Hello chaps

I'm back with another problem. Noticed a week ago that when I had the fan on the wondscreen it wasn't clearing the screen. Instead I was getting more mist! Had to have windows open aswell to get rid of it.

Then yesterday on a very short journey, I had fan on again and noticed to my horror that there was liquid coming up through the vents for the windscreen air way. Spluttering up and again, lots of mist fogging up the screen.

I didn't check anything or do anything further. But today I went out for again a short run, and in 10 mins, with the fan on again, it was happening all over again. Then I noticed the temperature gauge was up rather more than it should be.

I parked up, left it for 30 mins, came back to it and checked the radiator water level. It was down a bit, so I topped it up. Drove home, and it seemed ok, except there was moisture again coming up from the vent holes.

I left it to cool and have gone and checked the water level again, and as far as I can see its gone down again. Its been raining so I cannot see if there is a puddle on the ground from the car.

Very bad timing for my car to go kaput. I need it so badly. So what if any advise do you have please? Any ideas?

If this means a radiator change, what do I do? Any ideas where I can get the part? I looked on ebay, but I don't know what is compatible with my car.

Its the 1.6 8 v sporting. P reg.

Sorry, just being a bit of a dumb female on the whole thing and really could do with some good advise. Thank you in advance.

Hi, sounds like the heater matrix has gone inside the heater box behind the dash.. this would be a dashboard out job unfortunately. This is not a radiator problem.

The heater matrix looks like a radiator but its alot smaller its connected to the engine coolant system, and the fan blows air over it which gets heated by the heater matrix, which is how you get the hot air in the car.. but what seems to be happening is it has failed and is leaking engine coolant which is being blown by the fan into the vents.

But the bad news is, to change one of these is a pretty involved job, as the dashboard would need to come out. As its not easily accessible lol its buried behind the dashboard inside a plastic box (the heater unit) They tend to corrode after time, especially if the antifreeze mixture is not changed at the correct intervals/ topped up with plain water because it gets weak... and the antifreeze tends to act as a corrosion inhibitor.

this is the part you require.
http://www.aaronradiator.co.uk/products/Heater_Matrix_Fiat_Punto_Mk1_94_99_6FT111-2888-196.html

they are about the cheapest place around.

Thanks for the advice, and funnily enough you were right.

Cost quite a bit to put it right, and time too. But all back and running as of Monday. So that is good.

Although seriously thinking she is coming to the end of her days. Just not sure what to do with her as yet.

Anyway, I have a related ish question to add to this. Since I got her back, the Airbag warning light is on constantly.

I haven't gone back to the garage yet, as have had week from hell and been so busy.

I kind of mostly need to know if its serious and does it need dealing with? Is it ok to leave it? (yes, I feel silly asking that question, but I cannnot afford any more repairs or anything at the moment but need to be on the road still)

Thanks in advance.

if the warning light came on when you were on the garage forecourt and not before you took it to the garage, it is something they have done and should repair it free of charge if you take it back to them.