General Fiat Punto 55

[nick66]

Hello,

this is my first message.
I ask you a few question for my Fiat Punto 55 1995. I am planning to change oil and filter on my own and I was wondering:
- which size (and screw head type ) is the oil drain plug? Are there any washers?
- which kind of oil filter key fits best on Punto?
- where do you place jack stands to lift the car? Does pinch welds points work well also for jack stands?

Many thanks to all of you who will give me some suggestions.

Bye

 

[jay_mz89]

Oul drain plug is like a 10 or 12mm hex so you need a massive allen key and alot of leverage. the filter, dunno I got my replacement from halfords, just a case of screwing the new one it. Oil is 15-40, I used magnatec and it made a big difference when I changed mine. uses about 3.5 litres to fill completely after changing filter too.

You dont need to jack it up but if you do I suggest using axle stands, better still buy those ones you can drive up.

 

[Ralf S.]

Yes.. 12mm Allen key will let you into the sump.

You should only jack the car using the jacking points under the car. You'll have one roughly in line with the front door hinges (to jack the front of the car) and another one roughly in line with the door shut (if you want to jack the rear).

Support the car on an axle stand placed under the wishbone arm, but at the end where it's bolted to the subframe, not at the end where the wheel is.

For an oil change you may be able to undo the sump plug without the car off the ground (it's always safest). But if you have to jack it, make sure the car is back on the ground so that the old oil can drain out.

If you use an old pan or something to catch the oil, and you can't lower the car back onto the wheels without squashing the pan, then wait until the oil has mostly finished draining and then put an old can with the side cut out but the lid screwed on, to catch the last few dribbles. That'll easil fit under the sump.

Change the filter too.. You may be able to unscrew it with your bare hands. Use a genuine parts filter. They're about £1 dearer than a reasonable cheap one. A very cheap one is not worth the risk.

Once you replaced the new filter (use some clean oil on the O-rings to help it tighten) then refit the sump plug. Add a small amount of oil and look for any leaks (if you get into this habit it'll save you one day when you forget to put the sump plug back in first! ) and then top up the rest.

Start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes, so the new oil can get round and then fill the new filter up. Switch off.. have a cup of tea and then re-fill the oil. The new oil will have filled up all the drained parts of the engine and the new oil filter, so you'll need to add around half a litre or so to get it back to MAX. Check it again after a day's normal driving.


Ralf S.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

You can get propper sump plug key's so you can get a ratchet on it, also handy to be able to slide a pipe onto the rachet if you can't get enough leverage by hand if it's stuck/stiff.

Jon.

 

[(CZ)enda]

You can get propper sump plug key

...or you can simply cut off 4 - 5 cm long piece of an ordinary Allen key and insert it into your 12-mm socket :idea:

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

...or you can simply cut off 4 - 5 cm long piece of an ordinary Allen key and insert it into your 12-mm socket :idea:

DING :idea: