I have a Fiat Punto HGT 2001, which is a quick little car,

But when started in the morning or when cold it sounds like a tractor for about 30 seconds :yuck: I have performed two oil changes since this has started but the problem still persists :bang: not sure what to-do next Fiat want to charge an arm and a leg to look at it

Any one got any advice!!!!!!!

Hey mate, I posted a thread on this a couple of months ago - it's the variator that's gone as it happened to mine - and a whole load of other HGTs. Fiat should cover it if the warranty's still valid, but if not you should be able to get a goodwill payment out of them. I got 70% of the cost - but had to pay £141. To change the variator the cambelt is done at the same time which makes it expensive. It is a known problem though :bang:

Excelent cheers mate, thought i was in serious trouble, is it the case ned to get it done ASAP or can it wait ie christmas.
also will this mean it will happen again, or is it just one of those wonderful design faults ,

thanks again!!!

I don't think it does any damage to the engine so you can leave it for as long as you want.
When you get it fixed it should make a noticeable difference. My HGT got an engine rebuild (under warranty thank god) after cam belt failure which fixed it and I really noticed a step in power at 4k revs. I knew the variator had gone before that - due to the diesel noise - but I hadn't noticed any change in performance.

It won't do it any harm not to change it, but it's nice not to have the diesel sound on start-up and mine stalled a bit on start-up before it was fixed. I got the step in power at 4k revs anyway great fun I have managed to get slightly better mpg out of it since but don't know if it's related.