Hi there noticed the usual symptoms (puddle of water dripping from above oil filter) and so have just brought a new water pump. is anyone able to tell me how long it takes to change the water pump as i need to arrange it around work. If anyone is able to do it for me in the enfield area that would be amazing and of course i'll pay whatever the rate is. I'm not confident enough to try it myself and need it done asap before the head gasket goes.

Depends on your level of skill. But it's jack under engine to support.
Engine mount off, cambelt covers off, cambelt off, pump out, new pump in with sealant. Make sure timing is correct. Belt back on and all together again!

Oh yeah! And the obvious of draining and bleeding the coolant system properly

yeah you see i've seen the guide of draining the system and bleeding it but i dont understand it. How long should it all take as i neede to get quotes so far got £80 for labour and then pay for new belt & tensioner?

I could do it in no more than 2 hours. Experienced mechanic with no problems at all maybe an hour?

i think im gonna give it a go jsut a couple of quick questions:
1) with the punto, if im putting a new belt on, do i have to do it a specific way or because it is new i can whack it on?
2) do i bleed it before or after?

can anyone help?

Use a belt and tensioner kit. The belt may have arrows marking the direction of travel. If the new one also has arrows make sure it goes on the same way.

The guide shows how to fit the belt and time it correctly. You will need a trolley jack, Torx bits, good quality socket set and a torch to see the timing marks. For crank position use marks on the flywheel as the marks at the cam belt end are not reliable.

thanks for the advice but just spoken to my dad and he said he'll pay for someone to fix it as i am a novice and doesnt want the entire car going wrong.

Cant argue with that.

Dont use any of the rapid fit outfits go to a small private garage that knows Fiats - ideally get some recommendations.

The garage might** even allow you to watch the job being done.

**Assuming they are not worried about liability insurance issues.

well i'm going to phone a garage who i know the owner, he's away but i'll speak to the manager and see if i'll get some mates rates if not my dad's mate is going to do it and i'll probably watch him if thats the case.

Is it essential that the coolant system/rad is bled and if so is it easy to do?

If you don't bleed the system you'd be replacing the headgasket about 5-10 miles later!

Also whitesei, no torx are needed for the 8v!! Only the HGT pain in the asses need them!

It's not too hard to do but it is essential to bleed it properly! Can't even drive it anywhere after because of the rate it heats up

okay mate cheers i'll make sure they do it when it gets done, looking at tuesday/wednesday before it gets done (more likely tuesday) so should all be okayy. Then its just replacing the manifold protector and cleaning the engine bay