Technical 97 Punto Engine Overheating!

[le_singe_qui_rit]

Hi,

This sounds ridiculous but what coolant should i put in my punto? it's overheating alot. I topped it up with about 1l of tap water a week ago - is coolant just water? or do I need to add something else? the cap almost flew off when I unscrewed it, think the water is boiling/getting too hot.

Any help much appreciated! this is my first car and I don't want it to break.

 

[SlinkyCinqi]

you might want to have your head gasket and/or thermostat checked, as it sounds like your car is getting far too hot, what kind of punto is it i.e. model.

HG can be checked by way of a compression test, stat can be checked by draining the coolant, removing the stat from the engine and checking it in some kettle water to see it opening.

Lenny

 

[le_singe_qui_rit]

Thanks. But just to clarify: what is coolant? is it just water, or do you need to add something to the water?

 

[toad101]

coolent is a mix of water and antifreeze/summer coolent 50/50 mix is about the best

 

[le_singe_qui_rit]

Sorry - i know this is getting tedious..

So what shall I do? not sure about quantity. Shall I just get a 1.5 litre bottle, fill it with 50/50 mix then pour in, or just chuck in x amount of antifreeze, and what's 'summer coolant'?

Thanks!

 

[toad101]

anti freeze and summer coolent are the same thing.
50/50 mix means you put in the same amount of water and antifreeze,
if the level keeps dropping get the headgasket checked as driving with a broken h/g does a lot of damage to the engine

 

[Rich]

And why is this in the Stilo section?

EDIT: Moved.