Panda (Classic) My 4x4 - The Muddy Pics!

[AndyPanda4x4]

That's what it's all about - being able to drive the roads every day but having the ability to go anywhere when you want to or need to. There is alot to be said for Land rovers they are obviously great for the keen off-roader, also simple mechanical vehicles (at the moment), but driving a Panda off road is so much more fun and alot more cheeky!

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Well amidst my usual tuesday night of taking Buff to bits I decided to tackle the problem with my silver 4x4 that has been developing over the last couple of weeks. It has been about on the forum recently with other members' cars aswell:-

Starting cold is fine, runs great with choke until it warms up, choke in for 5 mins or so is fine then idling it cuts out. If you are driving when it warms up its a bit jerky but tolerable then you let the revs drop and it stops. However if you let the revs drop when it is warm and pull the choke it does idle.

So this eve I have replaced the coil, distributor cap & ignition module (the rotor arm got done a month or two ago when I did the plugs and leads).

The engine has not improved at all.

So now I'm thinking it's carb overhaul time.

 

[Giacosa]

Well amidst my usual tuesday night of taking Buff to bits I decided to tackle the problem with my silver 4x4 that has been developing over the last couple of weeks. It has been about on the forum recently with other members' cars aswell:-

Starting cold is fine, runs great with choke until it warms up, choke in for 5 mins or so is fine then idling it cuts out. If you are driving when it warms up its a bit jerky but tolerable then you let the revs drop and it stops. However if you let the revs drop when it is warm and pull the choke it does idle.

So this eve I have replaced the coil, distributor cap & ignition module (the rotor arm got done a month or two ago when I did the plugs and leads).

The engine has not improved at all.

So now I'm thinking it's carb overhaul time.

It does sound carb related considering the choke affects the problem. Blocked idle jet maybe?

 

[VmanC]

Yep does sound like dirt in the carb.

Two easy things to check first before you go for a complete carb overhaul are the idle solenoid, and the two jets in the top of the carb (visible when the air filter is removed. Only ten minutes to check these things so worth a try.

 

[homeward]

Just found this chart... -- and I may be using the "Engine won't idle" column to try and sort out Betty, before I take her back to Vernon... -- to do a proper job...!

 

[Didge3]

Well amidst my usual tuesday night of taking Buff to bits I decided to tackle the problem with my silver 4x4 that has been developing over the last couple of weeks. It has been about on the forum recently with other members' cars aswell:-

Starting cold is fine, runs great with choke until it warms up, choke in for 5 mins or so is fine then idling it cuts out. If you are driving when it warms up its a bit jerky but tolerable then you let the revs drop and it stops. However if you let the revs drop when it is warm and pull the choke it does idle.

So this eve I have replaced the coil, distributor cap & ignition module (the rotor arm got done a month or two ago when I did the plugs and leads).

The engine has not improved at all.

So now I'm thinking it's carb overhaul time.

Sounds similar to what Char' was doing here except she wasn't cutting out, just nearly dying and picking herself up unless she was ran on choke.
How long has the problem been persisting, Char' just sort of fixed herself after about a week and hasn't done it since.

 

[aquamarine]

Hmm, does sound similar to my car's issues. That did turn out to be carb. Tried the usual suspects (solenoid, air leak, blocked jet/filter, deteriorating fuel pipes)?

Edit: realised most of this has been suggested already - must speed read less!

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Thanks for all the info guys and the links!

I have a plan, it's my birthday on Saturday and the Mrs has been on wanting to know what I want to do for it so I am thinking work on the Panda be a great way to spend the day, 31 isn't a milestone birthday and it's surely the only day in the year where I can have an excuse to leave her with the kids for the day!

I'm in agreeance with your theories of the carb and no doubt I won't have helped it by sinking her in mud fairly regularly. Most of the problems have kicked off since the last time I steam cleaned the engine bay (which I do after every time I go off roading), but I guess some dirt has got a little deeper this time.

I will keep you posted

 

[nitro_warrior]

I had a similar issue that took me ages to work out. Basically the fuel line had split, I only noticed once it had got so bad that it started leaking. It was on the hard fuel line before the flexi rubber hose. Also does the car sit around at all? Unleaded fuel evaporates over time leaving a red sludge that's a classic carb blocker

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

I had a similar issue that took me ages to work out. Basically the fuel line had split, I only noticed once it had got so bad that it started leaking. It was on the hard fuel line before the flexi rubber hose. Also does the car sit around at all? Unleaded fuel evaporates over time leaving a red sludge that's a classic carb blocker

Good idea I will check the lines while I am on. I use the car every day for work and most weekends it does a trip or two, plus it had a new fuel tank two years ago a bit after I got it (and before they became impossible to get) so I would hope that the fuel has not stagnated. If investigation in the other areas proves unsuccessful though I will get the tank off and give her a swill out.

 

[onemanmade]

Good idea I will check the lines while I am on. I use the car every day for work and most weekends it does a trip or two, plus it had a new fuel tank two years ago a bit after I got it (and before they became impossible to get) so I would hope that the fuel has not stagnated. If investigation in the other areas proves unsuccessful though I will get the tank off and give her a swill out.

http://www.ebay.it/itm/KRAFTSTOFFBE..._Autoteile&hash=item56618525ea#ht_7506wt_1141

Is this the right thing? I know quite a few people are looking for them, a bit expensive though?

 

[VmanC]

http://www.ebay.it/itm/KRAFTSTOFFBE..._Autoteile&hash=item56618525ea#ht_7506wt_1141

Is this the right thing? I know quite a few people are looking for them, a bit expensive though?

This tank is for the later injected 4x4's that never came here. One day when we're really desperate we may have to look at modding one to fit the carb models though.

 

[onemanmade]

This tank is for the later injected 4x4's that never came here. One day when we're really desperate we may have to look at modding one to fit the carb models though.

Ah right sorry! Thought it was a bit too easy

 

[homeward]

Ah right sorry! Thought it was a bit too easy

You're not the first to suggest this, and you won't be the last.... (And I was sooooo proud.... (How are the mighty fallen, etc..))

Thankfully, you don't get laughed at, like you do in other sections of the forum, though.... :slayer:

 

[Palio]

You're not the first to suggest this, and you won't be the last.... (And I was sooooo proud.... (How are the mighty fallen, etc..))

Thankfully, you don't get laughed at, like you do in other sections of the forum, though.... :slayer:

:nerner:

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

http://www.ebay.it/itm/KRAFTSTOFFBE..._Autoteile&hash=item56618525ea#ht_7506wt_1141

Is this the right thing? I know quite a few people are looking for them, a bit expensive though?

Good job for having a look , I am sure that one day someone will open a shed somewhere and it will be full to the top with 4x4 fuel tanks, filler neck pipes, Sisley centre caps, CLX & 4x4 plastic door strips & rear quarter plastic, rear window hinges that aren't cracked, rear leaf springs, internally adjustable passenger side mirrors etc. But until that day as VmanC says we will just have to make them!

Edit: Thinking now I am suprised we don't have a thread for bits that are now unobtanium. homeward has one been done before?

 

[homeward]

Edit: Thinking now I am suprised we don't have a thread for bits that are now unobtanium. homeward has one been done before?

Not that I know of... -- but it would make a good sticky...! Dragon Man purple haze... :worship:

PS: I'd like to add 'Formula' decals to the list, please...!

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Not that I know of... -- but it would make a good sticky...! Dragon Man purple haze... :worship:

PS: I'd like to add 'Formula' decals to the list, please...!

...And we could offer assistance on how to make said replacement parts, like the epic creation that is my filler neck piper created out of a Seicento neck-to-body mount and a bit of filler pipe from a Cavalier, anchor resinned together

Talking about stickies and epic posts I think that The Pandits Alphabet should be resurrected!!!

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

So the carb has been fully stripped and cleaned today, mixture and timing reset and the engine runs better than it ever has now - and it idles perfect! So as you all advised it appears the carb was the problem, so thanks all

One fix brings another issue though it appears, as on the way to the workshop the exhaust split where the prop had warn through it. Found that the central support bushes have collapsed so they are now to source and replace.

This months job list is slowly increasing but I am still hoping to go ahead with the suspension lift at the end of the month.

 

[kolza]

Andy, by end of March i'm expecting delivery of two new OE 127 flanges, will mod them at work. Price- to be confirmed - cheaper than ebay.it or riazlipanda4x4 unless your going for full set.