Hi folks. Having had a Bravo HGT a few years ago, I decided to forgive FIAT and allowed my girlfriend to get a mk2 Punto. Well we've had the car a month, and since getting it we have had the power steering seize up whilst on City mode, and then once it has started working again, there is a knocking sound or the sound of something catching when you turn the wheel (right I think), plus the car has now started misfiring and kicking out white smoke so we have put it in for a headgasket.

And a week after buying it the clutch pedal started clicking at various points of the pedal's travel.

Took the car to a garage this morning, and put it in for a headgasket. The guy said to me that it sounded like that was what it needed with the smoke and misfiring etc. And I asked him about the clutch and steering. He told me that the clutch thing is common and it may be the cable, which is nothing to worry about. He then said the power steering knocking will need a replacement power steering pump, which involves taking the column out but is something I would probably sort myself with a decent guide.

Basically I want to know if anyone can advise me on whether what I have been told is correct, and also as I don't know much about the punto, does it have a normal power steering pump and an electric one which is seperate for the city mode?

Since we got it we've had a burning smell coming from the engine bay and what looks like a tiny drop of fluid on the bottom at the very back of the engine bay. Is this related to a normal power steering pump leaking?

Sorry for the long first post, but I need to work out what's what. Thanks very much folks.

There is no cable for the clutch, it's hydraulic.

All the PAS is electric.

It's normally sensors that fail not the motor, you're always best getting a full column (refurb or second hand, new is ~£500) and fitting that. They can be had for £50-200.

Fitting from a garage takes an hour. On your own if you've never done it probably 2-3.

richie.guy said:

There is no cable for the clutch, it's hydraulic.

All the PAS is electric.

It's normally sensors that fail not the motor, you're always best getting a full column (refurb or second hand, new is ~£500) and fitting that. They can be had for £50-200.

Fitting from a garage takes an hour. On your own if you've never done it probably 2-3.

Click to expand...

Cheers, where can I get the column and all the bits, besides eBay?

Scrap yard, or if you're lucky this forum (or puntomk2).

http://www.bba-reman.com/catalogue/DetailedProduct.aspx?DetailedProduct=62


completely refurbed unit with 2 year warranty.. its exchange.

Steering column can be swapped out in under an hour

once you have removed the steering wheel and plastic cowling, disconnected any wiring going to the steering control module, and stalks etc, its 4 nuts and the linkage at the bottom.. whole unit drops out as 1.

Also, ensure battery is disconnected before attempting to remove it.

where abouts is it leaking in the engine bay? and what does it smell like when burning?

allowed my girlfriend to get a mk2 punto

Click to expand...

pmsl

p7lot said:

pmsl

Click to expand...

LOL she likes me to advise her on cars. I had a worry about a Punto but the car seemed nice enough at the time.

lol @ " I allowed my gf to get a mk2 punto "...sounds almost like a dictatorship lol.

lol, puntos are nice cars.. but are like a wolf in sheeps clothing if your unlucky.

I know somebody who brought a punto sporting MK2B under the inpression it was a nice car. Im the one repairing it for them, and so far

2 wiring looms, 2 minor wiring looms, a battery, battery container, new interior carpet, plastic trim, pollen filter... and the cars still not right lol.

must of cost them over £700 to put right so far...luckily they got it cheap enough.

ABS unit is currently off bein checked out/repaired.

But even if that sorts out the speedo problem im having with the car.. theres still the issue of the city light on the dash not illuminating.

What parts should I look for with a Power Steering Column? Does it have a seperate ECU as I have seen a couple advertised with power steering column & ECU, so didn't know if it was a related part or if the ECU needs resetting when it goes for some reason and these people are providing a replacement?

Hi, with the steering column its better to go recon, than 2nd hand.

Because these are so common to fail, and you cant gaurantee any 2nd hand ones you pickup arent faulty... it has been known that faulty units have been sold on ebay.

ECU and steering column are normally sold together, even though they are separable.

Should just plug straight in, although you will probably need it calibrating by a dealer after.

Is the ECU a seperate ECU solely for the PAS though, or is it the main ECU for the engine?

Separate.