Technical Bad day in Punto land...

[LeighU]

Yep, have had a stinker...

Grande Punto (07) has developed a strange droaning noise when hitting the 30, 40, 50 mph mark. No grinding or scary noises but much louder than I remember for sure. All tyres and brakes are ok and car has been serviced and MOT'd in the past 5 months. Any ideas? I have read about the possibility of wheel bearings. Could it be? Car has done 65K miles.

And secondly..., when checking for possible causes under the bonnet, I decided to check the oil level. Gave the stick a firm but fair pull and snap, fock!, the cap and about 4 inches of the dipstick come out in my hand. How the hell am I going to sort that? More importantly, how much will the Fiat stealers charge me? Rod was quite corroded for sure.

Cheers.

 

[Ffoxy]

Rear wheel bearing is a strong possibility, not expensive, cant say how much had mine done under 3rd year warranty at about 50k miles, no problem since at 72,000 miles now.

I'd think the sump would need to be dropped to recover the end of the dipstick, unless the dipstick tube can be lifted off?

 

[LeighU]

Excellent, went to Mr Dealer who said it is the bearings and that it will be approx £500 for both back wheels to be done. Superb.

£100 for the dipstick fix. Joy.

Anyone know a decent place in Gloucester to have a trip to? Should I even be considering Kwik Fit or the like?...

 

[Ffoxy]

Kwik-Fit No... try looking for a place here, ring some up near you & get quotes.

www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk

Not always cheap-cheap but at least should be good garages, and cheaper than dealers.

Edit... looks like you guys down there are short of scheme members but this one comes up in Staverton.
http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/search_detail.php?recordID=NDk3NQ==

95.1% from 42 feedbacks.

A few more here but no Fiat specialists... http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/postcodes/index.php?postcode=GL1&tw=1

 

[Mattyk]

£500 for the bearings to be done

the part is £55 and its really easy to change, just go to the closest local garage

£500 is utterly rediculous

 

[RD55 DUN]

Excellent, went to Mr Dealer who said it is the bearings and that it will be approx £500 for both back wheels to be done. Superb.

Who quoted that?!

As said part is £55, and only takes a matter of minutes to change.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

[LeighU]

Cheers all, agreed on the crazy pricing, it was Wessex Fiat in Gloucester, cheeky fockers.

Think it was about £250 + VAT for the labour! Plus the bearings and a few washers and bolts etc...god knows.

I will have a look at that link, much appreciated, didn't realise that sort of thing existed!

 

[ChrisUK]

Your not a girl are you (doesn't have it in your profile) as a lot of garages see girls coming and add a "women who doesn't know better surcharge" .

 

[LeighU]

Cheers again for that link FFoxy, now we are talking. That garage came back with £98 or £125 if car has ABS. Much much better!

Now back to me being a bit of a div...does my 1.4 16v Sporting have ABS? I know, sorry, I can hear the groans already...

 

[TallTom]

Yes it does

 

[T14086]

Excellent, went to Mr Dealer who said it is the bearings and that it will be approx £500 for both back wheels to be done.

did you get that in writing? if so put the quote up here for Fiat too see.