Hi
My cinq sporting has been sitting in my garage for quite some time now and with a low 15k on the clock I really want to get the old girl up to scratch.

The parts are relatively cheap I see but can I do this job myself?
I can change brakes,hubs,rads etc but never done either of the above. Would love to learn and complete but wouldn't want to stuff anything up.

I've looked at the guides but really need a step by step with pictures for the first time. Is there a decent workshop manual or is a Haynes worth a purchase to do this.

The intention would be to change the rad along with oil and filter also.

Once mechanicals are there with engine, new brakes, exhaust ,shocks etc so will proberbly make a project thread.

Any help appreciated.

Haynes definately worth a purchase for it make sure to get a good quality gasket like payen of genuine.

Job is fairly easy just take it slow mark everything up whereabouts are you maybe someone close that can give a hand

I had pretty much zero experience with working on cars and when the head gasket blew on my Cinq, I bought a Haynes manual and some tools and set to work on it. It's totally doable DIY. You can't break it by getting the timing wrong as it's a non-interference engine.

Check out the guides section of the forum
Head gasket replacment - Clicky
Cambelt change - Clicky

The lack of photos for the cam guide is a little offputting, but it's very simple once you get in there and - as arc says - even if you do it wrong, it's not catastrophic.

Yeh the lack of pictures is a bit annoying,
If not there are plenty of videos on youtube on replacing a head gasket for a punto.



Might be a bit of a help for a visual reference. (if you can manage poor quality, shakey hands and bad lighting)

I can't think of a better car to learn this stuff on.

If you want I can take a few pictures whilst I'm taking my head off today for you?

Took some pictures whilst i was doing it, I've arrowed as many of the nuts, bolts, connectors and hoses as I can show. But one thing I didn't arrow was the hose connector under the coil packs. And there are several electrical connectors under the intake manifold. There will be somethings I forgot to arrow or mention.

I only needed a 10mm 1/4 socket and ratchet, 13mm spanner, 12mm stumpy ratchet spanner, 13mm 3/8 socket with 6" extension and ratchet, right angled pick and obviously a knife.

I cheated with taking my belt off by cutting it mainly because i couldn't be bothered and it's having a new one because of oil contamination.

And hopefully your gasket looks nothing like mine.

Thanks guys, been ill so not revisited.
The guide were a little unclear but yup gonna have a go.

I've bought a Haynes manual, is the porters repair book any good?
I've done little bits before just cam belts etc were alittle next level.

With the low cost of the bits for the cinq I really trying keep this a mint 15k sporting.

I have starting buying some stuff already for her.

Thanks for the pictures also! I will try and keep this thread updated.

Actually moving forward.
I need to make a list!

Cam Belt -
Water pump- Noticed a 20 tooth or 24 tooth?
Thermostat -
Head Gasket kit
Head bolts? Reuse or new?


Already Bought-
Radiator
Cam Cover Gasket- I know i will get another in kit
Oil and filter
Air Filter

Any suggestions on brands/quality for the above?

Thanks again

Reuben

Don't go fai or victor reinz, had some really dodgy parts off them in work, they're cheap but you see why they're cheap when you fit them.

Always replace the head bolts on 'modern' engines. They are designed to stretch to avoid the need for re-tightening like they did in the 60's after a couple of thousand miles...

In my limited experience I've found FAI head bolts to be fine...

Should cost about £10 or something for the bolts
Parts sites / motorfactors should sell you the correct water pump. I did buy the wrong one once from a private seller on ebay... Some come with a paper gasket and some require silicone sealant just like you'd use in the bathroom, always looks better with black or clear though silicone though . You will also use a little bit of this silicone around the corners of the rocker cover gasket.

You can get basic torque wrenches for about £20 if you cant borrow one.

Haynes manuals and porter manuals are pretty similar really, both have mistakes that confuse the heck out of you when you need it least... like:

"before replacing the hater matrix on a Renault Scenic ...first remove the engine..." complete rubbish!