Fiat Punto 97 Breakdown!

Midlecat

Hi There,

Wondering if anyone can help me. I have had my 97 punto since November 13. On Friday I noticed water leaking from under bonnet when I was parking just thought it was humidity with the weather and that it was the air con. Today I was coming down the dual carriage when my car started to make a rattling sound when pressing accelerator- next I noticed I was losing power and the cars temp gauge had blown sky high past max temp, the bonnet starting smoking and I just pulled over with hazards before car coasted, cut and brakes stopped working.

I really thought it would blow, can anyone tell me if it is rad or gasket or what? I had it towed to a garage, they're not open until nine and don't fancy paying over 400 to fix it.

Any help appreciated....

colm_mcm

Its probably cooked alright.

Midlecat

colm_mcm wrote: »

Its probably cooked alright.

Write off?

colm_mcm

Not being funny, but a broken headlight nearly makes a 97 punto an economical write off.

Does the car have lots of test/tax on it, or is it in exceptional condition otherwise?

Midlecat

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not being funny, but a broken headlight nearly makes a 97 punto an economical write off.

Does the car have lots of test/tax on it, or is it in exceptional condition otherwise?

Tested until dec 14, taxed until Aug, paid e650 for it which was a bit much. had it serviced last month and all was ok. id have to buy another cheap car so if it is less than 450 to fix i would do it not trying to have a resale value etc, just a car to get me about.

Gazzmonkey

sounds like head gaskets blown, water getting through and cutting out cylinder(s) would cause a knocking noise.

Had a 99 Punto years ago, same thing happened me.

ankles

I play a game when driving, When I'm stuck in an unexplained traffic jam or when I see a car with the bonnet up n the distance I bet myself its a Punto.

I usually win... hideously unreliable. Get a jap box

Midlecat

Gazzmonkey wrote: »

sounds like head gaskets blown, water getting through and cutting out cylinder(s) would cause a knocking noise.

Had a 99 Punto years ago, same thing happened me.

thought that was it cost to fix?

colm_mcm

Midlecat wrote: »

Tested until dec 14, taxed until Aug, paid e650 for it which was a bit much. had it serviced last month and all was ok. id have to buy another cheap car so if it is less than 450 to fix i would do it not trying to have a resale value etc, just a car to get me about.

You'd get a decent mk2 punto for around €750

Tail Docker

No idea of how mechanical you are op, but it's the easiest head gasket to do. Won't bore you with the details, but it's a doddle. Do you know any friendly spanner-jockeys that might oblige?

Midlecat

colm_mcm wrote: »

You'd get a decent mk2 punto for around €750

would gasket cost more than that? my punto has had new clutch and timing belt so i dont want to get one that will end up with something else going.

Thanks for help

padma

Is the mileage currently around 60,000?

Midlecat

padma wrote: »

Is the mileage currently around 60,000?

yea 67k

Gazzmonkey

Midlecat wrote: »

thought that was it cost to fix?

Was bought from a small dealer in Drumahoe, Co. Derry with a few months warranty so got it done for free.

Never even seen the bill to be honest.

happywithlife

Sounds like the head gasket - my very first car was a punto and it went the same way.
Don't even attempt to repair it - it ain't worth it at that age

Midlecat

happywithlife wrote: »

Sounds like the head gasket - my very first car was a punto and it went the same way.
Don't even attempt to repair it - it ain't worth it at that age

did not want to hear that

padma

Midlecat wrote: »

yea 67k

You'd be more than likely looking at a new head gasket..
May be worth your while to sell for 2oo/250 and get yourself a honda civic or corrolla 97/98 for a couple of hundred quid...plenty out there in good condition that are still fairly reliable after 17/18 years.

Midlecat

padma wrote: »

You'd be more than likely looking at a new head gasket..
May be worth your while to sell for 2oo/250 and get yourself a honda civic or corrolla 97/98 for a couple of hundred quid...plenty out there in good condition that are still fairly reliable after 17/18 years.

Thanks a mil- ill see what they say so tomorrow. My last punto i brought to garage i was offered 50 quid for a 99 with bushings needed - got e300. needless to say i brought it to a different garage today - only difference is this one doesnt start. bet they'll charge me to scrap

ION08

A 97 Punto with Air Con? .. Really??

Definitely a Headgasket

Midlecat

ION08 wrote: »

A 97 Punto with Air Con? .. Really??

Definitely a Headgasket

yes and electric windows!

dgt

Midlecat wrote: »

Hi There,

Wondering if anyone can help me. I have had my 97 punto since November 13. On Friday I noticed water leaking from under bonnet when I was parking just thought it was humidity with the weather and that it was the air con. Today I was coming down the dual carriage when my car started to make a rattling sound when pressing accelerator- next I noticed I was losing power and the cars temp gauge had blown sky high past max temp, the bonnet starting smoking and I just pulled over with hazards before car coasted, cut and brakes stopped working.

I really thought it would blow, can anyone tell me if it is rad or gasket or what? I had it towed to a garage, they're not open until nine and don't fancy paying over 400 to fix it.

Any help appreciated....

Do you have an 85 ELX?

Once it goes to the red, that's it. HG needs sorting. With a good boiling like that, you'll prob need oil rings too.

bladebrew

When did the Punto stop going through head gaskets? We're the second generation any better?

JohnBoy26

bladebrew wrote: »

When did the Punto stop going through head gaskets? We're the second generation any better?

Pre facelifts did anyway. I haven't seen a facelift with hg issues as of yet mind, that's not to say that they don't have hg issues though.

Midlecat

well it transpires there was tear in rad overheated lost compression and engine blew. garage said it was a pity cos everything in great nick. is it worth trying to sell for breaking? he said he could take it away and id just be rid.

visual

Midlecat wrote: »

well it transpires there was tear in rad overheated lost compression and engine blew. garage said it was a pity cos everything in great nick. is it worth trying to sell for breaking? he said he could take it away and id just be rid.

You could sell it for scrap get 100 to 200 for it but when you consider cost of moving car there might not be much change left plus garage might want something for their troubles leaving you with nothing.

Doesn't sound like a deal by giving it to garage is certainly the easiest way to get rid of it.