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.
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.