Hi there i am also new to this forum and in need of much help and advice. I have a Punto Diesel Van, 2003 Reg with approx 51,000 miles on the clock. It has been well looked after by me and always serviced at my local dealership. My most recent service was in April this year. 2 days ago I was driving and the water coolant light came on. Within a minute of further driving, I lost all power, came to a standstill on the verge of a very busy trunk road. As soon as I managed to pull over smoke was billowing out of the bonnet
I had to wait to be rescued and the mechanic that came to tow me home had a look under the bonnet - the water coolant tank was completely empty & dripping on the road underneath and the plastic hard casing around the timing belt had melted and was smouldering away he reckoned irrevocable damage had been done to the belt and casing, obviously, and also the water coolant tank, valves, pistons and possibly the engine as well.
He told me 2 things - one it would probably be far too expensive to repair with all the damage done and secondly he was questioning the recent service to my van for this to happen so out of the blue? Another mechanic friend has also questioned the recent service and whether this could just have happened so quickly unless something had been drastically missed at the service less than 2 months ago.
I would really appreciate any advice on this and how you would advice me to proceed?
Many thanks,
Karen

I'd also like to add that what I really don't understand is that how this could happen so out of the blue, with a well looked after motor in really good condition. (The cam belt had been replaced when my van was 5 years old and wasn't due to be replaced again until next June.) It's really hard to believe such a good little vehicle is now finished and pretty much ebyond repair unless you are a mechanic with plenty of time on your hands!!