Panda Panda 100HP project (cooperman style!)

[cooperman]

The Rear Exhaust rubbers replaced today, it’s safe to say the old ones were on their last legs!!
While I had the Jack out I gave all the wheel arches a good clean ready for the winter!

 

[DaveMcT]

A coolant pressure test kit costs from £30, but it's probably possible to fit a tyre valve to a pressure cap.

 

[cooperman]

Heater matrix replaced today, couple of things yes it can do done without taking the dash out, you just have to remove the glovebox to help give you some movement on the lower dash on the passenger side.
The other point is some pipes for the heaters are not interchangeable!
I had a new pipe fitted last month and when I fitted the new matrix and added the water it leaked like a sieve causing me abit of panic and stress!
It’s only when I checked the ends they were total different which meant I had to fit the pipe for the matrix I bought. All in all took about 2 hours!
Let’s see if it stops my water lose!

 

[cooperman]

Rear boot handle: my rear handle stopped working which meant I had to use the key to open the boot.
Today’s job was to clean the mirco switch as apparently they become clogged with dirt.
I removed the clips that hold on the boot cover, took off the 4 nuts that hold the lamp unit on, there is an electrical connection you need to undo and I disconnect the lock arm.
I cleaned up the switch and while I was there I cleaned the number plate light lenses also.
The handle click defo sounds better now.
All in all it took about 30min and it was free!

 

[Wazzzer]

I don't suppose you noticed how easy/hard it would be to remove the trim that holds the number plate lights and handle? I stupidly used some higher wattage bulbs in the lights and they got too hot causing the plastic to warp...

 

[cooperman]

I don't suppose you noticed how easy/hard it would be to remove the trim that holds the number plate lights and handle? I stupidly used some higher wattage bulbs in the lights and they got too hot causing the plastic to warp...

Hi mate, just 4 nuts and it pops off

 

[Wazzzer]

Brilliant thanks

 

[DaveMcT]

I've had the whole boot release/number plate lights "thing" off the car to clean the release switch. I did all I could but found no way to remove the rocker that you grab when opening the door. I improved it with lots of WD40 but never fully right. I still had to push it with fingertips before pulling.

 

[mikelawrencenz]

Well I took the plunge and ordered myself a full set of silicone water hoses for the pandavan.
Of course they had to be in blue!
I couldn’t help myself and I’ve already replaced the screen washer pipe (who knew there was one!) and the top hose which already caused me drama when I replaced it the low brake fluid warning light coming on the dash!
Think as I pulled the pipe of i pulled the connector in the bottle as one of the wires was lose! abit of solder and wire later and it’s all working as it should be!
On inspecting the old hose you could see a lot of cracking near the end that goes to the thermostat, be interesting to see what the big ones look like and fingers crossed I get to the bottom of my water lose issue.

Cooperman,

Any chance you could post a list of hose parts and the source? so those of us fellow 100hp owners can follow you further down the Rabbit hole

 

[cooperman]

Cooperman,

Any chance you could post a list of hose parts and the source? so those of us fellow 100hp owners can follow you further down the Rabbit hole

Hi Mike,
Unfortunately I seem to be going deeper as even with the hose and the new matrix I’m still losing the same amount of water even though both parts showed clear signs of leaks (I’ve put uv dye in the water and the matrix area showed lots of dye around the top of it, so I’m not just throwing parts at it for now reason.
Link for the pipes sir
https://www.egrracing.es/tienda/PANDA-100-HP-KIT-AGUA-p582321571?

 

[irc]

No chance its a pinhole leak in the narrow bore pipe from the expansion tank? Had it on 2 100HPs now, and it's hard to spot.

 

[porta]

No chance its a pinhole leak in the narrow bore pipe from the expansion tank? Had it on 2 100HPs now, and it's hard to spot.

Or a slight split in the radiator seam/s

 

[koalar]

If it's leaking from the joint, even slightly, just a few cc

There's no need to undo anything to see it

If you pull the carpet away from the heater box, passengers side, there will be a bead of coolant between the black plastic heater box and the floor pan


If it's dry look elsewhere

 

[cooperman]

No chance its a pinhole leak in the narrow bore pipe from the expansion tank? Had it on 2 100HPs now, and it's hard to spot.

The pipe and the expansion tank have both been replaced but the old pipe was in pretty rough shape

 

[cooperman]

Or a slight split in the radiator seam/s

Hi it’s a new radiator

 

[cooperman]

If it's leaking from the joint, even slightly, just a few cc

There's no need to undo anything to see it

If you pull the carpet away from the heater box, passengers side, there will be a bead of coolant between the black plastic heater box and the floor pan


If it's dry look elsewhere

It’s dry round there now as I’ve had the kitchen paper under it, before it was leaking that’s why it’s strange why replacing the matrix and pipe didn’t stop it

 

[irc]

The pipe and the expansion tank have both been replaced but the old pipe was in pretty rough shape

Yep, thats what I found. Pipe looked OK on top, but leaked just enough to be able to notice the coolant drop.
Oh well, keep looking!

 

[cooperman]

That was a good couple of hours, I’ve finally got round to replacing the oil breather pipe for a silicone one.
It Was pretty straight forward just lots of measuring and test fitting, overall I’m happy with how it came out, ideally the little pipe would of be facing the back but due to the pipe on the manifold being as fragile as a chocolate tea pot I’d thought I’ll add a support clip for the pipe to take the pressure off the connection.
Oh and while I was at it I cleaned the breather filter!
The last picture with shows the original black pipe fitted!

 

[Bipedalmale]

Today I fitted my Christmas present which was my centre console arm rest.
The arm rest comes in 2 pieces so the first job was to screw them together as per the instructions, I took the centre console out to help fitting and to give it a good clean.
The kit comes with screws for the arm rest to secure to the console but I replaced these with nuts and bolts as it felt more secure.
Overall I’m super happy with the fitment and support it gives, if you do a lot of driving I would recommend one!

@cooperman, can you remember where you got the armrest from? My son is keen to get one fitted to his 100HP.

Thanks

 

[cooperman]

@cooperman, can you remember where you got the armrest from? My son is keen to get one fitted to his 100HP.

Thanks

Here you go sir!

Fiat Panda 2003-2012 Armster Armrest - Armster UK

The UK's best selling adjustable armrest for the Fiat Panda 2003-2012. 3 Year Warranty.

www.armster.co.uk