Technical Panda 1.2 Auto Dynamic leak at front of car

[Mikethecon]

There should be a big protective box: ally tray wrapped around there

It hints at it having been apart before..

You want access to the software ideally..

Have a look here:

https://www.fiatforum.com/multiecuscan-members-register/

Charlie

There is an alloy protection around the exhaust manifold but nothing around these.
I am assuming that means the previous owner has had issues with this before

 

[koalar]

you can see the missing protection here

http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi...=3&WINDOW_ID=1&SGRP_COD=0&SGS_COD=2&DRW_NUM=2


looks like the the electrical cables are damp ?


its likely the leak is above this point


There's no magic in finding leaks. Cleaning and inspection. if its slow it can be time consuming

 

[koalar]

Things aren't quite that simple.

The system is supposed to be depressurised before even checking the level; this is normally done using diagnostic software, though there are workarounds.

Read this thread.

This is the fluid you need.

http://4cardata.info/elearn/169/2/2009000/2000901/2001394/2752382

there's no mention of depressurising the system

are you sure


shouldn't need bleeding unless if gets too low

 

[jrkitching]

there's no mention of depressurising the system

are you sure

It's possible your version may be more up to date than mine, but the copy of eLearn I'm using calls for the system to be depressurised.

It's something of an urban legend on this (and other) forums that you can't get an accurate level reading without following this procedure. Folks have reported that filling to the max mark without depressurising can result in the reservoir being overfilled.

However, the OP's car seems to be depressurising itself when left parked for while. I'd just focus on keeping the level reasonably above the min level, and keep my fingers crossed that I could get some useful life out of it - I can't see how the cost of fixing this could possibly be justified. (At the time of writing, there's a very nice one owner 1.2 mylife in the classifieds, six years newer, for less than the retail price of an actuator).

From an MOT perspective, any fluid leak which creates a pool of more than 75mm diameter after standing for five minutes constuitutes a fail.

 

[irc]

The risk is that the fluid held under pressure in the accumulator could cause an overflow if the reservoir is topped up without depressurising.
This can be overcome by not topping up to the top mark, although it does mean you would have to top up more often.
It is a very temporary workaround though. It WILL get worse, possibly very suddenly, possibly in an awkward or dangerous place.

You could try locating the problem with a USB endoscope camera.
Or, if you can't identify it in situ, you could get the unit out and have a proper look for the problem.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Sorry for the delay. Pics now added

Having reviewed, while moist / lubricated, that isn’t leaking per say and is typical condition of any selespeed system of a similar.

Unless you’ve drive issues, or it’s actively leaking and dropping fluid as a result I’d let sleeping dogs lie and leave it well alone

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

http://4cardata.info/elearn/169/2/2009000/2000901/2001394/2752382

there's no mention of depressurising the system

are you sure


shouldn't need bleeding unless if gets too low

It should be depressurised before checking the fluid level, however the system will fully depressurise over time from the car sitting, over 12 hours or so, so might not need the software to do this if willing to wait and not start the car / open the drivers door which’ll then reprime the system.

 

[jrkitching]

however the system will fully depressurise over time from the car sitting, over 12 hours or so, so might not need the software to do this if willing to wait and not start the car / open the drivers door which’ll then reprime the system.

Depends how good the seals are. In this case, I suspect it will self depressurise quite quickly. IIRC the trigger for pressurising the accumulator is turning on the ignition.

Having reviewed, while moist / lubricated, that isn’t leaking per say and is typical condition of any selespeed system of a similar.

Whilst some misting of fluid is indeed to be expected on a car of this age, this one is actually pooling fluid onto the driveway. Take another look at the third picture.

But I'd agree that this is best left alone for as long the gearbox still works, unless it's sufficiently serious to fail an MOT (see my earlier post). If the gearbox does stop working and topping up the fluid doesn't fix it, probably best just to scrap the car. Fingers crossed for the OP that it's a long way into the future.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Depends how good the seals are. In this case, I suspect it will self depressurise quite quickly. IIRC the trigger for pressurising the accumulator is turning on the ignition.

And opening the drivers door.

Take another look at the third picture.

That looks like a previous oil stain

Although I can see in pic 2, having relooked, the oil pooling at the bottom of the bracket in the pic, so must be dripping like you say.

Tbh it’s probably a failing seal / o ring somewhere. Probably a 10p part, but trying to locate it would probably be a pig of a job.

 

[Mikethecon]

Ok. Today is the first day I have been able to get under it. Jacked the car up and got a torch on the reservoir. There appears to be fluid at the top of the reservoir and the fluid level is way above the max.

Could it be that someone has over filled and this is why it is leaking. Alternatively maybe it was leaking so the previous owner deliberately over filled it.
I have cleaned it up again and I will see if I can spot where it is coming from but it doesn't seem to be a massive leak as the size of the oil spot isn't that big.

 

[jrkitching]

Alternatively maybe it was leaking so the previous owner deliberately over filled it.

I would bet serious money that the previous owner knew exactly what they were doing when they sold it.

If you were to remove the excess fluid from the reservoir, it would not surprise me if the car developed a transmission fault within a relatively short time period.

Just the fact that it's overfilled is extremely suspicious; it's not a routine service item and if the transmission had been working properly, there'd have been no reason for the previous owner to add any fluid.

 

[irc]

Just the fact that it's overfilled is extremely suspicious; it's not a routine service item and if the transmission had been working properly, there'd have been no reason for the previous owner to add any fluid.

... although you might be surprised at the number I've come across which were working perfectly fine UNTIL somebody "topped up" the reservoir.
If your really lucky (and I mean winning lottery ticket type lucky) then someone overfilled it with the correct fluid in the mistaken belief that they were carrying out some preventative maintenance, and then sold it in a panic when it spat some fluid out. Although even then it might have split the reservoir or popped a seal from the excess pressure.

Unfortunately, jrkitching is probably correct, and you have a leaky unit which the previous owner managed to palm off on you.

 

[koalar]

I see it as Good news so far

fluid level isnt going down

just keep an eye on it

 

[jrkitching]

I see it as Good news so far fluid level isnt going down just keep an eye on it

:yeahthat:

I see it as good news that the transmission is still working.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Well, that shut us all up didn't it! - The pictures I mean, sorry, commented without going on to page 2! - Doh!

 

[Mikethecon]

So cleaned it up again and left it for a few days and whilst there is still a leak it seems to be a very slow one as the spot on the road is only the size of a 20p piece. As you can see from the pics it appears to be from the round item that has the plug going into it. Is this a pressure sensor? The leak seems to be coming from the little green slot

 

[varesecrazy]

Yes it is some form of sensor.. the green is probably assembly sealant

Its a MagnettiMarelli part.. so is available if needs be

 

[koalar]

looks like a potentiometer like this 71719387

but dont quote me

There's no seals in them as far as a know. So I doubt changing it will help.

Need someone with more knowledge than me. Sorry

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

That’s the gear position sensor so the car / ECU knows what gear is selected

 

[Mikethecon]

That’s the gear position sensor so the car / ECU knows what gear is selected

Thanks Most Easterly. I have ordered a non OEM replacement and hopefully that will stop the leak. Is it going to gush fluid out when I try and swap them over?