The Fiat Panda is one of the smallest city cars on the market. It has three engine options, including the 1.2-liter engine, the TwinAir engine, and the 1.3-liter Multijet engine. The 1.2 69 CV engine is the cheapest but it performs exceptionally well. Nonetheless, what are the common problems with the Fiat 1.2 69 CV engine?
Common problems with Fiat Panda 1.2 69 CV engine are lack of power, faulty coolant pump, failing head gasket, engine management warning light, and loose timing chain. Other problems include cooling pump failure, clutch problems, and failing dumper units.
What are the common problems with Fiat Panda 1.2 69 CV?
Lack of power
One of the most complained about problems with the Fiat Panda 1.2 69 CV engine is lack of power. This is more rampant when climbing hills. Some of the things that cause a lack of power in this unit are clogged air filters, a clogged fuel filter, and a dirty mass air flow sensor.
Take your car to a professional mechanic for inspection and for cleaning or replacing the bad part. This will help to fix the underlying problem.
Failing head gasket
The head gasket plays a vital role in sealing the engine’s combustion chamber so that your vehicle can create the ideal compression that is required to maintain your engine power. However, if the head gasket fails or blows up, the engine will have to work extra hard to create power.
To fix this problem, you will have to replace the failing head gasket.
Loose timing chain
Like most engines in the Fiat Panda lineup, the Fiat Panda 1.2 69 CV engine also comes with a timing chain. But if the timing chain is failing, this will affect the performance of your engine in many ways. Signs of a bad timing chain are a misfiring engine, a rattling sound from the engine, and hard starting the engine.
To rectify this problem, you will have to replace the failing timing chain with a new one.
Cooling pump failure
The coolant pump is one of the major parts of a Fiat Panda’s cooling system. So, if the cooling pump is failing, your car may overheat and even develop more issues. Some of the signs of a failing water pump are low coolant level, noise, leaking water pump, and engine overheating.
To fix this issue, have the mechanic examine your car and replace the bad cooling pump.
Failing dumper units
This is a problem that many Fiat Panda users have reported. Besides, this issue is known to take place on cars that are five years old. One of the usual signs of a bad r failing damper unit is a strange noise or a bumpy ride. If your car is having one of these signs, have it inspected and the damper unit replaced.
Clutch problems
Another common problem that Fiat Panda 1.2 69 CV users have reported is clutch issues. One of the main causes of clutch issues is bent selector forks. Note that this problem occurs early and should be monitored. A bad or failing clutch can make shifting gears to be difficult and you may even hear a grinding noise while changing gears.
If you’re still under warranty, you have the clutch changed for free. But if you’re out of warranty, you should see your local mechanic and have them replace the bad clutch.
Engine management warning light
In some cases, you may notice that your car has an engine management warning light. This can be a sign that your ECU is faulty or an issue with the sensors. To find out the real cause of the problem, you may have to take your car to a professional mechanic for inspection. After noticing the faulty part, ensure to replace it to fix the problem.
Faulty coolant pump
Fiat Panda 1.2 69 CV users have also complained about a faulty coolant pump. Some of the signs of a faulty coolant pump are steam coming from the engine, engine overheating, water pump rust, and a high-pitched, whining noise.
To fix this issue, you will have to replace the bad coolant pump. However, if you fail to replace this part, you may cause your head gasket to fail.
FAQ
Is the Fiat Panda a good car?
It depends on what you’re looking for. The Fiat Panda 1.2-liter 69 CV is a good car for people who want efficiency, reliability, and low maintenance cost. On the contrary, it is not a good car for those looking for spaciousness, performance, and comfort. This is because the car is very compact and doesn’t come with lots of fascinating features.
Is it cheap to maintain the Fiat Panda 1.2-liter 69 CV engine?
Yes, maintaining the Fiat Panda 1.2 model is pretty cheap. Thanks to the car’s reliability and durability. On the other hand, it can be challenging to get spare parts and Fiat’s customer service isn’t the best. Overall, maintaining this car is considerably cheap compared to most of its rivals.
How fast is the Fiat Panda’s 1.2-liter 69 CV engine?
Fiat Panda is a small car with decent performance. The 2011 Fiat Panda 1.2-liter model delivers up to 68 hp and 75 lb-ft of torque. On top of that, it produces a top speed of up to 102 mph and it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 14.2 seconds.
After how many miles should oil be added to the Fiat Panda?
The manufacturer recommends changing the oil after clocking over 7,500 miles. However, if you’re using quality full synthetic oil, you can change it between 8,000 and 10,000 miles. But if you want your engine to run smoothly at all times, ensure to make an oil change every 8,000 miles.
Conclusion
The Fiat Panda’s 1.2-liter 69 CV engine may be smaller than the TwinAir and 1.3-liter Multijet engines, but it performs well, it’s quiet and efficient. However, like all engines, the 1.2-liter 69 CV engine should be properly maintained if it’s to last long.
Now that you know some of the common problems that the Fiat Panda 1.2-liter engine faces, you should take good care of the car and it will clock more than 200k miles.