Punto (Mk2/2b) Engine coolant f***:up

[Adie busker]

Hello, think i've made a rookie mistake! Just bought a 2003 punto active 8v and noticing the coolant level low in my ignorance topped up with standard blue coolant started the car and 10-15 mins later the amber engine warning light came on. Anybody know what's the best course of action to take?

 

[atom0007]

You have to get the code read. I don't think you need to worry about the coolant top-up at this point, could be unrelated.

Who did you buy it from?

 

[varesecrazy]

Hello, think i've made a rookie mistake! Just bought a 2003 punto active 8v and noticing the coolant level low in my ignorance topped up with standard blue coolant started the car and 10-15 mins later the amber engine warning light came on. Anybody know what's the best course of action to take?

Hi, and welcome,

the 8 Valve engines are pretty solid,
but head gaskets do fail with age - however - if it's still running on 4 cylinders ( idling smoothly) you've probably got a different issue.

get a basic engine tester connected to find what the ECU thinks is going wrong,

Charlie - Oxford

 

[Adie busker]

Cheers that's eased my worries. I'll get on with checking the ECU nice one

 

[Adie busker]

You have to get the code read. I don't think you need to worry about the coolant top-up at this point, could be unrelated.

Who did you buy it from?

Bought it local to me Anglesey North Wales

 

[varesecrazy]

normally just the Lambda probe in exhaust has detected exhaust gasses out of spec.

LOW COOLANT is always worth investigating though..

are you are if you shine a light / torch / phone down the side of the expansion tube you can see the level quite easily..

Charlie

 

[portland_bill]

It is about the age when things changed from the old ethylene glycol coolant to the current OAT coolant. Mixing old with the new will just reduce the effectiveness of the coolant slightly, and bring it back to a two-year change interval. You should see no other effects.

As said above, the need to top-up should be investigated, as likely there lies the problem.

 

[jazz452]

Check coolant sensor for leaks I would change coolant some hot weather coming in 10 days, may as well do thermostat while your at it.