Technical sump plug hell

[sherbsville]

PM me on here. If you still want that proxi we can have alook at that and your sump plug on my inspection pit.

Thankyou, I'm gonna try and get fiat to do it in the next couple of weeks, but if they wont, I will get in touch.

Oh no @steveras57 and @John202020 I didn't know that about the ac. Just to clarify, you mean when you press it in, and it's proper ac, not just the heater turned to cold? I tried it this year out of interest, and it wasn't cold, so figured it needed to be regassed. I'm now wondering if it worked when I bought it. Sigh. I did get a full service last year, that changed the cabin filter. I've had bubbles 2 years now.

I didn't realise it was only £75 and lasted years. Ugh, I'm worried, as it probably didn't work from the start. I wont be selling bubbles, but it still sucks if it isn't just a regassing thing. Can I change it, or is it a garage thing?

I will look at earth straps soon, and prob ask for help lol

 

[Leroypanda]

I prefer the half cup type oil filter wrench you put on a ratchet.

 

[bugsymike]

I prefer the half cup type oil filter wrench you put on a ratchet.

Like this.

 

[sherbsville]

Cool, so there appears to be a tiny bit of oil on the cardboard, the water stopped quickly, and was a few drops. I've wiped around the sump plug, and will keep an eye on it. The oil was under it, and there was oil around it. Might need to tighten it up. Hopefully that black stuff wasn't there to stop leaks.

So I went to clean the duck bills. Turns out the plastic top bit had a cut zip tie holding it one one side, and a broken plastic bolt the other, I went in from underneath tho.


Soooooo, I only had one duck bill thing, and the other was half fallen out, so that's cool. I need to buy some. Any ideas on best place please? Are they meant to attach to anything as they drain, like tubes or anything? Thankyou. Sigh.

 

[John202020]

Give the sump plug 1/4 turn

Ac, with the engine running open the door, now press the ac button ( with the fan on too ) is there a definitive click sound and the cooling fans ( engine ) start to run? If not its low on gas so the system self protects itself by not coming on, you'll know if it works as in summer it's quite cold through the vents like 5c cold

 

[varesecrazy]

As You aint gonna use the filter again id advocate the hammer a screwdriver through it!, though messy once its moved a fraction then it will just spin off easy!- saves p**sing about in the cold , use latex gloves (oh- err matron!) and have some extra rag handy for mopping up and jobs a good un!

The amount of times I've been forced to reuse filters..
Halfords filter with no thread..

Wrongly supplied, same size.. Different thread
Etc

I just spend money on a top quality removal tool,
Sykes Pickavant get my Seal of Approval

And attempt to drain / flush the "old" filter before refitting

 

[bugsymike]

The amount of times I've been forced to reuse filters..
Halfords filter with no thread..

Wrongly supplied, same size.. Different thread
Etc

I just spend money on a top quality removal tool,
Sykes Pickavant get my Seal of Approval

And attempt to drain / flush the "old" filter before refitting

Often a wide variety of paper filters on the same models also.
In desperation I bought a box of filters for my 1.6 Doblo as cheaper than two individual ones.

 

[steveras57]

Many outlets now do a free of charge air con check (kwick-fit etc) they plug the car onto there machine which measures if the system can hold a vacuum! and is worth re-gassing! just make sure you make it clear you want it checked before they proceed! .

 

[sherbsville]

OMG WHHHHHHYYYYYYYY WHYYYYYYYYYY?!!!

So earlier on I fiddled with the ac, and it wasn't getting colder than the normal fan, and there was no water under.

Now idk if this ac or not, but I fiddled with it, following Johns advice, and it didn't click @John202020

So I looked under after, and there was water dripping out. It stopped after a couple of minutes, but I've never seen this much. Oh no, what is this now? It doesn't happen everytime. The car had only been running about 90 mins before, and there was the tiniest of splats then. Idk how long this has been going on for, as I only noticed when I was looking for oil leaks. There has never been this much tho, to my knowledge.

Thankyou.

Edit: Wait, is that the exhaust? I couldn't get under to see if the water was coming from above, or from that pipe. I will tomorrow, as it's getting dark.

 

[bugsymike]

OMG WHHHHHHYYYYYYYY WHYYYYYYYYYY?!!!

So earlier on I fiddled with the ac, and it wasn't getting colder than the normal fan, and there was no water under.

Now idk if this ac or not, but I fiddled with it, following Johns advice, and it didn't click @John202020

So I looked under after, and there was water dripping out. It stopped after a couple of minutes, but I've never seen this much. Oh no, what is this now? It doesn't happen everytime. The car had only been running about 90 mins before, and there was the tiniest of splats then. Idk how long this has been going on for, as I only noticed when I was looking for oil leaks. There has never been this much tho, to my knowledge.

Thankyou.

Edit: Wait, is that the exhaust? I couldn't get under to see if the water was coming from above, or from that pipe. I will tomorrow, as it's getting dark.

It is not unusual to see water condensation drip from a cold exhaust, if you give it a run up to normal temperature and it still did it I would be more concerned.
What it is pin pointing is a slight exhaust blow, otherwise that water droplets would be at tail pipe.

 

[steveras57]

OMG WHHHHHHYYYYYYYY WHYYYYYYYYYY?!!!

So earlier on I fiddled with the ac, and it wasn't getting colder than the normal fan, and there was no water under.

Now idk if this ac or not, but I fiddled with it, following Johns advice, and it didn't click @John202020

So I looked under after, and there was water dripping out. It stopped after a couple of minutes, but I've never seen this much. Oh no, what is this now? It doesn't happen everytime. The car had only been running about 90 mins before, and there was the tiniest of splats then. Idk how long this has been going on for, as I only noticed when I was looking for oil leaks. There has never been this much tho, to my knowledge.

Thankyou.

Edit: Wait, is that the exhaust? I couldn't get under to see if the water was coming from above, or from that pipe. I will tomorrow, as it's getting dark.

As its not getting colder that kinda proves the system has no gas in it! which is vindicated by the compressor NOT clicking!- as john said its protecting itself( by not trying to pump nothing!).

However going by your pictures its most likely your exhaust system is full of condensation(exaggerated by the colder weather!) and thats whats dripping! a longer run out at higher speeds (60mph for 30 minutes or so should blow it through if you get the chance!).

The drains for the air con system are located at the FRONT of the car so any water from them would be at that end (under the engine!)- that being said a drip from the flexi pipe in the location in your pictures +the fact it does look a bit rusty under there suggests you might be needing a centre pipe sometime soon?
hope this reassures you a bit!.

 

[jrkitching]

Note also that there is a small hole in OEM backboxes (bottom front) specifically to allow condensed water to drain out, which folks sometimes mistake for a leak. This hole isn't always there on aftermarket silencers.

As has been said, this may just be condensation, but if it's happening in the location you have pictured, you've got an exhaust leak.

Also keep a close eye on the condition of the exhaust support bracket that's just in front of the leak - yours has some corrosion on it. They are known to rust away completely and if they do, the stress on the front part of the exhaust can then crack the manifold/break studs in the head; not an easy or cheap repair. These brackets are inexpensive and readily available, and can be opened up sufficiently to be replaced without removing the exhaust.

If you do replace the centre pipe or the flexible section, change this bracket as a matter of course.

 

[steveras57]

Note also that there is a small hole in OEM backboxes (bottom front) specifically to allow condensed water to drain out, which folks sometimes mistake for a leak. This hole isn't always there on aftermarket silencers.

As has been said, this may just be condensation, but if it's happening in the location you have pictured, you've got an exhaust leak.

Also keep a close eye on the condition of the exhaust support bracket that's just in front of the leak - yours has some corrosion on it. They are known to rust away completely and if they do, the stress on the front part of the exhaust can then crack the manifold/break studs in the head; not an easy or cheap repair. These brackets are inexpensive and readily available, and can be opened up sufficiently to be replaced without removing the exhaust.

good advice! its a cheap bracket and even easier to replace if your changing the centre pipe! saves a 500 quid bill for drilling out and replacing broken manifold studs! good call JR.

 

[sherbsville]

Ok, I need to take some deep breaths tbh. So,we wont know 100% til tomorrow, but say it IS the exhaust, does that hurt Bubbles to be weeing on and off there, like she has a uti? I will do a a run to try and dry her out.

How easy is it to change a centre pipe and bracket? I don't have proper ramps, but have a bit of height with the kerb ramps. I'm too scared to do axle stands. I can't afford proper ramps for the foreseeable. I will watch some videos, but just so I know, is it something that could badly hurt bubbles if I go wrong?

I will google what a back box is, so I can look. I will poke the bracket to see how it feels. I was worried when I saw how rusty it was tbh. And the pipe. The allotment is REALLY bumpy, and will work anything wobbly loose.

I guess it's good I saw it, and now know about the bracket, but omg.

Thankyou. I tried to do multiquote, but apparently dunno how.

@bugsymike @jrkitching @steveras57

 

[rmjbn1]

It looks to me like it's weeping where the joint is with the centre pipe.

So it may not be a hole in the exhaust, just collected condensation finding its way out.

If the exhaust is blowing they'll let you know at MOT time. Until then I don't think it's anything to worry about.

As above, a good run to get it hot should evaporate the condensation, and renewing the bracket is a good idea.

I would also smear some of the old engine oil you've collected all over that sump to stop it rusting

 

[jrkitching]

How easy is it to change a centre pipe and bracket?

DIY exhaust fitting working under the car is never a pleasant job on any marque, but the Panda is just about as straightforward as it gets.

On the Panda, that flexible section is part of the centre pipe, and is sold with it. Unfortunately replacing the centre pipe almost always means replacing the backbox as well; the chance of separating them once it's been on for more than a month or two is small indeed. But if it's just that joint that's bad, you can buy aftermarket flexible sections which can be spliced in, postponing the job of replacing the complete exhaust.

All that said, if it's just a minor leak, you'll get away with leaving it until either it gets significantly worse (you'll definitely hear it if it does), or it fails an MOT.

I'd still replace the front bracket sooner rather than later, because a broken manifold stud is an altogether different world of pain and expense.

 

[jrkitching]

but omg

No matter how pristine it may appear on the outside, look underneath any 10yr old car and you'll have an omg moment.

The trick to running a car of this age without spending silly money on repairs and maintenance is to do what is necessary to keep it safe and reliable, but don't replace parts which, although a little past their best, are still functional.

 

[koalar]

No matter how pristine it may appear on the outside, look underneath any 10yr old car and you'll have an omg moment.

The trick to running a car of this age without spending silly money on repairs and maintenance is to do what is necessary to keep it safe and reliable, but don't replace parts which, although a little past their best, are still functional.

Correct

 

[sherbsville]

No matter how pristine it may appear on the outside, look underneath any 10yr old car and you'll have an omg moment.

The trick to running a car of this age without spending silly money on repairs and maintenance is to do what is necessary to keep it safe and reliable, but don't replace parts which, although a little past their best, are still functional.

thankyou, it seems all the omg moments are happening in one go!

So I was meant to be having a nap, but have instead been googling stuff, and omg I'd have to replace the massive long pipe, not just a lil bit. And yup, I kinda had a feeling I'd have to change the box too.

The pipe isn't the only one weeping @rmjbn1 I will get better pics tomorrow.

Just to confirm, this is the bracket clamp thing to change? Also, I will check the back one, as per
this vid I will measure mine tomorrow.

I was wondering if I could just put some goo over any hole, ok that sounded shady, anyway, like I love doing with everything in the bathroom that has decided to leak all at once. Idk now tho, as the person before this man fixed it, had done that and it looked a mess. Also mines so corroded, I think I'm on borrowed time. Maybe ignore it for a while and hope it goes away.

 

[steveras57]

Id leave the exhaust until you KNOW its a problem ie at mot time or a really loud blow noise!, problem is garages and places like quick fit are ridiculously expensive if it needs replacing some of the prices ive seen would do a Bentley proud !.

The d i y option is doable, but you need good Hight and support, plus not a little physical strength! as the old system Will be corroded together and blinking awkward to remove from its hangers and is fiddly and awkward to manipulate into position!.
I should also point out that there is a bewildering array of combinations of centre and back boxes all of different lengths so its important to get the right combo as fitted to your car, not to difficult to work out if you've had a little experience on these cars but more tricky if your just starting out
for now leave it till you know for sure whats happening!.