Essex Newbie

[MrBlonde81]

Hi

New to the forum and recently bought a Fiat Panda 1.1 eco 2009 for a little run about.

Done quiet a bit of work to it already,engine mounts,HT leads,Plugs,Oil & Filter,Air filter,new gear cables,coolant change with thermo.

Have new front disc & pads to put on also.

Trouble im having at the moment is that it needs a new clutch,if someone could point me in the right direction of a guide to fit a clutch that would be great please.

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi and welcome
I followed this video, it's for a 500 but they're the same:


I found it very helpful, but I don't know how he gets the gearbox back on the car by himself. I needed an assistant to hold it up.

I would also recommend checking the input shaft for play - the bearing is a known weakness on these gearboxes and can leak oil onto your new clutch if it gets bad.

The gearbox has to come apart to get at it, but personally I would replace the input shaft bearing and seal plus both driveshaft seals whilst the 'box is off the car. I added some photos and useful links here:
https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/clutch-slip-2004-panda-1-2.483277/#post-4587726

 

[MrBlonde81]

Thanks for that link to the video,i shall have a watch.Worth replacing the fork also?.

Had a couple of quotes and more exspensive than i thought just for a little panda

 

[rmjbn1]

Worth replacing the fork also?.

I didn't, but then I was happy with my pedal action and biting point, I knew my clutch was slipping due to oil contamination (I had failed crankshaft main rear seal and input shaft seal).

There's also the workshop procedure for removing the gearbox (LHD, so cable clutch) here, if it's helpful:

Home Page

aftersales.fiat.com

As you're future-proofing your Panda, have you checked these areas for rust?

• rear axle spring pans
• rear sills (access via rubber bung in rear wheel arch and base of b-pillar)
• coolant return pipe across front of engine
• engine sump pan
• mud trap behind front springs
• brakes (build-up of rust on sliding surfaces of front calipers & inside of rear drums)
• exhaust bracket below cat

Check the 'duckbill' scuttle drains below the wipers are clear - they block easily. Check the condition of the wiring loom in this area - the loom tape disintegrates.

 

[MrBlonde81]

I didn't, but then I was happy with my pedal action and biting point, I knew my clutch was slipping due to oil contamination (I had failed crankshaft main rear seal and input shaft seal).

There's also the workshop procedure for removing the gearbox (LHD, so cable clutch) here, if it's helpful:

Home Page

aftersales.fiat.com

As you're future-proofing your Panda, have you checked these areas for rust?

• rear axle spring pans
• rear sills (access via rubber bung in rear wheel arch and base of b-pillar)
• coolant return pipe across front of engine
• engine sump pan
• mud trap behind front springs
• brakes (build-up of rust on sliding surfaces of front calipers & inside of rear drums)
• exhaust bracket below cat

Check the 'duckbill' scuttle drains below the wipers are clear - they block easily. Check the condition of the wiring loom in this area - the loom tape disintegrates.

Thanks for all the info mate,i have done the scuttle & was blocked like you say.I will check all the rest also when i change the front discs/pads.

I have just ordered a new clucth slave cylinder so hopefully that will sort things,if not its the clutch.

 

[rmjbn1]

I have just ordered a new clucth slave cylinder so hopefully that will sort things,if not its the clutch.

What are the symptoms? A sticky, squeaky clutch is quite common on these, with an easy fix. Current thread on this topic here:

Clutch slave cylinder | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

My 100HP needed a new clutch master (clutch not releasing properly, with bleeding the hydraulic giving a temporary fix . Slave wasn't perfect but it worked normally. My diesel has been just the same. New master and clutch works fine.

www.fiatforum.com

I thought more of the regulars would chime in, but this general welcome section maybe doesn't get as many visitors. You'd probably get more replies if you post in the Panda section here: https://www.fiatforum.com/forums/panda-mk3.72/

 

[MrBlonde81]

What are the symptoms? A sticky, squeaky clutch is quite common on these, with an easy fix. Current thread on this topic here:

Clutch slave cylinder | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

My 100HP needed a new clutch master (clutch not releasing properly, with bleeding the hydraulic giving a temporary fix . Slave wasn't perfect but it worked normally. My diesel has been just the same. New master and clutch works fine.

www.fiatforum.com

I thought more of the regulars would chime in, but this general welcome section maybe doesn't get as many visitors. You'd probably get more replies if you post in the Panda section here: https://www.fiatforum.com/forums/panda-mk3.72/

Pretty much feels like slipping clutch but it happened straight away while driving than gradually overtime.

I thought it was the cable as gearbox end,as one of the ends of the cable was broken.

Was driving normally on the way to work then all of a sudden after changing gear it felt like slipping clutch.

 

[rmjbn1]

The clutch on RHD cars is hydraulic with its own small reservoir - hows's the fluid?

The two cables operate the gear selector, one moves it left and right, the other back and forward. Can make it difficult to select a gear if the cables are worn, but not related to the clutch.

If the clutch is worn out, the pedal can often feel very heavy.

If the slave is sticking and not releasing the clutch, then the pedal will stick down with it.

If there's oil fouling the clutch, you might find the bottom of the bellhousing wet with engine oil under the car if the crank main rear seal has failed (mine was).

There's also an inspection hole on top of the bell housing - it's hidden under a coolant hose. It'll be dirty inside, if it's dry and powdery all well, if it's wet and oily with the distinctive smell of transmission oil then the input shaft seal has failed. I'm not sure if this could contaminate the clutch plate, but not impossible.

 

[MrBlonde81]

Thank you very much for the info @rmjbn1 I need to adjust the new gear cables i think,so trying to figure out on how to do this also.

Clutch fluid is fine,i changed that & bleed the slave cylinder.Level is all good and not dropping.

I will fit the new slave cylinder & go from there,if still same its down to a new clutch etc.I will prob do this job myself as had quotes from garages which i see to exspensive for a little car.