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Panda My new (cheap) Panda multijet

2008 1.3d Dynamic Multijet

Introduction

One lady owner before me with FSH but high milage - 160k. Seems to need nothing doing and everything works! Not bad for less than £500 and so far is averaging 80mpg!! 😎

My word, Fiats have come a long way since the rot boxes of the 70s!
A bargain indeed...sounds great!
I've driven two diesel Fiat Doblos in past years (2004) and (2008) models and was very pleased - as well as surprised - at how reliable they were. One of them went I kept running beyond 250,000 miles (however I did end up spending about £1,100 in order to squeeze out the final 50,000 miles or so! I believe both Doblos were built in Turkey.

...but £500 for a FSH and frugal diesel ... great!
 
I agree, for a small cheap car they're amazingly well built :)

Body is galvanised, so rust shouldn't be too much of a concern.
But watch out for rear spring cups, rear sills, mud trap behind front springs, and engine sump pan.
I smear mine with old engine oil a couple of times a year.

Check 'duckbill' scuttle drains below the wipers regularly - they block easily

And keep the cam chain happy on a high miler with regular oil changes
 
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This is a 2008 car, so will have the ordinary solid cam gears (later models have an anti-backlash gear). The older design will break its cam chain side plates - usually at around 120,000 miles. There will be no rattle, because the chain will not be worn out. Regular oil changes make no difference because it's not a lubrication issue.

If your timing chain has been replaced - Happy days.

If your timing chain has not been replaced then get it done ASAP. A replacement chain set is not cheap, but a broken cam chain needs a lot more work and many more parts. I took my engine and gearbox out of the car for better access. I was very glad that I did. Access is horrible in the car.

When the chain is replaced, get the rockers and lifters done at the same time. Rockers jammed by falling out needle rollers risk damage to damage to the cams. These are done without touching the head gasket and minimal additional labour on top of the cam chain work.

I also suggest you check inside the intake manifold for carbon buildup. The air pipe is fiddly to remove but a flashlight and mirror will tell you if there is anything to be concerned about.
 
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Treated her (now officially named 'Little P') to a home oil and filter service. I'm convinced she now sounds even smoother with fresh oil in!

Well worth doing yourself if you can, local garage quoted £250, cost me just over £40 doing it myself. 😎
 
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