Technical Sump worry

[Van Diemen]

Obviously you have to go with what you feel is right but I would definitely suggest trying an independent garage, even if it's just a recomended independent that doens't specialise in Fiats. Pandas are complicated car and should continue to be cheap to maintain for a number of years.

 

[babbo_umbro]

Obviously you have to go with what you feel is right but I would definitely suggest trying an independent garage, even if it's just a recomended independent that doens't specialise in Fiats. Pandas are complicated car and should continue to be cheap to maintain for a number of years.

I assume you NOT complicated car?

 

[D4nny8oy]

Surely this is what the dealer should be doing anyway?

Thing is, with the normal steel sumps and even the Alfa alloy sumps, you get a 'feel' over time for what is tight enough and you never have a problem.

It's just with the 1.4 16v sumps, they seem to have added extra cheese into the alloy, and I found several over the years with a slight weep- even on the first service .

 

[306maxi]

Thing is, with the normal steel sumps and even the Alfa alloy sumps, you get a 'feel' over time for what is tight enough and you never have a problem.

It's just with the 1.4 16v sumps, they seem to have added extra cheese into the alloy, and I found several over the years with a slight weep- even on the first service .

and they make the suspension parts out of recycled sumps I assume?

 

[trackdayqueen]

It's just with the 1.4 16v sumps, they seem to have added extra cheese into the alloy, and I found several over the years with a slight weep- even on the first service .

Good point, must keep reminding myself it's a Fiat.

 

[Van Diemen]

I assume you NOT complicated car?

Yes exactly....I meant the Panda is NOT a complicated car. Ahem.

 

[james_f]

Even replacing the sump shouldn't cost that much should it?

I've been told (by two garages) that the sump on my Panda 4x4 is rusting out and needs changing. £70 for the sump, £70 to change it. I'll get it done but not right now as not urgent...

I realise it's a different engine, and steel not aluminium, but the price quoted above seems a bit steep!

 

[Polypedates]

The 100HP sump is aluminium and the sump plug is steel so if overtightened it wrecks the sump and not the cheap plug - excellent design. Half the cost they quoted to replace it was labour as they say the exhaust manifold and cat have to be removed first and it is a 2-3 hour job.

Thanks for the local specialist Dan, that is definitely useful for me. Don't worry Lauren, your expereince persuaded me to test drive it but the choice to buy was all my own. To be honest I've calmed down a bit now so deciding whether to keep it and hope it will prove cheaper going forward since I'd have to replace it with something much older so no gurantee a different car would be any better anyhow - I just tend to give an old car more leeway in these things.

 

[james_f]

Ah right, bit more involved as well as an expensive item...

Alfa TS engines have long had this issue, helicoiling them is an accepted 'remedy'.