the big (Alfa leather?) chair. Purple Haze clearly belongs there, with Palio (who has the look of a vulcan) in the science officer seat. Also if you're trying to get a scavenged Romulan warp core to talk to your standard 999 ECU then Lewey's your Engineer (sorry Vern)
Vernon is in fact in charge of 'deep south 9' where other Panda owners go to get service and spares. MEP is more of a wheeler dealer Ferengi I reckon.

....Actually you could put CLS in the navigation seat. You'd certainly end up Boldly Going where no man has gone before.

 

[Dragon Man]

Actually you could put CLS in the navigation seat. You'd certainly end up Boldly Going where no man has gone before.

"Engage rear drive nacelles, Captin. lets hope this warp 5 (on paper) engine has enough power to get us through this asteroid field"

 

[firstcar-Y10]

"Engage rear drive nacelles, Captin. lets hope this warp 5 (on paper) engine has enough power to get us through this asteroid field"

Hang on John, are we actually supposed to be going through an asteroid field? it's not on my charts Are you sure that was the right wormhole?

 

[VmanC]

Gavin's Sisley has been with me a few weeks waiting for some attention, and as he's going to be our Taxi at the NEC I thought I'd better give him some.

So, first job to be ticked off was new front shocks and springs. Gavin had ground clearance issues on our 4x4 weekend and I found that the front was slightly lower (about 1cm) than my own 4x4 Oslo.



Springs are original spec by Supaflex, shocks are Monroe.

 

[Palio]

Gavin's Sisley has been with me a few weeks waiting for some attention, and as he's going to be our Taxi at the NEC I thought I'd better give him some.

So, first job to be ticked off was new front shocks and springs. Gavin had ground clearance issues on our 4x4 weekend and I found that the front was slightly lower (about 1cm) than my own 4x4 Oslo.



Springs are original spec by Supaflex, shocks are Monroe.

Will be really interested to see if it feels less bouncy too.

I had noticed it dipping more on our lovely smooth roads (spot the sarcasm Bucks County Council!) recently. I think the old springs, heavy bullbar, and some offroading finished it off! Poor old Howie does get some serious use - I'm so missing a Panda available for loading old cookers etc

 

[homeward]

...I'm so missing a Panda available for loading old cookers etc

I may have a turquoise Selecta that fits the bill perfectly....

 

[VmanC]

Well Howie served us well as a taxi at the NEC, even managed to tow Panto there and back without incident.

Since our return we have now managed to weld up the hole in the exhaust and make a start on the rust issues that will ruin his chances of getting an mot.

The areas we're having to concentrate on are the usual ones at the back of the sills. So far we've managed to repair the n/s sill, not a small job as the extent of the rust was far greater than what was visible. In Howie's defense I must say that there are probably quite a few Pandas running around that are just as bad if not worse.










This is most definitely a keeper for Gavin so we're doing a thorough job which should last a few years. This means cutting away the outer sill to gain access to the rust behind, then cutting away that rust until you're only left with good metal.






There was evidence of a previous repair, a piece of metal that was barely tacked in to place, I guess it must have fooled at least a couple of mot testers though.......



Next we started to put good metal back in, all the time trying to copy the shapes of the original panels. These sections were sprayed with weld through primer before fitting, then zinc primer once in place.





A new outer sill panel was then cut up to finish things off. We used a joddled joint where possible as this is much stronger. in fact the whole area should be much stonger compared to the few spot welds that Fiat try to get away with.





This took up most of last week so this week we'll be doing the same to the other side.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I've said it once, and I will countless times again. You're very brave Vern! Cracking results by the looks of it though!

Looking forward to the next set of pics