Hey there!

I am looking for some advise from you guys.
I am having a problem with my 2004-Punto 1,2 8v, I can't solve.

The following has happend:
I had a breakdown og the highway last wednesday. When the breakdown happen everything was working as normal. Not too hot - enginetemperature was at 82*C, plenty off fuel on and no lack off power.

Suddenly it just lost all power and the enginelamp started blinking (Yellow/orange). A few seconds later the oil- and batterylamp came on and the engine was dead and wouldn't start again at all.
My tester shows misfire on cyl. 4

After my car was transported back home, the following troubleshooting has been done and checked:
- Timing belt, still looks perfekt and marks lines up.
- Coil packs, both is working fine
- The sparkwire is working fine
- Spark plug on cylinder 4, was sparking fine
- The fuel pump is working as normal (sounds normal)

We did find a lot of oil at spark plugs 1,2,3 (most at 1 and 2).
The car won't start at all, not even with cleaned spark plugs (They are all fine) - The starter turns over fine but nothing more happens. Also we also tried with forced petrolintake by closing for airintake.

Does everybody know what the problem is? Blown headgasket? Broken valves? Or something else?
Is there no another way then changing for a new motor?

Thanks!!

/Mathias

change crank sensor, if it still wont start measure compression

flisko said:

change crank sensor, if it still wont start measure compression

Click to expand...

Would the faulty chank sensor giv a lot of oil at the spark plugs?

I got a fault code: P0304

Mathias said:

Would the faulty chank sensor giv a lot of oil at the spark plugs?

I got a fault code: P0304

Click to expand...

dont think so, that oil you found on spark plugs was probably when you were filling oil and you missed the hole and it spilled down

Aarh let me correct myself - The spark plugs was covered in oil (at the inside, if thats the words for it)..

misfire at one cylinder wouldnt stop the car from starting

Mathias said:

Aarh let me correct myself - The spark plugs was covered in oil (at the inside, if thats the words for it)..

Click to expand...

Hi,

I would suspect head gasket failure..

it's the only real way 3 x completely separate spark plugs get fouled in oil:yuck:

it's a relatively simple job on an 8 Valve punto.., takes around 8 hours

you COULD do a compression check.. , but the oil means you have some form of mechanical failure

Charlie

varesecrazy said:

Hi,

I would suspect head gasket failure..

it's the only real way 3 x completely separate spark plugs get fouled in oil:yuck:

it's a relatively simple job on an 8 Valve punto.., takes around 8 hours

you COULD do a compression check.. , but the oil means you have some form of mechanical failure

Charlie

Click to expand...

What is a relatively simple job? What does it takes to fix this? ?

BTW wouldn't there been signs of water in the oil if the head gasket is blown? ?

Hi,

You could do a "leak down test". It would varify if your head cylinder gasket is the culprit or not.

Prior to this problem happening, did you any issues such as temperature rising, no internal heater, running cold maybe, topping up occasionally with coolant, bubbles at the expansion bottle.

The above systems are some of the indications of fault with your head cylinder gasket.

John.

Can you tell me more about "a leak down test"?

I didn't not have temperature rising or heating problems.
I did occasionally fill extra coolant on (rough 0,5l every 2 months)

Mathias said:

Can you tell me more about "a leak down test"?

I didn't not have temperature rising or heating problems.
I did occasionally fill extra coolant on (rough 0,5l every 2 months)

Click to expand...

if it doesnt leak, then thats it, your headgasket popped

Thanks guys!
I have something to go on now

Hi,

Here's a video to show you the principles of the leak down test.



You can perform this test without gauges, if you don't have them, but you need to keep psi around 20-25 to start with.

After all you're only testing for leaks, and not too much worried leakage percentages at this stage.

When locating top dead centre, use a wooden dowl rod of around 10-12mm, rather than a screw driver.

John.

murfman53 said:

Hi,

Here's a video to show you the principles of the leak down test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plpLZeM9ZbU

You can perform this test without gauges, if you don't have them, but you need to keep psi around 20-25 to start with.

After all you're only testing for leaks, and not too much worried leakage percentages at this stage.

When locating top dead centre, use a wooden dowl rod of around 10-12mm, rather than a screw driver.

John.

Click to expand...

A plastic drinking straw works for this too.,

losing coolant over time means it's leaking SOMEWHERE,could be the cooling radiator ( front of car) or heater radiator "matrix" (internal cabin)

the gasket seal each individual cylinder , AND oil channels AND water channels - it can fail in basically any combination

here are a few GUIDES;
https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento-guides/136702-cylinder-head-gasket-remove-refit.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-guides/437182-panda-8v-petrol-head-gasket-change.html

Charlie

Mathias said:

Thanks guys!
I have something to go on now

Click to expand...

is your coolant level LOW NOW / after the breakdown..?

is there a white "Mayonnaise" gunk under the oil filler cap..??

it's still quite possible the car broke down for another reason / fault

Charlie

Crank sensor still favourite if not head gasket

varesecrazy said:

is your coolant level LOW NOW / after the breakdown..?

is there a white "Mayonnaise" gunk under the oil filler cap..??

it's still quite possible the car broke down for another reason / fault

Charlie

Click to expand...

I checked the coolant level the night before and it was full - and when it was checked at my garage (after been towed home), the level was dropped from to min...

No mayo under the oil cap and no signs after oil mixed with water or the opposit

After having the car up on a lift - the bottom of the car is soaked in oil so some kind of a oil spill have been in play.

jazz452 said:

Crank sensor still favourite if not head gasket

Click to expand...

Crank sensor - How can that been checked? Any
obvious signs to look for?

varesecrazy said:

A plastic drinking straw works for this too.,

losing coolant over time means it's leaking SOMEWHERE,could be the cooling radiator ( front of car) or heater radiator "matrix" (internal cabin)

the gasket seal each individual cylinder , AND oil channels AND water channels - it can fail in basically any combination

here are a few GUIDES;
https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento-guides/136702-cylinder-head-gasket-remove-refit.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-guides/437182-panda-8v-petrol-head-gasket-change.html

Charlie

Click to expand...

I'm dismantling the engine apart this following weekend, to have a peak inside at the head gasket and the cylinder head...
I'm hoping for an easy fix. I'm starting to miss my car... :bang:

have fun..!!

try and take pics as you go..,

Charlie