1.2 FIRE/gearbox knackerd?

No joke now, it's starting to sound like an engine with 100,000 miles on it.

Normally I drive with my music on. Today I had no music, and windows down and I was shocked at how bad the thing sounded! It has 15,000 miles on the clock.

On acceleration, there is a raspy spitting noise coming from somewhere up front ontop of the 'normal' engine sound.

I've also had this issue where on cold startup, there is a noticeable hollow 'thunk'. Took it into the garage to get fixed a few months back. They said they'd fixed it, but I now doubt they actually did anything.

Also, when I change gear you can hear a mechnical clunk as I press/depress the clutch (from the outside of the car). Also get this same noise when coasting over a speedbump.

And at a mcdonalds drive through which is half on a hill, it sounds horrible doing the hill start, really does sound like a 15 year old car.

Obviously I will be taking it back to the dealer, would anyone know where this may be leading? Possible shagged gearbox?

Car is completely standard. Seems to drive ok..though has recently become increasing difficult to change into 1st 2nd or 3rd if you arent at "the right speed" for the gear..

Having owned Punto 60SX 2 years ago, I know what a FIRE engine should sound like.

you checked your oil?

I check engine oil almost every week. Its smack on the full mark.

Something down there obviously hasnt been assembled properly.

Checked the gearbox oil???

He should take it to dealer for that as its not a user maintained part. Sounds very much like gearbox issues.

As said check Gearbox oil and maybe change it aswell? Wont do it any harm but it might solve your problem

I had a similar problem to this for a couple of weeks now, it wasn't making clunking sounds (only on cold start-up) but I found it difficult to change into 2nd and 3rd smoothly (especially 3rd), no matter what I did with the clutch.

I had my 1st service last week and whatever they have done (oil change & checked the timing) it changes smoothly again

This is what I'm suspecting also.

Probably just the italian alternative to having a service light

Hehe yeah.

Also (I'm just guessing here), but I used to commute 55-60 miles a day of mostly A roads and the odd town. And the car was flawless, smooth as a merc

But my commute has changed to now just the odd trips into town and not as long (maybe <10 miles a day) and thats where the problem with the smoothness started.

Dunno if they are related, but low temps and constant gear changes of town driving compared to doing 60mph in 5th most of the way must do something.

Mine does this too! How would I change my gearbox oil and what would I use?

Hmm I'm not sure, when was your last service done Stripes?

my punto was making a clunking noise on cold start ups...

had it in for its 2nd year service asked for it to be investigated..

When i picked the car up they said they couldn't find a fault.......

Strangely its not happened since...

Hasn't had any yet?

When's the first supposed to be.

It was bought new in Sept. 07 and has done just over 10,000 miles.

Thanks =)

Should be at 12 months or 18k which ever comes first. I've just done mine and thats when it started to improve, so I can only assume its something they have done.

We could do with someone who is more technical here to shed some light.

get someone to start car while you watch rear engine/gearbox mount

check timing