hi, just got a 95 cabby 1.6. the tone of the engine/exhaust is very tinny, almost like a vw beetle. its not the tappets or anything, just sounds like an old 1.1 fiesta lol
is this normal for this model. thanks

ah, just been underneath and summits vibrating lol, thanks anyway

Is it firing on all four?

hi, yeah firing on all 4 but just seems very tinny, engine itself runs and sounds ok but when driving it sounds like that

Maybe its got the wrong exhaust system on the car. 1.6 Puntos aren't too common & folks cut corners.

We have a 95 Cabrio as well and your symptom sounds familiar. Ours has made a strange noise ever since we had a new exhaust. It is the correct spec for the 1.6 but it seems to resonate somewhere near the middle of the car, a bit like it is leaking. The exhaust note at the rear is fine. You can hear it from within the car at lower revs and from outside when it is pulling away. I have checked it for leaks and so has a local mechanic, but is/was fine. However, it has just started to blow a little at the rear and is due for replacement. We shall see how it is then!

Incidently, how is your roof for leaks? Does it drip where the roof meets the windscreen caused by capillary action? If so, I have found a cure, just smear a small amount of silicone grease on the face of the rubbers where they meet. Do not use vaseline as this can perish the rubber.

Happy topless motoring!

ah that would make sense, the sound seemd to come from middle of exhaust, yeah roof leaks from corners so will give that a go, cheers

hi all. have an update on this , fitted a sportex cat back system today and still have the ticky sound.....just cant seem to track it down. any ideas more than welcome.....flexi pipe maybe?? cat?? manifold??

have tracked this i think to the exhaust manifold, is it a common fault on puntos?

Have just had the rear section of exhaust (from cat back) and front flexi pipe replaced and the car now has a much better note. I suspect it was the flexi pipe which had minor leaks which was causing the tinny noise on ours. New radius arm and mounting bushes also resolved the clunking from the rear.

While it was up on the lift I had a good look at the underbody, following the recent round of mails about rust. It is an M reg 94 Cabriolet and is absolutely solid underneath.

Oops! I've been using Vaseline for years, can't say I've noticed any perishing or leaks. However I have some silicone lubricant so will use that in future.

Also can't say the exhaust sounds funny, always a good throaty roar when accelerating from 0. However you're right about exhaust fitters, you may need to return to have adjustments made.

[1996 1.6 Punto Cabrio ELX]

Regarding leaks at the front corners: You must ensure that the front window glass is correctly positioned after the roof is secured in place - there are little rubber lugs on the roof that should be outside, not trapped inside, the glass. These lugs serve to run off rainwater.