Help! Radiator problems

[JoJo1980]

Hi

My car is leaking an awful reddish water into the driver side of the cab. (appears to be dripping in from behind the stereo). I checked my radiator bottle and it is definately not full, and I know I havent just left it to run dry! Basically, I need to know how to find out where exactly the leak is, how to fix it, or how much will it cost to fix? I know i shouldnt drive it as my radiator could blow, and i dont want to fill it cos it will run into the car again, but it needs to be fixed quick. how long does a job like this take?

Anyone with any ideas?

Cheers! Jo jo

 

[Donk]

What car have you got?

 

[Alex]

Sounds like it maybe the heater matrix (sp?) is your vehicle left or right hand drive, and what model/year?

 

[JoJo1980]

Its a 1996 55s right hand drive. definately still wet!

Also, anyone have any ideas what the common problems are on punto's? Im thinking about getting them all checked/replaced so I dont have to keep leaving my car in the drive!

Jo x

 

[thefishdude]

deffinatly sounds like ya heater matrix, you are about teh 5th owner of a punto 55 with that problem on here in the last 2 weeks. its a long job to fix from what i have read as loads of labour involved. how ever if the leak isnt to big many people have had succes in sealing the heater matrix leak with products like barsleak and radwell. they are about £4 a bottle i think. you just open the water bottle in the car pour in the barsleak. then set ya heater on high and turn engine on and make sure its gets to a good temp so water is flowing all round car. its essential you have ya heater set to max to make sure the water flows through it, instruction will also be on teh bottle aswell and you can get them from most car accesory shops. it could be worth a try. also you will need to top ya water up. if you have lost loads then you will need to add antifreeze aswell. be carefull if you opening the water bottle and engine is hot.

as for other common problems i know the rear suspension arms are very comon failure on 55 puntos. you will hear a knocking thud noise from the rear when going over bumps if they have gone

 

[JoJo1980]

What a nightmare. It is the heater matrix and is going to cost a fortune, just found out that its just over 5 hours labour alone.

Dammit. I simply cant afford that (bloody student) - Does anyone think this is a job I can do myself? alternatively - anyone fancy giving me a hand to fix it!!!

Jo Jo x

 

[Paul Westhead]

Yeah you can do it yourself so long as you are prepared for it to take a little longer as you don't know what you are doing. As for help depends upon where you are .... I've never done one in a punto before but if its anything like hte other cars i've had its a case of dismantle the dash board, undo 2 clips then put it all back together.

 

[sammiboo]

maybe you should just take it to a garage and get them to do you a quote - you never know it maybe cheaper than you thought

 

[dave]

its an all day job and £70 for the matrix, try rad weld first its worked for others,

 

[JoJo1980]

any idea how much rad weld costs? Got a quote today for replacement - £65 for matrix and £210 (poss more) for labour! over £40 an hour!! Jeesus - why didnt I become a mechanic? Id be rich!!!

Jo Jo x

 

[thefishdude]

radweld is only a few pounds a bottle maybe £5