Panda (Classic) White Panda Mania 34k miles

[AndyReact]

since my last update i have replaced all the engine mounts (didn't make much difference, but always better with new bits on!)

replaced thermostat and both radiator hoses

and today i got round to some back-to-blacking! (using autoglym bumper gel - works nice!)

front in progress:

side things in progress:

front done:

rear done:

as you can see from the earlier pics it looks a million times better for that! i did all exterior plastic (even the washer jets!) and parcel shelf, seat belt plastic bits and dash too (just rubbed the cloth round on the dash, didn't actually add any gunk to it)

 

[AndyReact]

this mornings job was flush and replace the gearbox oil, it was a bit noisy and crunched getting in gears - only about 1 litre came out of the gearbox, so that would explain that!! :bang:

filled it with 20w50 motor oil, went for a spin to get it all up to temp, and use every gear, then dropped it out and refilled, loads better, still crunches slightly into gear, but fine if you don't rush it!

i will be filling it with the correct gear oil when i get round to it (before summer anyway!)

if you haven't checked/changed your gearbox oil recently i would recommend it!

 

[AndyReact]

front tie rod bushes changed today!

new vs old....

also noticed my inner CV boots are leaking, they are held on with zip ties so i am assuming thats the problem, just ordered some proper clips and the pliers from ebay (10 pairs of clips! lol)

i have an oil leak from the front left side of the engine... any ideas before i delve into it a bit more?

cheers

 

[kolza]

i have an oil leak from the front left side of the engine... any ideas before i delve into it a bit more?

cheers

Yes, drain the oil before removing the boot, before that make sure that the whole area around the diff flange and speedo cable is clean and run the car for few miles.Tthe leak might be through the large thin O-ring between the flange and diff/gbox case or the small O-ring on speedo cable output.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

they are held on with zip ties so i am assuming thats the problem,

Never had a problem with mine when zip tied on.

 

[Camo16]

Hi AndyReact - just wondering, does that autoglym gel stay black and not run/leave streaks after rain? Previous owner of my Tipo put something on that mostly washed off after the first proper clean, but streaks still appear after a deluge! Where did you get it? Looks ace.

 

[AndyReact]

Hi @AndyReact - just wondering, does that autoglym gel stay black and not run/leave streaks after rain? Previous owner of my Tipo put something on that mostly washed off after the first proper clean, but streaks still appear after a deluge! Where did you get it? Looks ace.

the autoglym stuff had good reviews - saying it lasts a long time etc on the halfords website (thats where i got it from) I try not to get the panda wet, so i don't know personally how well it holds up to a down pour! :yuck:

 

[AndyReact]

Hi @AndyReact - just wondering, does that autoglym gel stay black and not run/leave streaks after rain? Previous owner of my Tipo put something on that mostly washed off after the first proper clean, but streaks still appear after a deluge! Where did you get it? Looks ace.

and after what i said, i got caught out in a loads of sleet n hail!

anyway, here is the result of rain on this autoglym stuff :

looks like it should be ok!

 

[Camo16]

Good result, that! Think I'll mosey down to Halfords for some Autoglym, then.

 

[blu73]

Yay, 750 Mania Friend!!!

I'm planning to do my bumpers and trim at some point in the near future.. I have tried the autogylm stuff before and it does get good results but I don't find it lasts all that long, particularly if the car is kept outside.. After much reseaching online I am going to buy an actual plastic dye kit, I'm going to get this stuff i think Forever Black Bumper & Trim Cleaner & Reconditioner Dye Kit: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Anyhow, I will be posting the results in my thread once done.

Keep up the good work Andy, the panda looks awesome.

 

[AndyReact]

yeah, the forever black is a good idea! then use the autoglym to keep it looking good

 

[classico]

Thats a nice looking result chap. Think I might try that on mine. To be fair the bumpers dont look too bad on mine but the plastic bits just forward of the rear wheels look like they may have been painted or summat as they look half light grey and half dark grey? Mines a 750 Mania same year, same colour but double the miles. Yours also seems to be missing the clock, just something someone said on here. Mines missing the interesting mobile ashtray though! Not neccessarily that big a deal as the wife cant seem to find the ashtray in her car anyway........

 

[AndyReact]

yeah, i would like a clock! i can only assume it was never installed at the factory, because i don't think someone would remove it to fit the blanking plate?!

 

[AndyReact]

got some more new bits!! 4x shocks (and dust covers/bump stops for the fronts), new front top mounts, and new bottom arms

new vs old

yeah, i think they were past their best!

only managed to get the rears swapped today, bits arrived at 2pm and going to a local classic meet tomorrow, so didn't want to start on anything i might not get finished!

also changed HT leads and set the dizzy timing by ear - 750 rocket ship now!

 

[lukmek]

cool, me and a mate did a 3000 mile euro trip in his turd brown 998cc mini auto a few years ago! that had 19k miles on when we started, the head gasket popped the week before! it started to struggle to get into 3rd gear in the south of france and I ended up "repairing" the leaking windscreen surround with butter! good times!

does anyone know of a source/alternative to the black foam under the bonnet, its gone a bit "crispy" and fairly sure its gonna disintegrate if I touch it!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311266797922?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[lukmek]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311266797922?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[AndyReact]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311266797922?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

looks good, cheers!

had a good day out today at a local classic meet, was loads of cars there, complete mish mash of everything! i drove my dads T25 Syncro pick up, my mate drove my panda

this might give some 4x4 owners a run for there money!

 

[AndyReact]

got my front shocks, top mounts and bottom arms changed today, took it for a spin and all was well, then it thanked me for all the work i am doing on it by dumping all its gearbox oil on the drive! DOH!

i recently put new clips on the CV, so its either that is wrong, or i have disturbed it while changing the suspension bits, i needed the correct oil in the gearbox anyway!

 

[AndyReact]

nothing too exciting to report - i fitted the CV boot properly and filled up with the correct gear oil - went with Miller classic gear oil - £30 delivered for 5 litres from Opie oils

its much quieter, i would advise NOT to run engine oil in your gearbox, even though its meant to be "OK" !

i also added some PTFE tape onto the rad fan switch to stop that leaking - now it only leaks a tiny bit of engine oil instead of everything like when i got it! lol

next job will be 5 new (wider) tyres and wheels powder coated... although i would like to improve the handling - any suggestions? (i don't want to lower it though) it just feels like it takes a while before steering input does anything!

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Hi Andy, sounds like the project is coming along well! I'd just like to suggest that if you're getting steel wheels, don't powder coat them. Instead get them blasted and sprayed or spray them yourself. Powder coating won't last long before the rust sets in again.