Phiz
Member
Well thats pretty conclusive then, I'll flush it first the fit the radiator. I've had a word with a mate and have now sourced a garden hose, hopefully I'll get on to it Sunday.
General Work Begins... Finally. 94 Panda CLX
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General Work Begins... Finally. 94 Panda CLX
Well thats pretty conclusive then, I'll flush it first the fit the radiator. I've had a word with a mate and have now sourced a garden hose, hopefully I'll get on to it Sunday.
Phiz
Member
So it's still saying upload failed so still no photos
.
This evening we had another go at the brakes, we did manage to get the T joint out without completely removing the axle. By loosening the four bolts holding the axle mounting plate in place I got an extra 5mm clearance, which was just enough to get a hand between the tank and axle! So I got the T piece and flexi-pipe out and refitted. Only issue with doing it this way (rather than dropping the axle) is we then had to connect the two new lengths of pipe running to each drum in situ. One of them was no problem... one of them (drivers side) I just could not get tight enough. There was only just enough movement with a spanner to turn an 8th of a turn at a time and then when it was nearly tight enough, the pressure just popped the t-piece mounting bolt and square plastic plug out of the hole! Much better than our last attempt but still weeping... think this time I'll drive the car to my mechanics workshop and refuse to move it until he's tightened it for me.
We then got the new handbrake cable on relatively trouble free. The only issue being the round plastic end on the cable housing (which the spring sits on) was slightly larger than the original one! This meant it was a struggle getting the two ends through the trailing arms... ended up slightly trimming two opposing sides of the plastic with a stanley knife so it would just fit.
Anyhow no more work on the car until Sunday when I'll work on flushing the coolant pipes and then fitting the new radiator. Then I'll drop the oil/filter and get it booked for an MOT so I can find out what I've missed.
.This evening we had another go at the brakes, we did manage to get the T joint out without completely removing the axle. By loosening the four bolts holding the axle mounting plate in place I got an extra 5mm clearance, which was just enough to get a hand between the tank and axle! So I got the T piece and flexi-pipe out and refitted. Only issue with doing it this way (rather than dropping the axle) is we then had to connect the two new lengths of pipe running to each drum in situ. One of them was no problem... one of them (drivers side) I just could not get tight enough. There was only just enough movement with a spanner to turn an 8th of a turn at a time and then when it was nearly tight enough, the pressure just popped the t-piece mounting bolt and square plastic plug out of the hole! Much better than our last attempt but still weeping... think this time I'll drive the car to my mechanics workshop and refuse to move it until he's tightened it for me
.We then got the new handbrake cable on relatively trouble free. The only issue being the round plastic end on the cable housing (which the spring sits on) was slightly larger than the original one! This meant it was a struggle getting the two ends through the trailing arms... ended up slightly trimming two opposing sides of the plastic with a stanley knife so it would just fit.
Anyhow no more work on the car until Sunday when I'll work on flushing the coolant pipes and then fitting the new radiator. Then I'll drop the oil/filter and get it booked for an MOT so I can find out what I've missed
.
That T piece man, where it is protects it from the road spray i guess... and spanners! My mechanic had to drop the tank so well done for getting furtherSo it's still saying upload failed so still no photos
This evening we had another go at the brakes, we did manage to get the T joint out without completely removing the axle. By loosening the four bolts holding the axle mounting plate in place I got an extra 5mm clearance, which was just enough to get a hand between the tank and axle! So I got the T piece and flexi-pipe out and refitted. Only issue with doing it this way (rather than dropping the axle) is we then had to connect the two new lengths of pipe running to each drum in situ. One of them was no problem... one of them (drivers side) I just could not get tight enough. There was only just enough movement with a spanner to turn an 8th of a turn at a time and then when it was nearly tight enough, the pressure just popped the t-piece mounting bolt and square plastic plug out of the hole! Much better than our last attempt but still weeping... think this time I'll drive the car to my mechanics workshop and refuse to move it until he's tightened it for me
We then got the new handbrake cable on relatively trouble free. The only issue being the round plastic end on the cable housing (which the spring sits on) was slightly larger than the original one! This meant it was a struggle getting the two ends through the trailing arms... ended up slightly trimming two opposing sides of the plastic with a stanley knife so it would just fit.
Anyhow no more work on the car until Sunday when I'll work on flushing the coolant pipes and then fitting the new radiator. Then I'll drop the oil/filter and get it booked for an MOT so I can find out what I've missed
Sure you wont have missed anything man
Phiz
Member
So just a quick update, over the bank holiday weekend we finally flushed out the cooling system and fitted the new radiator!
Given I'd already drained all the coolant when I did the water pump this first run through was fresh water with the radiator flushing detergent in it! We did three more runs through with water before we got water coming back out again you would consider swimming in!
Cannot believe how easy fitting the radiator is on these cars. After we'd got the new one on Martin did an oil and filter change on his MR2 and it took longer than the timing belt on the Panda!
The old radiator didn't look too shoddy, just a little rusty on the bottom corners, I'll stick it in a box in the attic! I guess given how easy a job it is to swap they probably get changed over everytime someone buys a car and does not know it's history. Mine has just under 90k miles on the clock... wonder how many radiators it's had.
Did notice that of the four screws holding the plastic grill on, 3 of them looked virtually brand new and the other one was pretty much a stick of rust. It was a slightly different screw but I can't see why someone would swap three of them and leave that one on? Either way, found something suitable in the workshop so all sorted.
Spoke with my mechanic mate, I've got the oil and filter in to change then I'll check lights etc. and pass it on to him to tighten that bugger of a brake pipe union and take it for an MOT and see how he gets on, fingers crossed I'll then have to start looking for a even remotely realistic insurance quote for it
Oh and having seen the ongoing discussions on this, blue coolant! I'll swap it regularly.
Given I'd already drained all the coolant when I did the water pump this first run through was fresh water with the radiator flushing detergent in it! We did three more runs through with water before we got water coming back out again you would consider swimming in!
Cannot believe how easy fitting the radiator is on these cars. After we'd got the new one on Martin did an oil and filter change on his MR2 and it took longer than the timing belt on the Panda!
The old radiator didn't look too shoddy, just a little rusty on the bottom corners, I'll stick it in a box in the attic! I guess given how easy a job it is to swap they probably get changed over everytime someone buys a car and does not know it's history. Mine has just under 90k miles on the clock... wonder how many radiators it's had
. Did notice that of the four screws holding the plastic grill on, 3 of them looked virtually brand new and the other one was pretty much a stick of rust. It was a slightly different screw but I can't see why someone would swap three of them and leave that one on? Either way, found something suitable in the workshop so all sorted.
Spoke with my mechanic mate, I've got the oil and filter in to change then I'll check lights etc. and pass it on to him to tighten that bugger of a brake pipe union and take it for an MOT and see how he gets on, fingers crossed I'll then have to start looking for a even remotely realistic insurance quote for it
Oh and having seen the ongoing discussions on this, blue coolant! I'll swap it regularly
.Phiz
Member
Quick update.
So did the oil and filter the other day and I don't think Fiat could have made the task any easier. I jacked the car up and put it on axle stands but given the location of the sump plug and the filter I could have probably done it on the ground!
When I got the new filter out of the box (QH branded) I was pleased to see I had an oil filter socket which was the right size for it, I'd got it for an old bike of mine where the oil filter is within the sump and difficult to get to.
After quietly high fiving myself for having the right tool I got under the car to remove the old filter, which I think was Fram branded? Anyhow, that did not fit the socket! I had an old filter wrench kicking about but it seemed to big for the old filter, so I wrapped a block of wood in sand paper, jammed that in and job done. Not sure what the correct procedure would have been, though now it doesn't matter, as the new filter will fit my socket!
So on to today. I'm taking the car to my mechanic mate on Monday so he can tighten the brake line I can't get to and take it for it's MOT! Figured I'd better check the car over pre MOT.
-There is some corrosion and a previous repair near the front of the passenger side sill (inside footwell mostly), which I'm hoping will get through the MOT so I can get the car on the road and start properly checking it over before doing this repair. All I can really do on that one is keep my fingers crossed, so yeah fingers crossed!
-I checked all the lights were working and the rear fog was not. I figured the switch was OK as the light came on the dash to tell me I had the fogs on when I pressed it, I bought a new bulb but that still didn't work. I could not work out which fuse was for the fog light so removed and reinserted pretty well all of them and bizzarely the fog light then started working. Further enquiries required but hopefully it'll get through the test first!
-When I tested the horn it was not working, which was strange as I must have pressed it by mistake about 100 times while working on the car! I had a look and realised the actual horn press was quite loose, I looked on the back and the two screws holding it on were different. One of them had been swapped for a self tapper which was not doing a great job of holding it in place. The other one had worked loose and then it had no longer got a good connection. I found what I assume was the original screw in the footwell, refitted it and the problem seems to be solved!
-While all this was going on my mate from the workshop nextdoor turned up and remarked that he always washes his cars before an MOT, first impressions and all. I was planning on not doing anything 'cosmetic' until the mechanicals and underside where completely mint but figured he had a point so a few buckets of water and some car washing stuff later and it had a bit more shine to it. Not a thorough clean by any means but just enough to smarten it up a little. This may help with the MOT, though if the tester was frightened of spiders it might have been better to leave it as it was.
Typically no camera with me during all this but when I pull the carpet out completely for cleaning I'll show you the rust and hopefully my progress dealing with it!
Anyhow keep your fingers crossed for me over the start of this coming week!
So did the oil and filter the other day and I don't think Fiat could have made the task any easier. I jacked the car up and put it on axle stands but given the location of the sump plug and the filter I could have probably done it on the ground!
When I got the new filter out of the box (QH branded) I was pleased to see I had an oil filter socket which was the right size for it, I'd got it for an old bike of mine where the oil filter is within the sump and difficult to get to.
After quietly high fiving myself for having the right tool I got under the car to remove the old filter, which I think was Fram branded? Anyhow, that did not fit the socket! I had an old filter wrench kicking about but it seemed to big for the old filter, so I wrapped a block of wood in sand paper, jammed that in and job done. Not sure what the correct procedure would have been, though now it doesn't matter, as the new filter will fit my socket!
So on to today. I'm taking the car to my mechanic mate on Monday so he can tighten the brake line I can't get to and take it for it's MOT! Figured I'd better check the car over pre MOT.
-There is some corrosion and a previous repair near the front of the passenger side sill (inside footwell mostly), which I'm hoping will get through the MOT so I can get the car on the road and start properly checking it over before doing this repair. All I can really do on that one is keep my fingers crossed, so yeah fingers crossed!
-I checked all the lights were working and the rear fog was not. I figured the switch was OK as the light came on the dash to tell me I had the fogs on when I pressed it, I bought a new bulb but that still didn't work. I could not work out which fuse was for the fog light so removed and reinserted pretty well all of them and bizzarely the fog light then started working. Further enquiries required but hopefully it'll get through the test first!
-When I tested the horn it was not working, which was strange as I must have pressed it by mistake about 100 times while working on the car! I had a look and realised the actual horn press was quite loose, I looked on the back and the two screws holding it on were different. One of them had been swapped for a self tapper which was not doing a great job of holding it in place. The other one had worked loose and then it had no longer got a good connection. I found what I assume was the original screw in the footwell, refitted it and the problem seems to be solved!
-While all this was going on my mate from the workshop nextdoor turned up and remarked that he always washes his cars before an MOT, first impressions and all. I was planning on not doing anything 'cosmetic' until the mechanicals and underside where completely mint but figured he had a point so a few buckets of water and some car washing stuff later and it had a bit more shine to it. Not a thorough clean by any means but just enough to smarten it up a little. This may help with the MOT, though if the tester was frightened of spiders it might have been better to leave it as it was
.Typically no camera with me during all this but when I pull the carpet out completely for cleaning I'll show you the rust and hopefully my progress dealing with it!
Anyhow keep your fingers crossed for me over the start of this coming week!
great work on changing the coolant and radiator, oil and filter
all very easy jobs but well worth doing!
all very easy jobs but well worth doing!
Phiz
Member
Yeah great little cars to work on. Just got to hope I can drive it a bit before my work continues. It's about 300 mile short of 90k, been a long time waiting for that milestone!
yeah drive it a good bit, call it a shakedown
Phiz
Member
yeah drive it a good bit, call it a shakedown
We'll drive it to Edinburgh and back, should know about any faults by the time we get home
i would imagine soWe'll drive it to Edinburgh and back, should know about any faults by the time we get home
Phiz
Member
So, mechanic tightened the difficult to get to brake pipe union and drove it to the MOT testing station. He's left it there overnight so hopefully will get it tested tomorrow. However he did say that on the way there the brakes were VERY spongy, not suprising given I'd not bled them properly due to the leaky union! In a way I wish he'd either bled them after sorting the leak and charged me accordingly or returned it to me to bleed pre MOT but at least going in for a test I'll get to know if there is any other work needed to get it on the road.
Keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow!
Keep your fingers crossed for me tomorrow!
Phiz
Member
Still waiting on the MOT... bit difficult to type with my fingers crossed!
Still back on the search for insurance in the meantime, hopefully not too much work to do from here to get on the road. Trouble is if I can't get a classic policy I might have to insure if for a few months then park it up with no insurance while I keep working on it before reinsuring it for the Russia trip. Less than ideal.
Still back on the search for insurance in the meantime, hopefully not too much work to do from here to get on the road. Trouble is if I can't get a classic policy I might have to insure if for a few months then park it up with no insurance while I keep working on it before reinsuring it for the Russia trip. Less than ideal
.
theres quite a few classic policy companies now so i am sure you will get oneStill waiting on the MOT... bit difficult to type with my fingers crossed!
Still back on the search for insurance in the meantime, hopefully not too much work to do from here to get on the road. Trouble is if I can't get a classic policy I might have to insure if for a few months then park it up with no insurance while I keep working on it before reinsuring it for the Russia trip. Less than ideal
Phiz
Member
12 MONTHS MOT WITH NO ADVISORIES !!!!!
Now on to deal with insurance and get the panda on the road!!!
Did notice that in the three days the MOT garage had my Panda that it had covered in the region of 30 miles, a bit strange given it was only about 2 miles away. A bit will have been the rolling road but other than that I guess they must have just taken a shine to it, probably why they had it so long.
I do still need to bleed the brakes though.
!!!!!Now on to deal with insurance and get the panda on the road!!!
Did notice that in the three days the MOT garage had my Panda that it had covered in the region of 30 miles, a bit strange given it was only about 2 miles away. A bit will have been the rolling road but other than that I guess they must have just taken a shine to it
, probably why they had it so long.I do still need to bleed the brakes though.
oh man well done!! same week as me too!12 MONTHS MOT WITH NO ADVISORIES
Now on to deal with insurance and get the panda on the road!!!
Did notice that in the three days the MOT garage had my Panda that it had covered in the region of 30 miles, a bit strange given it was only about 2 miles away. A bit will have been the rolling road but other than that I guess they must have just taken a shine to it
I do still need to bleed the brakes though.
get some photos up!
Phiz
Member
I'm afraid this is the only one I got today! Car back from the garage, strangely mucky given I washed it before I took it!
Sjvarley
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12 MONTHS MOT WITH NO ADVISORIES
Now on to deal with insurance and get the panda on the road!!!
Did notice that in the three days the MOT garage had my Panda that it had covered in the region of 30 miles, a bit strange given it was only about 2 miles away. A bit will have been the rolling road but other than that I guess they must have just taken a shine to it
I do still need to bleed the brakes though.
Well they popped over to mine
So I could swap a few bits !!
