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Panda 2012+ 2012 Easy 1.2

2012 Easy 1.2 bought at around 89k miles
Overview Updates (1) Gallery Discussion

Introduction

About 89000 miles, cheap car. Hopefully cheap to own. Has a full service history from new until 2022.

Going to go over it and try to sort out anything that needs doing, and of course giving it a service.

Something very odd (that I didn't see before purchase, sadly) was the rear crash bar behind the bumper was missing! Been in a crash before and not replaced? Not sure. Only noticed because there was a little water in the spare wheel well, which i tracked down to (I think) a rubber grommet not in its place properly.
Will pick up a crash bar from a breakers yard and fit it

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Click to expand...
I may be able to help there as I have one off mine hanging in the garage. Removed for the towbar so still brand new. This is a cross version so I am uncertain if they are the same but expect so. Sounds like it had a towbar fitted and its been removed along with the grommet where the wiring would have bee through. You would need some foam packing as well.
 
The Panda Nut said:
I may be able to help there as I have one off mine hanging in the garage. Removed for the towbar so still brand new. This is a cross version so I am uncertain if they are the same but expect so. Sounds like it had a towbar fitted and its been removed along with the grommet where the wiring would have bee through. You would need some foam packing as well.
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I already have one on the way, but I appreciate the offer! Good shout on the possibility of it being removed with a towbar - I can't find any evidence of crash damage. There is some wiring going through the grommet already. Doesn't quite look factory but I haven't investigated properly yet

rmjbn1 said:
Hi and welcome :)
Black cats like Pandas it seems. Yours seems more inquisitive than our old girl
Click to expand...
We'll see if she likes it as much when its moving!
 
garyjpaterson said:
I already have one on the way, but I appreciate the offer! Good shout on the possibility of it being removed with a towbar - I can't find any evidence of crash damage. There is some wiring going through the grommet already. Doesn't quite look factory but I haven't investigated properly yet


We'll see if she likes it as much when its moving!
Click to expand...
There should be a single thin harness its the four wires for RFL and reversing lights. It should have some plastic shething outside and felt wrap inside the grommet.
 

Batch of fixes/maintenance

So the newly purchased Panda has been given a once over. Took a bit of time, as I've been making use of my parents shed so only able to get a little bit done at a time, and it adds up when you do a job, discover a part isn't right and need to send it back for another... try again next week, etc.

  • 2x new inner CV boot clamps - previously held with zip ties, CV grease everywhere... Tried fitting them on the car but it was too fiddly. Was easier pulling the driveshafts and doing it on the bench, that way I could pack new grease, clean up the mess to ensure the new clamps seal properly.
  • gearbox oil change - didn't intend to do this, but some fluid poured out when I pulled the driveshafts, so thought it best to just drain and start again fresh
  • engine oil/filter of course
  • new metal coolant pipe and seal - the seal was previously leaking. The pipe seemed ok but changed both, as it wasn't expensive but a seal on its own was
  • new thermostat - was fine for the first 500 miles or so but as temps got colder, I noticed the coolant temp would drop when coasting. Seems common that they don't close properly
  • New coolant obviously - didn't seem to get it properly bled the first time. Though I found blowing into radiator whilst cracking the bleeder, then closing whilst the pressure is still on seems to have worked. Wasn't much air, but enough that I could hear it from inside the car
  • rear dampers - upper bushes were shot
  • new (used) rear crash bar, as seen below. Previous owner must've had a towbar, removed it, but didn't refit the crashbar. They left the two anchors that bolt into the frame though, so not much use in that!
  • new front left wheel bearing and hub - bearing was fine, but two of the bolt hole threads were destroyed by prev owner... I then proceeded to add to the incompetence by damaging the wheel speed sensor removing it, and again a replacement by fitting the bearing circlip in the wrong orientation. All sorted now
  • And 2x 'new' tyres. Cheapskate, but I couldn't resist a pair of 2022 DOT code Continental WinterContact TS870's, barely worn, much cheaper than new. I'll keep an eye out for another pair, but these should keep me on the move for now

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And not a moment too soon - retiring my main vehicle for the winter. When roads get slippery, I much prefer having 4 wheels! Washed, carbs drained, hibernation commenced.

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