Fiat panda 169 fettling

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

New to me last friday. Always fancied a good one.

2010 dynamic eco 1.2. Which means £35/ year tax but only 60hp. Has working air con.

Started the sorting.

Front brakes. Can I buy new rubber covers for the caliper sliders ?

Just need new rubber covers, metal sliders are in great shape.

First time ever I don't need to do an engine oil change straight away, oil is like new.

The fun will really start when I get to back axle, some work needs doing there, don't they all.

[artdjones]

Go on to Autodoc and look for ABS 63604

£4.29 per side for a complete rebuild kit of rubber parts. 

Don't buy from eBay, the prices are a multiple of that.

[artdjones]

If you find axle corrosion new ones are £175.

https://www.imaxle.co.uk/new-fiat-panda-axle

 

[Aston Martin]

These are interference engines.

Edit... Maybe, maybe not 

[yes oui si]

2 hours ago, artdjones said:

If you find axle corrosion new ones are £175.

https://www.imaxle.co.uk/new-fiat-panda-axle

 

Can confirm that even a ham-fisted oaf can change the rear axle at the side of a road after finding a panda on marketplace for £100 with a snapped axle. Mate literally got a bus to buy it with a replacement axle and trolley jack strapped to a sack trolley and a backpack of basic tools.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Going under. Wish me luck.

Don't worry, there are 4 axle stands not just balanced on the tyres

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

2 hours ago, Aston Martin said:

These are interference engines.

Good to know, thx. I had assumed these were non interference.  Better check the cambelt soon then.

[Peter C]

What does 169 refer to?

Not BHP, I assume.

[Barry Cade]

3 hours ago, Aston Martin said:

These are interference engines.

That's a 60hp. They don't clash valves, the more powerful one does... 

[Barry Cade]

5 minutes ago, Peter C said:

What does 169 refer to?

Not BHP, I assume.

Just the model number, like w123, or E36..

[wesacosa]

3 hours ago, Aston Martin said:

These are interference engines.

I've struggled to find a definitive answer as to which are interference and which are not, other than the VVT ones being interference. What's the definitive way to confirm a non VVT as being interference or not? I'd read that the ones with proper oil caps might also be but not everyone seems to agree on that 

[Aston Martin]

1 hour ago, Barry Cade said:

That's a 60hp. They don't clash valves, the more powerful one does... 

 

I thought the Evo ones were due to the diff camshaft?

[Barry Cade]

9 minutes ago, Aston Martin said:

 

I thought the Evo ones were due to the diff camshaft?

Off the top of my head, only the ones with variable timing were a interference engine.  I thought the eco was just skinny tyres and a different grille..

I bought up every Panda/Punto I could get with a bust belt and never had a bent valve yet. But for the price of these belts and the 20 mins it takes to change, its probably not worth taking the chance😆

[Barry Cade]

1 hour ago, wesacosa said:

I've struggled to find a definitive answer as to which are interference and which are not, other than the VVT ones being interference. What's the definitive way to confirm a non VVT as being interference or not? I'd read that the ones with proper oil caps might also be but not everyone seems to agree on that 

There is one sure way to find out 🤔 Autodata used to tell you, but sometimes they were wrong..  I suppose with the belt off, you could turn the cam with the crank at TDC and wait for it to clunk, or  not.. 

[wesacosa]

2 minutes ago, Barry Cade said:

There is one sure way to find out 🤔 Autodata used to tell you, but sometimes they were wrong..  I suppose with the belt off, you could turn the cam with the crank at TDC and wait for it to clunk, or  not.. 

I've had a little read around and the general concensus is the 1.1 and the 1.2 60bhp Euro4 are ok , it's the 69bhp 1.2 Euro 5 which had VVT is interference but there does seem to be a little bit of cloudiness 

[Barry Cade]

1 minute ago, wesacosa said:

I've had a little read around and the general concensus is the 1.1 and the 1.2 60bhp Euro4 are ok , it's the 69bhp 1.2 Euro 5 which had VVT is interference but there does seem to be a little bit of cloudiness 

Stellantis 😆.. they say the Eco has low rolling resistance tyres and thinner engine oil, and cost a whole extra hundred quid..

https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/fiat/press/motorists-quids-in-as-fiat-launches-panda-eco

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Bit of progress. Pressure washed the rear beam to see what is what. Savable, a wire brushing and some rust treatment should see a few more years out of this axle.

Rear drum brakes, was impossible to remove rear drums until i read about 2 m8 bolts used to force them off. Worked a treat. I am pretty sure this is 1st time they have ever been off ( low mileage 40k panda).

All looks fine inside, just a good clean up and whilst there take off hub and grease the bearings.

Yes yes I have seen the exhaust !  Not blowing so stays for now but bought car knowing to budget for it.

Even the tyres are good, kind of how i knew i would buy it after 5 min walk around. Front 2 are 2 year old continental. Rears are perfectly OK 4 year old budgets..

 

 

[Wibble]

Great to see you got the drums off in the end! I can confirm to everyone, that this really is a very tidy car.

[yes oui si]

I really want to try one of these pandas before they all dissolve.

[wesacosa]

20 minutes ago, yes oui si said:

I really want to try one of these pandas before they all dissolve.

aside from the axle and the rear sill ends they're actually not too bad rust wise in general 

I'd definitely recommend one. I got one as a commuter for the cheap tax and it's brilliant 

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

50 minutes ago, wesacosa said:

aside from the axle and the rear sill ends they're actually not too bad rust wise in general 

I'd definitely recommend one. I got one as a commuter for the cheap tax and it's brilliant 

As above. Body wise they mostly seem very rust resistant compared to others ( c1 etc).

Just the rear axle to check out. If you find a good one would be easy to look after axle, pressure washer regularly and splash on some wax of any sort every year. It is the spring cups that are main problem. Keep them clear and clean and  anti rust wax and all should be good. .

[motorpunk]

1 hour ago, yes oui si said:

I really want to try one of these pandas before they all dissolve.

I’m a big fan of these. They’re pretty rust resistant considering they’re cheap old Italian things. We’ve had three now, I think I sold two of them on here. I’ve also done a feature on the100hp which is a hoot. Great little cars.

[Andyrew]

If you have the front wheels off, behind the shock you can see the chassis leg. Put your hand in scoop out the crap, it's usually full of muck and stones, worth flushing this out with a bit of water if you can after.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

On 09/05/2026 at 20:22, Andyrew said:

If you have the front wheels off, behind the shock you can see the chassis leg. Put your hand in scoop out the crap, it's usually full of muck and stones, worth flushing this out with a bit of water if you can after.

Can confirm this hidden area full of muck, easy to clean out regularly.

Also engine bay/ windscreen scuttle area fills with leaves etc and blocks  2 drain plugs, easy to clean and pull off plastic gromit / drain holes from engine side  to clear.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Autodoc order arrived. 8 days from order to delivery. Not bad.

 

[Wibble]

Just give me a shout if you need a second pair of hands.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Ohhh

1 st problem

Caliper rubber slider rebuild ??

This is not simple rubber insert. There seems to be an interference fit metal sleeve inside trapping rubber seal in.

I guess these need drifting out and then how do I put it all back together with new rubber in the way ?

Beginning to think new pair of calipers at £60 would be easier !

 

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Thx @Wibble.

He has offered assistance and his fancy brake breeder kit when the time comes.

Will save the neighbours the old comedy sketch of me and my totally deaf dad,  

UP !   DOWN !

WHAT ?

DOWN ? UP?

being shouted for an hour .

Thx Garrett.

[Wibble]

No problem mate.