Hi guys,

So I’m a complete newbie to both the forum and Fiat vehicles after purchasing a 2007 Grande Punto Active 1242cc with 73,500.

Unfortunately, it appears that I have an overheating issue and I was wondering if anyone could maybe shed some light on the most likely issues. However, I do appreciate that until it’s looked over by a mechanic, then this is all speculative. The vehicle mechanic is coming this Monday btw.

So before I started the engine the other day (after it was delivered), I noticed that there was no coolant visible in the coolant tank. Therefore, I filled the coolant tank with water (not ideal, and I have since drained it) and check all other fluids before turning the vehicle over. This included topping up the oil as it looked a little low.

Anyway, while the car was sitting idle I watched the vehicle get up to temperature which took about 10 minutes. It maintained the operating temperature for about 10-15.

During this time I took a look around the vehicle and noticed that the water in the coolant tank had dropped very slightly, maybe a couple of millimetres. However, it rose back to its original level within a minute or two.

Once I got back into the vehicle I then started to notice the temperature gauge rising, and I wasn’t aware of the fan kicking in (and didn’t think to look). I turned on the heaters to their max and I could only feel luke warm air, not hot. I then turned the vehicle off.

I put a large piece of card under the engine bay to try and identify any leaks and where they may be coming from and left the car overnight. I went out to the vehicle the following morning and I noticed the water had dropped again – roughly half way between the min and max level. I pulled the card from underneath the engine bay and found no oil or water/coolant marks. There were also no changes to the oil level.

So I know overheating can signal a head gasket problem, however, I cannot see any of the other signs to suggest a blown head gasket:

Overheating – Yes

White sludge under oil cap / dip stick – No

White / Blue smoke from exhaust – No

Smoke / Steam from engine – No

Funny noises from engine – No

Rough idle – No

Loss of performance - Not drove the vehicle since test drive, but seemed fine during test drive.

As I said the vehicle is a 2007 Grande Punto 1242cc 8v Active with only 73,500.

Any advice on likely causes would be greatly appreciated. Also, assuming it was the head gasket, what price range should I be looking at?

Thanks in advance.

If I were you I would change the thermostat housing which includes gasket, ect sensor and thermostat itself. Then I'd change the coolant reservoir cap as they're known to fail. Probably they've never been changed before. Of course pressure test the coolant system for leaks. So if coolant is not circulating to the radiator, you may have a stuck thermostat which in itself would cause overheating.

You might get lucky, it may just be a cooling system fault. Other issue with low oil level, change the valve cover gasket. Then check under timing belt cover for oil and coolant leakage. Chances are that water pump itself or its gasket might be leaking. Very common at this age for a car.

Lastly, you might have got yourself a faulty car. Did the salesman tell you everything? You could return it and get a refund if it turns out to be a bigger issue than just a need for a long overhaul. You did exactly right not driving the car. The question is, did everyone else before you do the same.

Personally I'd be talking to whoever sold you the vehicle...hopefully it was a dealer of some sort...you were sold a car with a fault...

Thanks eeeno,

Coolant reservoir holds only a small part of the coolant, so it needs to be completely drained, and new coolant poured in. About 5,5 litres. It may just have a huge air bubble in the system.

The engine is relatively simple to fix, so I think you can get a good deal for the head gasket job if it's faulty. However the cooling system would need to be fixed first to see if it still overheated.

Definitely likely there's air in the system especially if the heater doesn't work. Fill it again.

If you are confident around a hot engine you can run it with the coolant cap off to help get the air out.

When you have stabilised the level make sure the fan works

Just a quick update - I have been advised that it is the head gasket and have been given a quote of £500. Does this seem reasonable?

Its a 1.2 Grande Punto Active 1242cc 8v with 73,500 miles.

Mmmm, 5 hundred quid is a fair chunk of what your Punto is worth. If the car is indeed decent condition and worth saving, I’d be looking at other places and quotes. If you’re handy with the spanner’s it’s not impossible to carry out the job yourself and even incorporate a mate who is mechanical minded. Video on the net are worth watching, and on here there must be a how to. Best of luck.

Hi Jimboy,

Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it.

Well I have just been in touch with another garage, and they have quoted me £340 for the head gasket, and should it need skimming an addition £72.

I mean would anyone know roughly know what price range I should be looking at?

I do appreciate that the car is 13 years old, but for me it's a necessity for work.

Thank you for giving us an update. That's such a shame. You should check the service history too if the timing belt with water pump have been changed recently. You could keep the car for a long time then.

Hopefully you paid little for the car itself. Otherwise I'd be asking the private seller for a partial refund. It's actually a fraud. It's a word against theirs unfortunately. Probably the previous owner just used a leak sealer to get it sold.

Edit: Keep in mind that it had low oil level, it may have worn piston rings and need for more extensive engine job with oil seals changed. Don't look for the cheapest option because you don't want to have an engine job done twice. Luckily they know what has to be done but it just costs a little more.