belgrade_punto
New member
First, to say, that I'm so surprised with this forum. It's really something super.
I have bought (imported from Germany) 2nd hand: Punto 55S engine 176B2.000, 1108 cm from 1997. I'm beginner driver and quite inexperienced with car mechanics. Please, advise me before going again to garage. I have read that even people in West Europe with all customer protection laws are having significant problems with servicing then you can imagine how it looks like in East Europe.
Odometer shows 73000 km with last service stamped around 63000 km in the checkbook.
When should I change teeth belt (or cam belt, timing belt what's the correct term)? As I understood it's in the motor. Is it possible to check is it for replacement? Does it create damage if it breaks?
I have driven it so far for only 400 km, because of constant problems. I have to change both rear shock absorbers and some silent blocks. I also have to change some pipe going from motor to catalyst. These were easy noticeable problems. But, there's more.
- Temperature was around zero Celsius (32 F), I made a short drive around 4 km at most, stopped, turn off the engine and fan started to roll. How? Later, in the garage where I changed the oil and coolant told me nothing to worry about it and that I should start worrying when it's not turning on. OK I though it just starts a little earlier, wasn't noticing the fan again, drove with heating on in cabin just a few times waiting for salary to pay additional repairs. But, today is around 12 degrees (53 F) outside; heating was not turned on though it's working correctly and again, the same thing after just 15km drive. I heard the fan, after motor turned off. I opened motor bay. Nothing was smoking but for sure it was hot. The upper and lower pipes where very hot, radiator warm. I opened that plastic bowl with coolant and some smoke went out. Is my motor overheating? How to find out, there is no temp. gauge on the dashboard. What should I expect in the summer, head gasket blow ballad or it’s already done. That one really frights me a lot. Anyone has some trick on installing a temp. gauge in cheap Puntos or idea what’s going on here.
- There are no leak drops on the pavement underneath where car was parked for days. But, there is tiny oil film covering top of the motor. How important is this and how to fix it?
- Clutch and gear changes. When motor is off, no problem. I can put it in any gear with two fingers. I really like the gearbox set-up and Punto in general. But, in driving after some time and from time to time I have a problem when shifting from 3rd to 2nd or from 3rd to 1st gear. No strange noises, it just does not want to step into gear from neutral position. Furthermore, sometimes depressing the clutch pedal is not so smooth. It glides and then I feel small bump, like it's cracking something. Clutch to replace or could be something smaller?
- Fuel gauge, is it normal to show different values depending is it on flat or climbing up the hill? It's really funny and untrusting.
Buying it was a big investment for us. So many problems makes me asking was it a disaster purchase and what else to expect. How to check is it at least motor in solid state. There are some very small vibrations on the wheel while idling. On the other side even under -10 it was starting in a second with no problem. I don't mind to invest in repairs but is it worthy or I should sell it asap.
Thank you all...
I have bought (imported from Germany) 2nd hand: Punto 55S engine 176B2.000, 1108 cm from 1997. I'm beginner driver and quite inexperienced with car mechanics. Please, advise me before going again to garage. I have read that even people in West Europe with all customer protection laws are having significant problems with servicing then you can imagine how it looks like in East Europe.
Odometer shows 73000 km with last service stamped around 63000 km in the checkbook.
When should I change teeth belt (or cam belt, timing belt what's the correct term)? As I understood it's in the motor. Is it possible to check is it for replacement? Does it create damage if it breaks?
I have driven it so far for only 400 km, because of constant problems. I have to change both rear shock absorbers and some silent blocks. I also have to change some pipe going from motor to catalyst. These were easy noticeable problems. But, there's more.
- Temperature was around zero Celsius (32 F), I made a short drive around 4 km at most, stopped, turn off the engine and fan started to roll. How? Later, in the garage where I changed the oil and coolant told me nothing to worry about it and that I should start worrying when it's not turning on. OK I though it just starts a little earlier, wasn't noticing the fan again, drove with heating on in cabin just a few times waiting for salary to pay additional repairs. But, today is around 12 degrees (53 F) outside; heating was not turned on though it's working correctly and again, the same thing after just 15km drive. I heard the fan, after motor turned off. I opened motor bay. Nothing was smoking but for sure it was hot. The upper and lower pipes where very hot, radiator warm. I opened that plastic bowl with coolant and some smoke went out. Is my motor overheating? How to find out, there is no temp. gauge on the dashboard. What should I expect in the summer, head gasket blow ballad or it’s already done. That one really frights me a lot. Anyone has some trick on installing a temp. gauge in cheap Puntos or idea what’s going on here.
- There are no leak drops on the pavement underneath where car was parked for days. But, there is tiny oil film covering top of the motor. How important is this and how to fix it?
- Clutch and gear changes. When motor is off, no problem. I can put it in any gear with two fingers. I really like the gearbox set-up and Punto in general. But, in driving after some time and from time to time I have a problem when shifting from 3rd to 2nd or from 3rd to 1st gear. No strange noises, it just does not want to step into gear from neutral position. Furthermore, sometimes depressing the clutch pedal is not so smooth. It glides and then I feel small bump, like it's cracking something. Clutch to replace or could be something smaller?
- Fuel gauge, is it normal to show different values depending is it on flat or climbing up the hill? It's really funny and untrusting.
Buying it was a big investment for us. So many problems makes me asking was it a disaster purchase and what else to expect. How to check is it at least motor in solid state. There are some very small vibrations on the wheel while idling. On the other side even under -10 it was starting in a second with no problem. I don't mind to invest in repairs but is it worthy or I should sell it asap.
Thank you all...