Hi I would really appreciate some help on this matter.

I have a 1.4 8v active grande punto. 47500 miles

over the last few weeks it has been losing coolant and oil. About 2lts (of coolant) in 7days!

So today I took it to EMG in Cambridge, who carried out some tests, they came to the conclusion that it was the head gasket. (Hissing noise, Block test, and pressure build up when dip stick removed)

They quoted me nearly £800 to fix, went down to £600, when pushed.

Basically I cannot afford that price, what would you say was a good price? (Any one who could also recommend a garage I would be very grateful!)

Thanks in advanced

Emma

happened on my moms 52 plate 1.2 8v punto and fiat charged just over £600 for the job but that included a new water pump

dynamicsportchris said:

happened on my moms 52 plate 1.2 8v punto and fiat charged just over £600 for the job but that included a new water pump

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thats expensive mate for a 52 plate and water pump is only £18.

To elc41, a second opinion wouldn't go amiss. I take it you regularly check the levels?

Does the heating work or only blow cold even when on heat? If its cold at normal running tempeture then its the head gasket.

Happened my old mk2 but caught it in time due to the above. Got the head skimmed, water pump and give it a full service as well.

Quotes yous have mentioned are way too steep

GP's don't suffer the same way the old mk2 puntos did especially 1.4 engine which is why i'm a little suspicious?

T14086 said:

GP's don't suffer the same way the old mk2 puntos did especially 1.4 engine which is why i'm a little suspicious?

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Oh right, dont have a clue either then.


Just to make sure but have you checked for any nice puddles lying in the driveway Emma or clipped anything on the road that could cause a leak like that?

Oh yeah check the levels once a week!

i park on gravel so was hard to tell, but there was a large puddle the other day when i parked on the road.

Just had a major service on the car, not hit anything!

Not tested the heating for a while, was fine about a month ago. Will test in the morning.

Just to make sure about that puddle get down and look under the front bumper as far as you can and check for anything that looks like drips, if your not 100% sure then get brother/family member to nosey incase they know what to look for.

Mainly best to check the simple things like these before going anywhere near a garage to be honest.

elc41 said:

Hi I would really appreciate some help on this matter.

I have a 1.4 8v active grande punto. 47500 miles

over the last few weeks it has been losing coolant and oil. About 2lts (of coolant) in 7days!

So today I took it to EMG in Cambridge, who carried out some tests, they came to the conclusion that it was the head gasket. (Hissing noise, Block test, and pressure build up when dip stick removed)

They quoted me nearly £800 to fix, went down to £600, when pushed.

Basically I cannot afford that price, what would you say was a good price? (Any one who could also recommend a garage I would be very grateful!)

Thanks in advanced

Emma

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I just love the way they instantly knocked £200 of the price when you pushed them

Find yourself a reputable garage Emm, one that you can trust certainly don't settle on the first quote.

Ask around on the forum, someone might know a reputable garage near you

elc41 said:

Oh yeah check the levels once a week!

i park on gravel so was hard to tell, but there was a large puddle the other day when i parked on the road.

Just had a major service on the car, not hit anything!

Not tested the heating for a while, was fine about a month ago. Will test in the morning.

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Did you have these problems at the time of the service?

I'm wondering why the garage did not pick up on this issue at the time, if you were having these problems at the time of service that is.

In the engine bay, check for signs of coolant leaking from the pipes, radiator, water pump, thermostat etc.. If you have the correct antifreeze in there will be tell-tale stains where it's leaked. These leaks could be the cause.
If it's head gasket, check the coolant in the tank for traces of oil. Check inside the oil filler cap for large amounts of thick creamy white deposits that indicate coolant mixing with the oil. Very small amounts are normal if you don't do long distances especially in winter. Check the colour of the oil on the dipstick.
When the engine is up to normal running temperature, check at the exhaust pipe for signs of excessive water or oil in the exhaust by putting your hand in the exhaust gasses.
It does sound like head gasket failure but get a second garage diagnosis and estimate.

JCW

Ha my brother and dad are useless! Not mechanical at all.

Yes it does drip comes from the head gasket area, I did look for creamy white deposits but i couldn't see anything.

I didn’t have any problem before the service but I realised it has nearly been 2 months since then!

Good news found a really good garage!
They are also a fiat specialist, spoke to them on the phone said it did sound like a head gasket and quoted £330, including a new cam belt (which needs replacing as well!).
Really pleased goes in on Wednesday.

I can't thank everybody enough for their input!

Let us know how you get on.

elc41 said:

Ha my brother and dad are useless! Not mechanical at all.

Yes it does drip comes from the head gasket area, I did look for creamy white deposits but i couldn't see anything.

I didn’t have any problem before the service but I realised it has nearly been 2 months since then!

Good news found a really good garage!
They are also a fiat specialist, spoke to them on the phone said it did sound like a head gasket and quoted £330, including a new cam belt (which needs replacing as well!).
Really pleased goes in on Wednesday.

I can't thank everybody enough for their input!

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Good luck Emm hope all goes well for you.

Amazing in it, go to a different garage and it's almost half the price with a cam belt change too.

A classic example of another rip off garage - name and shame lol

Thats good news, let us know how the car gets on.

Guess what it wasn't the head gasket after all! all i can say is that im P****d off.

Turns out the rocker gasket has gone and a a totally unrelated issue with the coolant, can't remember what at the moment!

on the phone at the moment to emg motor group!

But good news its going to cost less!!

Will keep you updated.

elc41 said:

Guess what it wasn't the head gasket after all! all i can say is that im P****d off.

Turns out the rocker gasket has gone and a a totally unrelated issue with the coolant, can't remember what at the moment!

on the phone at the moment to emg motor group!

But good news its going to cost less!!

Will keep you updated.

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Good news,
I bet that first garage would STILL have charged you the full quoted price !!,

I had a doubt when you said about a puddle ( usually the water goes out of the exhaust as steam),
your GP should be all better now,
Charlie