Technical Multijet timing chain failure!

[Blueboy54123]

Its clearly been looked after and not messed about so I bet its a good buy. As you have a reduction you can be ready to change this is required. Trekking is a great choice. Better in slippery conditions than a standard 2wd and has the slightly higher stance of the 4x4. Good luck and do keep following on here

Thanks panda that's reassuring im picking it up on Saturday we've had a panda 1.2 petrol before it was my sons he sold that and is coming back to another panda the lady convinced me its a beautiful car and the pictures look good time will tell I like panda they are ice to work on i changed the previous pandas rear shocks and springs really easy to do then the petrol gauge that was easy once I changed the pump only to find it was the earth underneath the battery carrier but hey ho we learn something new everyday Thanks for replying

 

[koalar]

Good luck

 

[Blueboy54123]

Good luck

Thanks koalar you helped le with the old panda petrol gauge not working it wasn't the pump after all it was the earth underneath the battery carrier but I really enjoyed getting to know the old girl I will report on the new panda next week good or bad have a good weekend thanks

 

[AdmiralAlcatraz]

She has agreed to drop the price to £2400 because the timing chain hasn't been changed i only had£3000so hopefully i can cover the cost with the £600 left hopefully the car is worth that much

I have included what it cost me to get mine done, this is on a Punto, but the cost will be about the same. Bare in mind I work for a garage, so I would add about another 25-50% on to this for a retail customer. I get very favourable labour rates.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I have no clue about a Punto's engine bay, but the Panda is a real pain for any significant work like this - IIRC there was a poster on here who did this only a week or two ago and rated it one of the worst jobs he'd ever done. Others will tell me if I misremember.

 

[DaveMcT]

My 2009 broke its timing chain at 120,000. Owner said it had made no rattles beforehand. When I opened it up the chain stretch was minimal but side plates had fractured.

My brother bought a 2013 (312) at 85,000 the cam chain sounded like a 1980s Honda bike. The tensioner had gone past its limit long ago.

I fitted new rockers & lifters along with a new chain. After a rough start (I believe air in fuel injection) it’s now running really well. If your’s is low miles, you’ll not be touching the injection system and valve lifters won’t need any work.

 

[DaveMcT]

I have no clue about a Punto's engine bay, but the Panda is a real pain for any significant work like this - IIRC there was a poster on here who did this only a week or two ago and rated it one of the worst jobs he'd ever done. Others will tell me if I misremember.

Timing chain is not especially bad on Panda. The only annoyance is refitting the water pump. My method is to lower the engine on a jack to remove the water pump and belt tensioner. Now remove the sump pan and jack it up so the 2x2 post can hold the engine safely. Do the timing chain, refit the sump and repeat the lowering idea to fit tensioner and water pump. Use an Allen key to lock the tensioner back. It makes belt fitting so easy.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Timing chain is not especially bad on Panda. The only annoyance is refitting the water pump. My method is to lower the engine on a jack to remove the water pump and belt tensioner. Now remove the sump pan and jack it up so the 2x2 post can hold the engine safely. Do the timing chain, refit the sump and repeat the lowering idea to fit tensioner and water pump. Use an Allen key to lock the tensioner back. It makes belt fitting so easy.

I read that highlighted phrase.

Then I read the rest.

Then I thought 'if that's a not especially bad, then something very rude which I'd best not commit to the page'

 

[DaveMcT]

Fair comment. A timing belt would be wonderful but Fiat allowed GM demand a timing chain be used.

That said, a Mk2 Punto HGT is only slightly less hassle. The cam locks need the cam cover removing and are (very) not cheap. The timing belt cover uses as many screws as the Multijet timing chain cover. Even with the engine wedged across the engine bay, I had to use a screwdriver Torx bit and M8 ratchet spanner to get them out.

The MJ timing chain is more trouble than a timing belt, costs more in parts and only lasts about 100,000 miles. But the engine is great to use, so I forgive it a lot.

 

[DaveMcT]

A broken timing chain will have bent at least two valves. So it’s a cylinder head off job. The affected valves will look fine. I located mine in the dark by shining a small torch into each inlet and exhaust port. My #3 exhaust valves were shining 1/2 way around = toast.

I did a full clean-up and lapped every valve. You need a small magnet to fit the valve keepers. Very fiddly.