Panda (Classic) Charmanda(er) The Panda

[homeward]

Thought a vacuum leak would cause her to idle high rather than too low?

No: you'd get a rough idle, and a bit of a struggle for power, low down, IIRC. (A bit like Betty... -- hence me thinking that this makes sense; or at least a possible air leak, somewhere....)

 

[Giacosa]

If I remember right one trick to diagnosing the problem is to spray carb cleaner on various bits of the carb to see if it improves idle quality.

 

[homeward]

If I remember right one trick to diagnosing the problem is to spray carb cleaner on various bits of the carb to see if it improves idle quality.

Funny you should say that... -- I dug a can of the stuff out of the shed, earlier, and put it in Betty's boot...!

And yes -- before some wiseacre responds... -- I do know that the carb isn't in the boot...!

 

[blu73]

whenever i use carb cleaner the whole can always ends up being used, its just so good at cleaning stuff i get carried away cleaning parts i never intended

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

whenever i use carb cleaner the whole can always ends up being used, its just so good at cleaning stuff i get carried away cleaning parts i never intended

Too true!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

whenever i use carb cleaner the whole can always ends up being used, its just so good at cleaning stuff i get carried away cleaning parts i never intended

Ditto - and the smell also! :yum:

 

[Didge3]

Well whatever it was it has completely gone for the time being, she's running fine again

 

[blu73]

tiny but of dirt in carb thats cleared itself out maybe. Meh, don't worry unless it comes back.

 

[homeward]

Well whatever it was it has completely gone for the time being, she's running fine again

Can you come and work your magic on Betty, please...!? :worship:

 

[pandamaniac]

Reading the thread I bet Dragon Man and MEP have a spare carb in the boot!
Dave

 

[Didge3]

Can you come and work your magic on Betty, please...!? :worship:

Uhhh, all I remember doing was getting very angry and then giving up, leaving her overnight. Next day she was fine. Drove 70miles last night in her, didn't miss a beat. Have yet to start her today, we'll see.

Edit: Started her just now, was a bit of effort to get her going but started on about the 3rd time, ran her up to about 55C and then killed the choke, idle is fine. Whatever it was, I'm touching wood the problem has well and truly gone.

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Glad to hear it - maybe just so muck in the carb?

 

[Didge3]

140miles later and she's still fine so some dirt in the carb that eventually got free I'm guessing. She's still being a total pain to start on a cold morning. Not sure if its spark or a too lean mixture. She won't start with the choke all the way out ever, about 1/2 and she'll splutter and almost catch, maybe 4th or 5th time she'll actually fire up

 

[VmanC]

140miles later and she's still fine so some dirt in the carb that eventually got free I'm guessing. She's still being a total pain to start on a cold morning. Not sure if its spark or a too lean mixture. She won't start with the choke all the way out ever, about 1/2 and she'll splutter and almost catch, maybe 4th or 5th time she'll actually fire up

Worth trying a sports coil I think.

 

[purple haze]

All the pandas I have had the routine was different to start it....

Then different times of the year that even changed. The Sergio starts off the choke, I then catch it on the throttle and pull the choke out. It's just about getting to grips with the car and it's choke..takes time and 36 years of having a manual choke you get a feel for it. Your getting there..

 

[Didge3]

Worth trying a sports coil I think.

Where can I get one? Whats the difference?

 

[VmanC]

Where can I get one? Whats the difference?

Any motor factors should be able to supply one.

They develop a higher output voltage to give a bigger spark. If your original coil is getting week anyway it will make a big difference, it certainly did on Oslo.

I've never really had to do much with coils until I got into Pandas .

 

[Didge3]

Any motor factors should be able to supply one.

They develop a higher output voltage to give a bigger spark. If your original coil is getting week anyway it will make a big difference, it certainly did on Oslo.

I've never really had to do much with coils until I got into Pandas .

I know literally nothing about coil packs, wouldn't know where to start I'll ask around

 

[blu73]

they aren't complicated things, is just some coils of wire - just like a power adaptor on one of your household electrical items. Think back to your GCSE Physics, electromagnetic induction.... 'spark' any memories (sorry i couldn't help myself).

So in simple terms, the coil jumps up the voltage, a sports coil will just have more, well, coils inside on the leads side. I remember when everyone had coils and it was standard issue to cut a tin of your favourite flavour drink can and wrap it around your sports coil. Them were the days i tell thee.

 

[Didge3]

they aren't complicated things, is just some coils of wire - just like a power adaptor on one of your household electrical items. Think back to your GCSE Physics, electromagnetic induction.... 'spark' any memories (sorry i couldn't help myself).

So in simple terms, the coil jumps up the voltage, a sports coil will just have more, well, coils inside on the leads side. I remember when everyone had coils and it was standard issue to cut a tin of your favourite flavour drink can and wrap it around your sports coil. Them were the days i tell thee.

Are they pretty universal then? Looked on ebay and most will say fits Fiat Panda/Cinq/Sei/Punto/justabouteverything etc?
I'll have a poke under Char's bonnet and see if I can even identify mine first...