General Panda Cross 1.3 multjjet 2013

[killie77]

Hi
I’ve only had the Panda about a week now. The gear shift has loosened up a bit and it’s much easier to drive than when I bought it..
I’ve noticed when the engine is warmed up I think I can hear a kind of droning noise coming from what I suspect is the Near Side Front.. if I lift my foot from the accelerator the noise appears to dissapear until I engage the accelerator. Bear in mind, I’m as Deaf as a Post
It may be nothing. Any comments would be most grateful
Ian

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

It’s possible the noise is coming from the flexible section of the exhaust - towards the front of the car - so to your left when you’re driving. They’re prone to breaking there.

As to the stiff gearchange, have you seen my ‘how to cure that’ post in the ‘Guides’ section… here https://www.fiatforum.com/guides/cure-for-a-stiff-gearlever-multijet-4x4.841/

Pete

 

[killie77]

Thanks for the reply.
I’ve seen the post regarding the stiff gear change. Soon as I get a chance I’ll have a go at that.
Thanks
Ian

 

[killie77]

Finally sorted the stiff gear change. Can’t take the Credit for it my Stepson, took out the Pivot Pin cleaned it and greased it before reassembly. Drives like a different Car. Managed to get him to do an Oil and Filter change at his work, another job out of the way. With all that done I’m thinking of selling it. I like the drive but the Wife won’t drive a manual.
So I’m on the look out for a small auto.

 

[jrkitching]

So I’m on the look out for a small auto.

If you want or need a small auto, my personal recommendation would be to look for an EV.

Most modern small autos use some form of robotised manual transmission (like the Fiat Dualogic). These tend to be both troublesome and expensive to fix once they're past the 5yr/50k mile mark - this forum has a shedload of sad stories from folks who've bought one in the second half of its life and encountered problems. And if you're buying a late model petrol car, I've yet to drive one with an autobox that works comfortably with the current crop of 3 cylinder engines.

 

[killie77]

Thanks for the reply, I’m in the process of getting rid of an EV BYD dolphin. Lease is ending in December this year. I may try and return it earlier. I’ve looked at a Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSi DSG auto it’s on a 2013 plate, private seller if all goes well that could be my next Car.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

We went the EV route too. Happy as the proverbial with our i3

 

[killie77]

Lucky man, Ours must have been Cursed by a Chinese Shaman

 

[jrkitching]

What problems have you experienced with it?

 

[killie77]

Had 3 non fault accidents in 14 months. It has to go

 

[jrkitching]

Had 3 non fault accidents in 14 months. It has to go

That's rotten luck.

Something similar happened to me about 40 years ago.

Had one of the very last of the 2 litre Capris on lease, and had every expectation of buying it and keeping it longterm, but other drivers had other plans, including one very nasty front end smash that bent the inner legs, needing it to go in a body jig. I thought it'd be written off but it was less than a month old and the insurers wanted it repaired. It never drove properly again, one reason why I'm not a fan of heavy repairs on structurally damaged cars. I let it go after the first year, and felt sorry for anyone who subsequently owned it.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Somewhere out there is a metallic dark grey 17 plate Panda 4x4 MultiJet that I owned briefly. I bought it a year old with just over 3000 miles on it. It was written off after a large gravel truck went into the back of it. Someone clearly bought the salvage though, as it’s been MOT’d since it left me in 2018. I wouldn’t want to drive it, personally, as it was clearly out of shape around the back end and rear floor area.