General Old chestnut - Panda has crap performance

[Latman]

I think I aired this one many months ago but didn't get any feedback that helped me to resolve the problem. So I'll try again. My standard Fire 1000 Panda has been running like a dog for some time but at least it was running. Over the weekend I gave somebody a lift to Stansted and back and over the period the performance rapidly deteriorated. By the morning, having left the car overnight, the car was (and is) virtually unstartable. Pulling the choke out kills the engine completely. The only was to start it now is to have the foot full down on the throttle and the choke almost competely released. After about 10 mins (or more), the temperature starts rising and goes right up to 95 (before the fan cuts in). At that point the engine allows itself to be revved right up and the temperature drops virtually right back down to 65. Driving it, it displays a complete lack of power and I can't get more than 40mph. The fuel consumption to Stansted was appalling - I used £20 worth of fuel London-Stansted-London. On the journey to Stansted, the temperature rarely fell below 90 (on my Sisley it usually remains around 65). I'm not much good on ignition/fuel system problems and can't afford to take it to a garage so...

 

[John H]

My money is on the head gasket.

Particularly if the coolant level has suddenly dropped.


Other than that, a completely choked air filter might give your choke and fuel consumption problems - but I wouldn't expect the high temperatures.

In the light of Pauls experience with the linkages on his choke, it might be worth seeing if the choke is actually working over its expected range.

A jammed shut thermostat will have dramatic effects on the temperature, usually resulting in a boil up.


Any other thoughts??

 

[Panda_Boy2]

yeah i'd say head gasket too

 

[pandafan]

Before you do anything really serious, try thougherly cleaning your carb and checking the advance tube for cracks etc.

 

[Latman]

I know that the carb has been cleaned thoroughly because of this problem. I don't think it's the gasket, as suggested above, because the oil colour is absolutely fine. Now, the vacuum advance is something I could go with. I'm going to take a look at that. Thanks Pandafan (and others)

 

[Giacosa]

Dont be fooled by the oil colour I drove a panda for near on 2 yrs with a blown head gasket because there was no mayo under the oil filler so did not suspect. It still drove but with crap flat noisy performance. Wen i took the head off finally there was a visible crack in the gasket. Has anybody been messing with its timing belt? The timing being badly out could cause those symptoms