Timing chain or belt? | FIAT Panda (2012+)
I have a 4x4 Panda twinair 2013 registered. How do I know if it has a timing chain or a belt please?
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- Thread starter Andre Standing
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Chain. Has balance shaft for 360 degree-ness of engine. Have a look here
Uses Uni-air technology for inlet valve timing (essentially servo-hydraulic lifters for variable timing) this uses engine oil as the actuator fluid this is why (oil) servicing should be scrupulous.
JaffaOrange
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... it does, but misses out more recent info. The TwinAir was hailed as a miracle engine when launched: clean burning, high power for small size and unbelievable economy with super low CO2 emissions. Trouble is, the emissions and economy figures were unbelievable, and once the WLTP emissions and fuel consumption testing came along, instead of predictions of 60mpg or more in the Panda, the 'real world' value fell to the high 30s mpg. The claimed super low emissions were also found to be unachievable in real world use. It turned out that it needed meticulous servicing (especially a very specific oil requirement) and this led to the original 18,000 mile service and oil change intervals being halved to 9,000 miles or annually from (I think) 2015. As a result of these issues, Fiat quietly dropped this engine altogether from most models from 2017 onwards. It will go down in history as being a technically brilliant engine, but one that never quite lived up to expectations for many drivers. (The equally acclaimed small diesel, the 1.3 MultiJet was also found to miss the lab-predicted emissions levels and was similarly dropped from much of the catalogue at the same time.)
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thebluepanda
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I think I'm correct in saying chain for the twin air. I'm a 1.2 4cyl owner with a belt.
Yes, you're right. Posts 21, 22, 23 & 24 also refer
thebluepanda
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Ah, haha there was an advert under the post asking the question and i didn't scroll down to see those confirmations! dohYes, you're right. Posts 21, 22, 23 & 24 also refer
Thankfully Fiat were never stupid enough to thrust wet belts onto their customers. Hopefully Groupe PSA have learnt their lessons and won't use them again either, but certainly all Fiat Powertrain (FPT) engines have traditional belts or chains - chains in the case of TwinAir and FireFly petrol engines and 1.3 Multijet diesel. Belts in the 1.2 & 1.4 FIRE, plus many others.
Andre Standing
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Yes, the MOT history is a bit frustrating. I have had all these things fixed, and the oil leak is very minimal. I regularly check the oil levels (although the dipstick is remarkably hard to read). I am beginning to think I won't be able to sell the car at all, although it is in good condition and I think it is a great little car.
The dipstick for the TwinAir is the most ridiculous design, being off-white in colour. I used to have to press it against a lint-free cloth and work out the oil level from there on my Parents 500 & Sister's MiTo TwinAirs.
Why not just keep it?
thebluepanda
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He states in his opening post that he is leaving the U.K.
Oops, missed that - thank you for pointing this out.
thebluepanda
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NP. I replied to another question and didn’t see that about 4 other people had already got there before me!
In which case chuck it at WBAC, take what you can get and walk away. You win some, you lose some.
I suspect “visual presentation” is everything, inside+out - their “mission” will be to spot loads of blemishes to knock down their website price. Anyone got actual experience?
Yes. The man was very apologetic but he had to follow the checklist religiously. He then gave me some money back because the car was in such good condition - he had a small discretionary pot he could use.
Anyhooo, the plethora small chippings meant there wasn't an awful lot left so I thanked him for his kindness and took my car home. A bit like this dent fixing:
