I probably need to replace the clutch on my Mk2b.
here's the million dollar question - is it better to get it done by a dealer, or would any mechanic be ok?

I'm not so much concerned about the cost (although it is important) as of the technical ability / knowledge/ experience that a dealer would have over a normal mechanic. In other words, the dealer would probably look beyond the pressureplate/clutchplate/ release bearing kit and also check the seals.... would a normal mechanic do the same if he doesn't have specific Fiat experience?

Other question - on a Mk2b 1.2 8v, is it neccessary to lift out the engine in order to do the clutch?

thanks

Any mechanic will be just fine, they will check other things just as well as a main dealer will. For the 8v, engine stays where it is, you just support it with a jack at the gearbox end, then lower the gearbox out on a second jack. Some people have even made special braces to support the engine from the top to avoid needing two jacks.

Thanks Mike.
Is the original Fiat clutch kit any better or worse than 3rd party kits?
I read that the Valeo (sp??) kit is supposed to be much better than the Fiat kit.

Any small garage that has a car lift will be fine doing the Punto clutch. Those sorts of jobs are bread & butter to them. The bloke who did mine charged £120 to change the clutch plus £25 to change the slave cylinder.

For some reason Punto clutches seem to wear out the pressure plate before the friction plate has 100% gone though the friction wont be far behind. This makes the action heavy and lumpy with the clutch not releasing properly.

If the clutch is slipping there might be an oil leak. The clutch input shaft seems to be more of an issue than the crank oil seal. I guess the latter is "protected" by the flywheel. When its off the car, the clutch input shaft should not wiggle about. If it does the bearing is failing and the oil seal leaking. If not now it will very soon. Make sure that shaft is properly checked out.

On mine I used a Fiat Kit from Shop4Parts but maybe a Valeo might have been better. Probably some searching on the Forum (though I find it hard to filter the search hits to a realistic level or try Google.

For good measure I also replaced my slave cylinder as it had been working much too far down its stoke (worn pressure plate does that).

While the car is on the jacks or car lift get the sump pan checked for rust. If its looking bad this would be a good time to change it for a new one. If its oily make sure the oil has not run down from the rocker cover gasket. They are dead easy to replace, but often leak because folks over-tighten the bolts so they leak again.