General Is my Dynamic 1.2 engine the same as yours?

[Creamola]

Got this new Dynamic 1.2 aircon about a month ago. It replaced a standard 2004 model 1.2 Dynamic non-aircon.

Without the aircon switched on, initial impressions are that this seems quite a different car from the last one (which I also had from new):

- Quieter
- Seems to feel tighter, more directional steering less body roll
- Slower

It's the fact that it seems a lot slower that confuses me. I know it's only got 500 miles on the clock but getting to 60 seems to take an age.

I have compared this against the old car, on a bit of road that has a standing start from a set of traffic lights to a sharp corner. On the old car, I would be hitting 55 by the time I got to the corner, in this one, I am just hitting 40 - and that's without the aircon on.

Once I get it up near 70 on a dual carriageway in 70, it seems a bit more sprightly - it's just that I now run out of dual carriageway before I get to 70 ....

OK, so it might still be running in (does the engine management damp down performance until it has reached a certain mileage?) but I can't really take it back to the dealer and say "this doesn't go very fast".

Having a peek in the engine (I'm not very mechanical) it does seem like the whole engine bay is different to my last 1.2 - and with a big plastic cover over the top (it might have been there on the other car - but I don't recall it.

So, wondering if the very latest 1.2's have a different engine on new engine mangement to make them Euro IV compliant or something, I have taken a http://www.flickr.com/photos/81892322@N00/140199177/ picture. Does your 1.2 look like this - or have I got something a bit new and different?



Thanks,
Creamola.

 

[Jai]

looks just like our eleganza (same 1242cc engine) will take a foto of it when mrs t returns from work

as for performance with the aircon unit, i understand the weight penalty for the unit is there, but minor, and whilst drivng i having noticed much of a diffrence with it on or off, very nippy either way

 

[PandaUK]

Header tank for the cooling system is different but otherwise it is like my 05 Dynamic Dualogic.

 

[AlexGP]

The engine is basically the same as that fitted to my new Grande Punto.

It wasn't so quick for the first 500 miles, but now I'm approaching 1000 there is a significant difference for the better.

Give it time to bed in.

I'd be interested to compare the Panda 1.2 to the Grande Punto, as my other half is thinking about getting a Panda now she's realised how good Fiats are!

 

[Boanerges]

I have the same car, October 2004 model. The engine bay looks identical except for the oil filler cap which on your new model has changed from a rubber square bung to a round cap (on an extended metal tube?). If so that's an improvement making topping up the oil less fiddly.
Re the performance, I have noticed an improvement in 6 months from 5,000 miles to 12,000. I think the 1.2 engines need a good running in period and don't give their best until a good few miles have built up. They also seem to run better when thrashed a bit, ie revs round towards 6k (there is no red line on the tacho).
Re the air-con. I used mine today (really warm weather) and it has started making a horrible whirring noise when the compressor is running. Oh dear!

 

[Jai]

They also seem to run better when thrashed a bit, ie revs round towards 6k (there is no red line on the tacho).

will you please tell mrs t thats how you drive a panda, and i'm doing the right thing!!!

Re the air-con. I used mine today (really warm weather) and it has started making a horrible whirring noise when the compressor is running. Oh dear!

same issue last year:
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/35180-whirring-noise.html?highlight=compressor

which got sorted here:
https://www.fiatforum.com/garages/35397-kudos-continental.html?highlight=continental

get it in asap i think they said the bearing inside had worn so they replaced the whole thing under warranty, which was handy coz they regassed the system too!

 

[Advanced Driver]

This is very interesting. I test drove a Panda, and to be honest, I thought it was rubbish :shakehead. Before the drive I was very keen, and almost ready to buy, but after the test drive I was really pleased to get back in my own car.

The car had about 800 miles on the clock if I remember correctly. I found the car VERY slow, even compared to my 899cc Seicento :bang:. The engine was stupidly quiet, I could barely hear it at all, which made driving more difficult. The road noise was a bit too intrusive for me too, it was like a low pitch drone which was driving me mad. I never got to see how it handled. After getting to the end of the first road I didn't want to drive it any more, I was bored!

The first thing I noticed when getting back in my car was how fast my car was/felt. My dreams were completely shattered

It does seem stupid to me that demonstrator vehicles have such low mileages. I would much prefer one with 10,000+ miles on it.

Oh yeah, don't take a brand new car up to 6,000rpm straight away .

 

[Creamola]

Thanks all - so I take it that there is nothing strange about my engine or the fact that it has YET to get nippy.

In fact, driving home tonight, I gave it a bit of welly (as Turboned suggested) and it certainly seemed to be more sprightly.

 

[Boanerges]

That's the spirit! I reckon the throttle pedal is a bit stiff in the Panda compared to my old 1.2 Punto. I'm sure the brochure and blurb at the launch said the 1.2 Panda had an 'electronic' throttle ie no cable instead a potentiometer thingy. No - I looked and there is the accelerator cable snaking round and attached to a plastic cam on the throttle body. I think this 'slow' feel to the car is down to pedal resistance. When I give mine some welly it fair old zings round to 6 or 7k revs but too often you can end up plodding around 3k, discouraged to press the pedal down due to resistance.
End up driving like a Maestro diesel. It doesn't encourage you to use the full pedal travel.
I may do some checks with the air filter housing off to see if the cable is restricted or anything. I have known past cars to not open the carb throttle fully due to maladjusted cables - every inch counts with 60bhp.
On another note - is the Panda kerbweight identical to the Punto MKII 8 valve? I'm sure it should feel more nippy although at high speeds the poorer aerodynamics will count against it.

 

[scottish_guy69]

I have a 2004 1.2 Dynamic. I fequently hit 5000-5500 RPM. definetly needs a good 10k running in. ECU limits revs at about 6500 RPM. i wouldn't take it that high to often. max power is around 5000 RPM.