Panda (Classic) My Purple Panda Parade Progress log

[onemanmade]

Don't forget to add an "unleaded fuel" sticker

Nah, thats one sticker Im definetly happy not to have "as original" which isnt like me! I just don't like the look of it :/

 

[Dragon Man]

Don't forget to add an "unleaded fuel" sticker

i have one of those in my rear side window

 

[onemanmade]

i have one of those in my rear side window

The same as the original? I wonder if you can still get them? I will check ebay out of curiousity.

And Captain CLS is saying that because I removed mine while I was removing the rest of the decals because they weren't original clackety clack

 

[purple haze]

i have one of those in my rear side window

Your windows run on unleaded??

 

[onemanmade]

Ive tracked down white coachline stripe, the right size, and I have been looking for the correct colour of blue for the last week, and today I found it! To me it looks exactly the same colour, though Im sure it wont be, that would be a very big coincidence, but it looks close enough to replace them (I only have one bit of the original on the car on one size the wiggly line at the back under "parade") and also I looked at photos from the forum under Purple haze's ownership when it still had the decals, so this colour looks extremely close! Cant wait to get them on!

 

[onemanmade]

Well I will be posting a wanted ad on here, as I am now in need of a new radiator. It seems that when I was freeing one of the hoses I seem to have caused a crack where the expansion tank meets the radiator. And it seems on the underside of the opposite side too. I have used some radiator sealant as a temporary measure but I will be looking for a new/used but in good order radiator. I have checked ebay and they are a little pricey and are reproduction parts (which isn't necessarily bad, but I like my originality factor) for my liking, but are at least available! Also I will be looking to get a new camshaft, mine is the 4 x 4 one, which seems to be quite desirable, so perhaps someone would like to do a swap. Its not a big issue though, its just because I am a bit OCD for originality. (Thats the direction Im taking this car in, though not everything will be going to original conditions, but most things will be)

Keep an eye out for the wanted ad, or pm or comment if you can help! Cheers!

 

[purple haze]

4x4 cam is original so stick with the extra power... I have original spare rads, but would only fit a second hand one if I really need to...get a new one if it's std or not it really does not matter...just make sure it's new as you can't take a risk on such an important item.

 

[onemanmade]

4x4 cam is original so stick with the extra power... I have original spare rads, but would only fit a second hand one if I really need to...get a new one if it's std or not it really does not matter...just make sure it's new as you can't take a risk on such an important item.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370785433303?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 This is the radiator I've found on ebay, the expansion tank doesn't look as nice (as wierd as that sounds) but perhaps this is just a stock photo, Im not sure. I will probably go for this one to be honest, decent price I guess for a new one. On reflection you are right, it would be much better to buy a new radiator with a warranty than take a chance on a used one with no warranty. As you said it is an important part of the equation!

PH still has a slightly lumpy idle, and there is still a ticking noise present throughout the range. I cant rule out the possibility that the 4 x 4 cam may be causing this, I have visually inspected it and it seems good visually though.

Since I 1- Didn't fit it myself, I would like to learn how to do this with my dad as I haven't done it before and 2- I am slightly concerned about the (potential) difference in timing, and whether the extra 1-2mm (or thereabouts) of lift might cause the fire engine not to be "safe" in the case of a timing belt break anymore. In any case (can of worms being opened) I have doubts about the capability of the 1-2mm of lift to give an extra purported 5 bhp, also, Im not a speed guy, and I like originality. Yes, the 4 x 4 cam is original to the range, but not to my model. For the cost of a new camshaft from ebay I would like to rule this out as the cause of the ticking (I can always refit it if need be)

Obviously no disrespect is implied here , and of course I may well be wrong about the timing and the extra bhp, and I will gladly admit it if I ever get the chance to put it on a rolling road with and without the standard camshaft. (I am genuinely interested to find out) I am still learning about cars, and about fiat pandas generally, everyone has to start somewhere

 

[purple haze]

Sorry...what makes you think the cam is not original to your car??

 

[onemanmade]

Sorry...what makes you think the cam is not original to your car??

It is from a 4 x 4 panda?

 

[panda1408]

Have you checked the valve clearances? Ticking sound may also be a blowing exhaust mainfold gasket. Changing the cam can be a pain as you will need the correct shims to get the clearances correct, they can be tricky to source. I would leave it as it is and enjoy the extra 5hp, if it aint broke dont fix it!

 

[purple haze]

It is from a 4 x 4 panda?

Still learning as you say....later models such as yours..the Fizz etc came with the 4x4 cam as STANDARD as I did say...:devil:

 

[onemanmade]

Have you checked the valve clearances? Ticking sound may also be a blowing exhaust mainfold gasket. Changing the cam can be a pain as you will need the correct shims to get the clearances correct, they can be tricky to source. I would leave it as it is and enjoy the extra 5hp, if it aint broke dont fix it!

I haven't checked the valve clearances no, I will need to look through my haynes manual for that, hopefully it should have that information. I will also check for blowing in the exhaust manifold gasket, but it is a ticking that gets more rapid the higher the engine is revving, is this consistent with a blowing in the exhaust manifold gasket?

And I'm not saying there IS definately anything wrong with the cam, but If I cannot eliminate the ticking from elsewhere, I will try replacing it (assuming I can source the cam and shims) to see if that works.

 

[onemanmade]

Still learning as you say....later models such as yours..the Fizz etc came with the 4x4 cam as STANDARD as I did say...:devil:

I can't say about the fizz, but the brochure for the parade states that it comes with 45 bhp. And (to the best of my knowledge) my car had the cam it came with replaced with one from a 4 x 4. Is this correct? You will have to forgive me, I'm becoming somewhat confused

 

[purple haze]

Fiat like most Italian motor companies tended to use what they had on the shelves...I have owned Italian stuff from the same year with different parts.

The year matches along with the fizz and the fizz was a cheaper model than yours...your cam came with the car from the factory.

 

[firstcar-Y10]

On the 4x4 cam thing, is it possible Fiat started fitting 4x4 cams to compensate for the loss of power when they started putting cats on? Timing seems to tie in with the changeover.

 

[onemanmade]

Fiat like most Italian motor companies tended to use what they had on the shelves...I have owned Italian stuff from the same year with different parts.

The year matches along with the fizz and the fizz was a cheaper model than yours...your cam came with the car from the factory.

A few years back I had a (late) Punto MK2a which came with some of the parts from a mk2b punto on it, Some trim parts if I remember correctly, so I can relate there clack

When I bought the car it was advertised as having a "4 x 4 cam" so I thought that it had been replaced with one from a 4 x 4 as a performance modification. They must just have been simply pointing out that it had one in it Ok that makes sense now cheers man. I will assume that it would still be "safe" in the event of a timing belt break as it is a 1000 engine and I know that the 1000 engine is safe for that. Presumably I can eliminate it from being the cause of the ticking noise too then. Back to square one then (after I've checked the exhaust manifold gasket)

 

[Venters]

Must admit we didn't think the 4x4 cam was original either. Guess that's something I learned today then.

 

[onemanmade]

Must admit we didn't think the 4x4 cam was original either. Guess that's something I learned today then.

No worries man, no harm done I was just trying to eliminate reasons for the ticking noise as I said in an earlier post it is a bit quieter after the work I've done but it is still present

 

[VmanC]

The 4x4 engine is a safe engine so don't worry about breaking cambelts.

The camshaft can't really cause a ticking noise on it's own, it's the gap between it and the followers being too big that gives the noise. As has been said, all you need to do is make sure that the valve clearances are set right, if they are you will need to look elsewhere for your ticking noise.