We have a 1.2 Punto ELX (2001) that is making a strange running water sound that seems to be coming from behind the dashboard on the passenger side. It seems particulalry audible when first starting the engine and when revving (the more you rev - the more the water flows).

The actual performance of the car seems fine, apart from a bit of juddering when the car is idling. There doesn't appear to be any excessive smoke from the exhaust and we don't appear to be losing any fluids. People have suggested head gasket but have no sludge in the oil.

I've tried bleeding the radiator, but there didn't seem to be any air in the system.

Does anybody have any idea what this could be because I am worried that it might be leading to something more serious and I'd rather catch it early.

It sounds like an air lock, with you already bleeding the system Try and flush the coolant system, i bleed mine first time but still had the problem. now its sounds fine first thing on a moring.

bleeding the mk2 punto is a real SOB. 'vtec' recommended i remove the heater matrix bleed screw and put the hose into the coolant bottle with a rag to make a seal. Blast it through a couple of minutes and then insert the bleedscrew and turn off the hose. be sure to disconnect the battery and make sure the engine is cold before doing this as water goes everywhere. also make sure you give the car plenty of time to dry out before reconnecting the battery and starting the car. then if you blow down the top of the bottle and slightly unscrew the radiator bleed screw you can lower the water level and put some antifreeze in. keep doing this until the required amount of antifreeze is in the system. as the system runs, it will soon mix the antifreeze throughout the system.

there is no need to disconnect the battery at all.

rover220 said:

there is no need to disconnect the battery at all.

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There is if you dont want sensors etc shorting out and error codes