Technical No air con?

[portland_bill]

Re the aircon would you service it now or wait for spring?

The aircon gas also contains some special oil, that circulates when the system is running. This oil lubricates the pump, but importantly, also keeps the seals, in the pump and at each pipe joint, supple. Without the oil, the seals shrink, allowing the gas out.
The longer it is left without gas, the more likely it is that the seals will fail. Whilst seals are cheap, the labour is not, as they are fiddly to fit. A new pump is around £200, or more, plus fitting.
Of course, you have no idea how long it has been out of action. Most garages now service aircon. They can evacuate the system, and apply a vacuum, and see if it holds. If it won't hold, there is an obvious leak. At that point, you can just leave it, never to work again, and cook in the little greenhouse in the summer, or the next stage is to pressurise it with nitrogen and search for the leak. Once found, a quote for repair will be forthcoming. Of course, after any such leak is fixed, it could still need a pump.

 

[koalar]

If you switch the engine on with the A/C off

Look at the center of the compressor pulley it should be stationary

Have someone push the A,/C on the light should come on and the center of the compressor starts turning

Like this, not a Panda but very similar

If it does, there must be still some pressure in the system, and probably worth a shot at a re-gas

There is a safety feature, no pressure, no engagement

I use the Aircon more in winter than summer, it almost instantly demists the windscreen

Unlikely but If you have access to a scan tool that can access the body module the pressure can be read directly

I not 100% sure if the light comes on or not if there's no pressure, most cars don't and yours does so it's worth looking for the clutch engagement as in the video as a quick next step

 

[ForkieX30]

Checked it and no, the middle isn't turning.

 

[koalar]

Same, it's unlikely to just need a re-gas

If fairly common for the condenser to leak as it subject to years of stones and salt,

But without the right equipment we can only guess

A mobile Aircon guy will check it out and give you a quote,

It's variable depending who you get but someone did get a condenser fitted and a re-gas for under £255 about a year ago

 

[ForkieX30]

Given how much I'll be using the car it's not worth spending that much on it.

I can ask at the garage next week though, they might do a free investigation.

 

[jrkitching]

Given how much I'll be using the car it's not worth spending that much on it

Neither would I; paying a quarter of what the car cost to fix something you don't need isn't what low cost motoring is all about.

And if the compressor is toast, it'll cost you close to what you paid for the car!

I have a friend with a Volvo that lunched its compressor at around four years old; despite the car being worth well into five figures at the time, he decided that spending the best part of £1500 just to have A/C working again wasn't worth it.

It's still an improvement on the first few cars I owned; on those, you had to wind a handle to get fresh air into the car; on the Panda, you can just press a couple of buttons on the centre console!

Happy motoring with your new car.

 

[ForkieX30]

It's still an improvement on the first few cars I owned; on those, you had to wind a handle to get fresh air into the car; on the Panda, you can just press a couple of buttons on the centre console.

To be honest I'm not feeling that way at the moment. My first car was great until the underneath was eventually corroded beyond repair, and the second (same Susuki model but newer) was even better until corrosion and repair costs finally got the better of that too.

I'm hoping the initial issues with my Panda are either simple repairs or just the differences between brands and I'll eventually get used to them, although I think I'm stuck with what I'm sad to say are the worst pedals I've ever used. Still, early days yet.

 

[jrkitching]

I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed with your purchase.

The pedal position has been commented on since the car launched. I got used to mine fairly quickly, but they definitely don't line up with your feet when sitting naturally. They're too close together, as well. I'm a size 9 and can imagine anyone with larger feel might struggle not to press two at once.

The self cancelling indicators that won't latch just when you need them most are another frustrating Panda feature which could have been designed better.

But apart from the A/C and the slight exhaust leak, what else do you think is wrong with it?

 

[koalar]

I often swap between two car

Panda - mercedes A class
Then later on
Panda - Suzuki Splash

There all very similar driving positions, pedals, even the clutch bit points are very similar


If I jump into or from a seat there is an adjustment period as on these cars the brake pedal is higher than the rest


Finding the seat position, is important

 

[ForkieX30]

I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed with your purchase.

The pedal position has been commented on since the car launched. I got used to mine fairly quickly, but they definitely don't line up with your feet when sitting naturally. They're too close together, as well. I'm a size 9 and can imagine anyone with larger feel might struggle not to press two at once.

I'm also a size 9 and I'm finding them really close. It's taking full concentration to get my foot in exactly the right place to press the brake without also pressing the throttle, but I've learnt to keep my clutch foot far left to give me a little more room. I just wish the throttle was another inch or three to the right, and a bit lower.

But apart from the A/C and the slight exhaust leak, what else do you think is wrong with it?

There's the engine blip, which is hopefully just spark plugs or the air filter, and yesterday I started thinking the clutch is very high and it is occasionally hard to push into gear, perhaps normal or maybe a sign the plate is wearing.

When I opened the boot after rain the other day the floor was wet, I don't know if it's a leak or if it spilled in as it was opened.

Difficult to see coolant level, I overfilled and had to suck some out again.

Mirrors are very very small compared to my previous two Suzukis.

Other than those it's looking good, it's comfortable and surprisingly fast, although a bit lower than I was hoping for. The steering is very light and the ride is soft. Fingers crossed I can get it fixed up and it will do me well.

 

[jrkitching]

but I've learnt to keep my clutch foot far left to give me a little more room.

There's a footrest for your left foot built into the trim around the centre console.

 

[ForkieX30]

I often swap between two car

Panda - mercedes A class
Then later on
Panda - Suzuki Splash

There all very similar driving positions, pedals, even the clutch bit points are very similar


If I jump into or from a seat there is an adjustment period as on these cars the brake pedal is higher than the rest


Finding the seat position, is important

On my Suzuki there's 4 inches between the pedals and the throttle is about half the height of the others so it feels very different. Unfortunately my Panda only has the basic seat so not much adjustment, but I'm gonna see if I can turn it if I have time over the weekend.

I'm no stranger to swapping vehicles myself, I once drove 5 completely different tractors in the same day, then drove home in my car and jumped in a Land Rover.

 

[ForkieX30]

I meant when I'm pressing the clutch. But I hadn't noticed that, thanks.

There's a footrest for your left foot built into the trim around the centre console.

 

[jrkitching]

Mirrors are very very small compared to my previous two Suzukis

This was fixed for the 2010 model year (my own 169 has the larger mirrors) and aroused considerable discussion at the time; not everyone was in favour of them, but I find they work well for me.

It's possible to swap them for the later type if it really bothers you.

 

[ForkieX30]

I

This was fixed for the 2010 model year (my own 169 has the larger mirrors) and aroused considerable discussion at the time; not everyone was in favour of them, but I find they work well for me.

I've just missed out then, doh!

I loved the mirrors on my first Suzuki, they were about a foot square, awesome things. Hopefully I'll get used to these, they're not that bad.

 

[jrkitching]

Difficult to see coolant level, I overfilled and had to suck some out again

If yours is the one with the expansion tank at the side of the radiator, use a thin strip of cardboard as a disposable dipstick.

 

[ForkieX30]

I've just discovered the pedals are a million times better if I wear my wellies instead of my trainers, so there's one problem sorted.

 

[koalar]

Pretty much every car is now has fairly level pedals

Swapping to a car to or from a car where they are not is awkward, but you soon readjust

I am size 12

 

[koalar]

When I opened the boot after rain the other day the floor was wet, I don't know if it's a leak or if it spilled in as it was opened.

Probably the most urgent job

It not uncommon for the rear to fill with water

Unfortunately there's not one answer

Click on the link below might help

Water in boot of Fiat panda 169 | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

Hi, I was fitting some seat covers the other day when I noticed condensation on my pumping my boot. I went to pick it up and realised that the carpet in the boot was soaked through. When I lifted the carpet up, my spare wheel was swimming in water. I dried it out and checked around for holes but...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[koalar]

Difficult to see coolant level, I overfilled and had to suck some out again.

It's not the best design, made worse if someone diluted the coolant too much with water

there are several options

Blow down a pipe,and listen for bubbles as it hits the coolant, I find this the quickest

You can see the level if look down the top

At night you can shine a bright touch against the side