I have had my Punto for about 14 months now. It is a 2000 model, and when I bought it, there were only 18k miles on the clock.

Not bad for a 15 year old car!
However, the downside to this is every single part on the car was original when I bought it (excluding service items), and some parts are probably showing signs of age deterioration, despite the low miles. For instance, when I first bought it, the car was still on its original 14 year old tyres. Not bald due to the low miles, but full of age related cracks, ready to blow out. New ones were bought immediately!

Also since buying it I have given it a full service, and since serviced it at relevant intervals, changed the cambelt, water pump, fan belt and battery.

I think everything else on the car is original. So is there anything else that would be ageing that I should change?

I was thinking about replacing the HT leads and the coils, but not sure if it would be a waste of money?

Other problem is air in the cooling system. Not matter how many times I follow the guide on here, I still get bubbly noises behind the dash. Is that something Punto owners just have to live with?

Check any rubbery parts: brake hoses, bushes, coolant hoses, exhaust hangers, etc. They can get tired with age. Alternator belt (take it that's what you mean by fan belt)

Don't worry about the air noises. As long as coolant comes from both bleed nipples, and the level is stable, and you get warm air, there's more to worry about.

Also, spare tyre.

Don't waste money on coils, they are good for 100k miles, and have no moving parts. Water pump would have been fine too, it really fails through use.

18k, barn find?

atom0007 said:

Check any rubbery parts: brake hoses, bushes, coolant hoses, exhaust hangers, etc. They can get tired with age. Alternator belt (take it that's what you mean by fan belt)

Don't worry about the air noises. As long as coolant comes from both bleed nipples, and the level is stable, and you get warm air, there's more to worry about.

Also, spare tyre.

Don't waste money on coils, they are good for 100k miles, and have no moving parts. Water pump would have been fine too, it really fails through use.

Click to expand...

Yes, sorry alternator belt. The only reason the water pump was changed was because the mechanic said it was an easy job whilst replacing the cambelt.

flisko said:

18k, barn find?

Click to expand...

It belonged to an old man in the next street who didn't like driving!

14 year old car - i bet it still on the original brake fluid

Which will be full of water then

Brake fluid only lasts 2 years in car use
Less if the bottle is left open

Brake fluid is Hygroscopic - it attracts moisture

Water lowers the boiling point of brake fluid
Brakes get very very hot
Water in the fluid boils - producing air, air causes a crap pedal and ineffective brakes

If your doing brake work - honestly check the condition of the caliper seals and all that cheese and jazz, as 14years alot of punto's probably had some sort of brake work done in form of a caliper or a rear cylinder allowing a partial flush

Ziggy