Hi, I had my punto for a few years now. Yesterday the temperature gauge seemed quite low after about a 1h run. Then the check engine light came on.

A few days before I noticed that the heater wasn't blowing quite as hot as it used to, mpg seemed a bit lower than usual too (about 49mpg instead of the usual 51).

Anyway, I checked the coolant and it was at the min level. I have topped it up for now but plan a full change soon.

When I came to the car this morning the check engine light was switched off, but the temperature gauge still seemed low. On the 1h drive this morning it seemed to take at least 20min to reach anything near the mid point on the temp dial.

I checked the fault codes; and p0113 (or possibly p0115- I can't quite remember) was stored.

On my drive home tonight it took a while (over 20 min) to get to about 35% on the temp dial. But after about 15min of stop start traffic it did reach the mid marker like it used to. Diagnostics said the coolant got to about 90degrees.

Anyway, my question;
Is it possible that all this is because the coolant was low, there was an airlock and this meant that the temperature couldn't regulate properly. do I just need to properly bleed the system?


Or

Is the thermostat on the blink and needs replacing? (If I order this from halfords (or euro car parts) (Circoli Thermostat 209650180) is that and a spanner all I need?

Ps, I found a guide about bleeding the system but it seems to refer to mk1, and squeezing the pipes. Is there a guide for 54 plate?


Thanks very much

Replace thermostat and coolant, its time. Hopefully that will sort it.

P0113 - IAC sensor
Where as
Po115 = ECT Sensor Circuit Malfunction

---

Since the Engine light Came on with this code - i'd start to suspect that there may be issues with the connector OR the sensor is dying of age

If the ECT is lying about how hot or cold the engine is
It'll mess up the fuel mixture alot = Loss of MPG

I'd look at the sensor and stat since you're already draining the system
A decent socket / spanner set can do both jobs tbh

Temp sensors a little more tricky to get to - but DIY'able

Bleeding is the same as the mk2b (2003 - 2006)
Bleeding punto's is a bitch - everybody has different ways

AS LONG as the coolant stays at max when your done
your not overheating / under heating
No gurgaling on startup - you should be okay

Ziggy

Hi. Thanks for the replies.

I checked the code; it is p0115; engine coolant temperature sensor 1 circuit

I bought a thermostat too (£10) I'll try and fit it one evening this week.

I watched the gauge carefully this morning. I'll use clock terminology. The gauge is cold at 9'oclock. Optimum temperature at 11'oclock. Max of the scale at 1'oclock.

So that I have a reference for after I have replaced the thermostat, this morning;
Started in the 9:00 position
After 10mins was in the 10:00 position
After another 10mins was in the 10:30 position
Stayed for 30min between 10:00 & 10:30 in fast flowing traffic
Then after 5min in stationary traffic was in the 11:00 position
When in free flowing traffic dropped again to 10:00-10:30 position.

I'll post back after I have replaced the parts

Frosty12345 said:

Hi. Thanks for the replies.

I checked the code; it is p0115; engine coolant temperature sensor 1 circuit

I bought a thermostat too (£10) I'll try and fit it one evening this week.

I watched the gauge carefully this morning. I'll use clock terminology. The gauge is cold at 9'oclock. Optimum temperature at 11'oclock. Max of the scale at 1'oclock.

So that I have a reference for after I have replaced the thermostat, this morning;
Started in the 9:00 position
After 10mins was in the 10:00 position
After another 10mins was in the 10:30 position
Stayed for 30min between 10:00 & 10:30 in fast flowing traffic
Then after 5min in stationary traffic was in the 11:00 position
When in free flowing traffic dropped again to 10:00-10:30 position.

I'll post back after I have replaced the parts

Click to expand...

Somethings a miss
Either the stat is dead - and causing the car to think sensors failed

OR

The stats fine, and the sensors failed

Eitherway
Hit 1 and it'll let show up if your right or not

ziggy

Replacing the Stat is quite simple, whip out the battery, remove the battery tray...stat is under the Coil packs couple of bolts.....took me 20 mins to change one
As someone pointed out bleeding the cooling system after is a PITA...that took best part of an hour

Scudmonkey said:

Replacing the Stat is quite simple, whip out the battery, remove the battery tray...stat is under the Coil packs couple of bolts.....took me 20 mins to change one
As someone pointed out bleeding the cooling system after is a PITA...that took best part of an hour

Click to expand...

Try bleeding a system that keeps putting air back in for you
Thats even MORE annoying

Ziggy

Hi. Just an update about my car. (53 plate 1.2litre 8v petrol);

I drained the coolant, replaced the thermostat, flushed with water and refilled the system. (I had to cut the old clips off and replace two hose clips- one attached to the thermostat, and one at the bottom of the system. The rubber hose was quite difficult to get off the thermostat, but with twisting, not pulling, it came off. I expected some of the rubber to disintegrate but it was fine.)

The handbook says that it takes about 5 litres to fill. I refilled slowly, but it only took about 3.5l to start with. After waiting a while, tapping the radiator and squeezing the pipes, over time I managed to get another 0.75l in. I ran the engine for a few minutes. And topped up as necessary. I checked it again the next day, and squeezed, tapped and topped up. I went out for a short drive. It took about 5min driving to get up to temperature (11:00 on the dial) and then the needle stayed there. Sometimes when I start the car I hear a short gurgle, so I guess there is still a bit of air in the system somewhere. I'll squeeze the pipes again and top up this weekend.

For anyone thinking of doing this job; it took me a few hours from start to finish, but I worked slowly. I didn't need to remove anything to get access to the thermostat, but I had an extension piece for my wrench.

The coolant is quite toxic so it is important to collect anything that comes out. As a drip tray I used an ikea under-the-bed storage box.
I filled empty plastic bottles with the old coolant. The local tip was quite happy to take them off me for proper chemical disposal.

Thanks for all your help!

you were still on original thermostat after 16 years nice