Technical Panda ZFA141A00 899cc

[Sigean]

Hi,

New to this site and grateful for advice on the 899cc engine. This is the pushrod engine and I believe these are uncommon in the UK (I have the car in France). Great car and there are no problem with it as the car, although 17 years old, only has 30k miles on the engine, but the hydraulic tappets are noisy. It appears to be only the one tappet at fault, and only when the engine is hot. Any thoughts? Might there be items in the valve train that are prone to wear and could be changed? I have seen some threads dealing with a conversion to mechanical tappets and this might be an option, but which engine type would offer a compatible donor? Any thoughts welcome, and I apologise if I am repeating an issue, but I really would like to solve this problem which is starting to spoil an otherwise fabbo little car! By the way, is there a Haynes manual dealing with this (non-FIRE) engine type? The only one I have found in the UK covers different engines from mine.......

Sigean

 

[VmanC]

Hi welcome to the Panda section!

As you say we don't have this engine in a Panda here, but if it's used in the cinq or Seicento here that section of the Forum may be able to help. I know there are at least a couple of Panda Guys here that have Cinq and Seicento experience so they may be able to help when they come on.

My own thoughts are that renewing the hydraulic tappets would be the best way forward as they are a plus point when working properly. If you must revert back to manually adjustable type I would imagine that the Mk1 Panda or Seat Marbella engines (903cc) would provide the parts needed.

 

[Sigean]

Many thanks and I will give this some thought. I agree that the hydraulic operation should be a good thing and am surprised that there has been a problem so early in the engine's life. I hope my technical French will cope with the discussion I might need to have at my local Fiat dealer!

 

[Sigean]

Not sure if anyone is interested in this thread as it is now about 5 years old, but this weekend I gave the little Panda a full service and used an engine oil from the company "Smith and Allen", based in the NE of the UK, I believe. I have used their oils in my motorcycles and I asked their advice for the Panda, noting the noisy tappet issue mentioned above. They recommended their "Ultra 15w-40 Engine Oil" as one compatible with hydraulic tappet designs. Great stuff! The engine has been remarkably quiet since the oil change with no rattles apart from a slight tapping on startup over the last 300 miles. Others might be interested in this - I must stress that I have no interest in or connection with the oil company apart from as a very satisfied customer.