Technical Couple Noob Q's

[DrChoda]

hey all, new to the forum so please bare with me.
I have a few q's about the fiat punto and I have been unable to locate any types of engine diagrams, to at least get a good indication as to what things are what.
anyone have any links to a labelled engine diagram?
anyways, I guess i'll start with a simple question. the engine bay itself looks like there is a lot of room to work with. How easy are these cars to work on?
(I used to work on a 300zx for the regular maintenance, but I had the help from the twinturbo.net forum)
Before I get into all the specific questions I have to get the thing running back to tip top shape I was wondering if there are any other punto forums out there with things like 'FAQ's' or sticky 'how-to' write-ups.
thanks for helping out.

 

[Donz]

welcome to the forum, dunno how many folks here will know what a n00b is but i certainly do.
as far as your punto, i'm no engine man, but there are a good few punto owners on here and there are a few punto specific sites that may of more use!

SEI POWER

NOS Guzzlers are just lower beings ​

 

[DrChoda]

thanks for the welcome. I've left my Z behind in my home country and since I can't tinker with my own here, I figured the girlfriend's car is the next best thing.
I suppose I should start with a few problems this '97 punto has.
1st, it needs a general tune up, but I am unsure as to which brand of spark plugs perform the best in this car.
2nd is that I am positive this engine has some serious valve cover leakage. I did this on my 300zx last year and it was a major PITA removing everything. This engine bay has less to remove for a valve cover job, but if anyone has done this, roughly how long did it take?
I was consider buying a service manual for this car, but was wondering first if anyone had any suggestions for an alternate non-dealership manual.
Thanks.

oh yeah one more thing......
was wondering what kind of power boost u might expect to see if you put in a jwt pop charger, and some custom exhaust? (nothing ricey of course)

 

[Evil-Punto]

Noob = newbie, nothing hard about that

A mobile tuner will cost about £60.
What makes you think the valve cover is leaking?

 

[Matts Dad]

I recently did a change on the rocker cover gasket and it took all of 30 mins. Hardest part was working out how to get the clip holding the HT leads off the back of it! (Hint: take leads out of the clip & work out how it fixes when you can see it with the cover off!).

New gasket needs some sealer in a couple of obvious places - dunno why it's designed like that but there will be holes left if you don't.

all things must pass.

 

[smgs]

The Haynes manual for the FIAT Punto is great! And i've fitted NGK R's to my car and work brilliantly, cant compare them to anyother spark plugs as theyre the only ones ive had but u cant go wrong with NGK R's.

"Spirito di Punto"