i have noticed the needle on the engine heat gauge on my mk1 punto display recently has been
getting very dangerously near the red "H" when I am doing things like parking or driving about in low gears for whatever reason. I have filled up with water a few times
it's very difficult to see the min/max mark on the mk1 coolant filler.

there probably is a leak of some sort, but this dangerous heading towards the H when parking and low gear etc, worrying? cos soon after it drops to mid range and low range

it was serviced in january and i am unsure about the whole coolant anti freeze thing
been just topping up with water every now and again

any helpful tips be welcome

sounds like your thermostat is failing, if you are going to change it i would use a chemical flush and new coolant.

However, first you will want to check the compression in pistons so you can rule out a Head Gasket failure.

MadMan0 said:

sounds like your thermostat is failing, if you are going to change it i would use a chemical flush and new coolant.

However, first you will want to check the compression in pistons so you can rule out a Head Gasket failure.

Click to expand...

wow loads of words there I dont know the meaning of/or how to check

about the coolant, i see some articles about it dangerous mixing different types. should i just wait for my next service

i am a novice here. I have the Haynes manual, maybe that describes the compression in pistons check?

cheers

When you are driving slowly or at a standstill the radiator cannot keep the engine cool so there is an electric fan to help it.Start the car from cold and see how long it takes the top hose to the radiator to start getting warm - should be 5 minutes or so.If the temp guage is going hot but the top hose is cold then your thermostat is not opening. Wait till the car fully warms up keeping an eye on the temp guage . After another five minutes the bottom hose should be getting hot and the guage should start to go up a little above the normal position and the electric fan should cut in and cool the water down again.
Stay away from the fan - it could start at any time.

using water either points to
1/...a leak
2/....a faulty pressure cap
3/....a h/g failure
any of these need sorting pronto

1 and 2 and3 can be checked with a pressure tester and could save you money/breakdown/meltdown
ask a local indi garage to check for you, most would even do it for free if asked right and they have the time/equipment

All that. That it's doing it at low speeds might well indicate that the cooling fan isn't coming on, though.

Get yourself a Haynes manual and get onto it before (we hope) the head gasket goes.

have the manual and will get onto it.
will report back my findings.
but i am a bit apprehensive doing any big jobs the manual may suggest
complete newbie, just picked up the manual last week

can anyone pinpoint the chapter i.e. the procedures to carry out

thanks a lot

derekos82 said:

have the manual and will get onto it.
will report back my findings.
but i am a bit apprehensive doing any big jobs the manual may suggest
complete newbie, just picked up the manual last week

can anyone pinpoint the chapter i.e. the procedures to carry out

thanks a lot

Click to expand...

Hi Derek,
a head gasket change is not REALLY complicated on these .. BUT I wouldn't recommend a complete novice doing it unaided - no offence..!!,
Firstly,
try and figure out where the water ( coolant) is going..,

as your Haynes will say in the front under "basic checks" , or in "cooling system"
there may be a white / blue ( bit like washing powder) furry scum around a leaking radiator joint / hose,
that would indidcate the site of seepage..,

if the head gasket is on the way out , there is often an oily Emulsion - often referred to as "mayonnaise" under the oil filler cap ( black plastic / rubber).. on TOP of engine,

Do the test recommended earlier.. to start from cold as see what gets got and when..,
it may be that your fan is duff and the water is being boiled away,
or indeed the Radiator cap may be faulty ( not sealing).

let us know what you find,and we will happily advise you,
Charlie

And does the cooling fan come on? It should make a fair old racket!

fan does come on

as winter is drawing in I am gonna drain,flush and refill the system with antifreeze as i have been topping up with water and unsure if there is any antifreeze in there or last time it was changed

If its losing coolant there is no point adding antifreeze (not yet anyway).

Get the engine compression tested. You can get testers on ebay for about £15.

When the gasket and water pump are changed, fill with water and chemical flush the system to remove scum and gunk. Hopefully this will expose the small leaks that originally caused the problem.

When its clean and leak-free pour in 2 litres of antifreeze and top up with water. If you lose a lot while bleeding the system use coolant mixture to top up.