Hi guys,

I have just entered into the world of car ownership buy buying a fiat punto 2001 1.2 ELX with 68,000 miles on the clock.

I am going to be 130 Miles Daily so milage will rake up fairly quickly. I bought it from my dad and it runs perfect full service history - still on factory supplied battery and no probs except car is pulling to the left ever so slightly.

But I need to know.

1. What pressure should I have the tyres at?
2. What would cause the car to drift to the left - tracking and balance was fixed in last service just b4 I took ownership of car in Jan. I havent hit anything curb wise to knock out tracking.
3. How do I change oil? or can I just top up oil if needed? and can I use any brand of syntetic oil or solely fiat oil.
4. What else should I know about this car considering I am driving 130 miles a day or 500 miles per week approx.
5. Should the head gasket ever become a problem what approx will I end up stumping up to get it fixed?


thanks


Neonitrix - A Punto Newbie

everything you should need to know about that will be in your handbook

Proud owner of a bravo HGT!! SO now for sale a very Cheap PUNTO for sale 74,000 miles midnight blue 1.6 8v sporting K&N induction kit, lowered 35mm, full system exhaust,tinted windows,cadamuro light brows,de badged front and de locked passenger side,

1. there was another thread about this recently but guessing about 30psi all round
2. balancing, tyre pressures, tracking... any number of things but they're the likely suspects
3. if you don't know how buy a haynes manual, and yeah as long as you match the viscocity rating then you can pretty much use whatever you feel like...
4. make sure you get comfortable!.. buy a decent radio!... other than that check the oil, top up the wiper water and check your tyre pressures and tread often....
5. mmm tough question, depending on where you are anything from £200 to £500 (silly price someone got quoted!!)

https://www.fiatforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9197

for tyre pressures

I have a 2000 1.2 8V ELX with 160,000 miles on it. Had only one service on it by the Fiat garage, after that I do all my own servicing. I blew the head gasket on mine at about 94,000 miles. I could have replaced it myself, but decided to have my local mechanic fix it for me. The total cost including a new timing belt was about 250.00 GBP. The trick here is : when the headgasket goes and the dash guage needle climbs and the red light comes on STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY!!, do not be tempted to drive on as the excessive heat will crack your cylinder head.

These cars are easy to maintain and can be quite reliable. I would buy another when this one finally dies

160,000 miles on a 4 year old car?? That's pretty serious mileage. I reckon you have one of the highest mileage Mk2 Puntos in the country!

www.forzafiat.com

"There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness".

1) 31 front, 29 rear is what I go with
4) The standard stereo head unit will take a 10 disc Blaupunkt CD changer. I've had mine nearly 3 years and can't live without it, and I only do 50 miles a day.

160k does look to be a record - I thought I was on the high side for a small car with 53k (will be 4 yrs old in 2 months)

Punto Mk2 ELX

Hi,

Even though the tracking was checked a while ago, there is nothing to say it is not out again. A pot hole, hitting a kerb etc can all knock the alignment out.

Also if the tracking was out and you had it fixed, the tyres may have already been worn when the tracking was out causing the pulling. Maybe there is a fault in the tyre, i.e bulge etc

Have the tracking checked again anyway as checks are normally free anyway.

Andy