Punto (Mk2/2b) Multiple issues / viable to fix?

[chromenewt]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to cars beyond getting me from A to B, but I'm starting to take an interest in how they work. My faithful Fiat Punto 1.2 "Dynamic" of 8 years (since new) is really starting to give me worries a bit like an old friend suspected of being very ill. It still runs, but I'm wondering how much of it is luck.

I've always taken my Punto to the same garage over the years and lately I feel that the "fixes" have been a bit hap-hazard. I trust the garage insofar that they believe in saving me money (they never say I need fixes if I don't, and always give me various options) but the drive quality is now worrying. Various issues mechanically are:

1. Steering column went, and replacement pulls to the right if I engage the "city" button
2. Knocking from the front driver side wheel arch (nothing I can obviously see though)
3. Bassy knocking / almost crunching sound from same wheel when on full lock either way
4. Travelling at speed, I move in a straight line but it feels like someone is outside and shaking the car from side to side or gusty winds even during still weather
5. Aircon hisses when engaged and doesn't really get very cold at all

I also had the misfortune of a bunch of deer deciding to actually run *over* my car bonnet, heavily denting and scraping my bonnet and smashing a tiny part of my headlight on the driver side. This I'll have to get replaced.

Question is, with all these problems would it just be worth getting a different car considering I've done 160k in it since 2005? Or would it be worth doing up for my own pleasure as an educational experience as long as the money spent isn't just wasted? Last thing I want to do is spend £2k in playing around with it to just be worth £400 because of mileage. If I can reduce that to a few hundred in parts and do it myself then I'd much more likely be willing to chance it than pay a garage to do it.

What are your thoughts / solutions? I'm looking forward to hearing your opinions (no matter how dire they may seem for my poor faithful steed).

 

[benny279]

Thats the problem with cars once one problem develops no doubt another one will follow, but it's down to the owner to notice early signs of problems before they get worse.

Reading your list of problems, they don't seem that bad to be honest I've encounter worse cars and yours just doesn't come close! If it was me I'd fix it up and go from there.

Early this year, My Punto MK2 failed MOT (not severely!) but on slight corrosion and rust cost me £300 to sort and on top handbrake which everyone knows handbrakes on a Punto MK2 is utter crap!

And recently I've had to do a numerous of repairs on the car and when the problems started occurring I was like is it time for a new car? And thought no to myself fix it up and keep going until something majorly fails on it.

They great cars but have their faults here and there, nothing to lose sleep over though, but which car doesn't have its problems?

Thats my opinion...

Benny

 

[atom0007]

Given
1. You're a relative mechanical newbie
2. Your going to be paying someone to do the work more than likely

I would

keep the car as a learning project if you're minded, and get something else as your daily, if you can afford it.

Speaking from my own experience, I have spent a fair bit of money, and more importantly to me, quite a lot of time fixing the things that have gone wrong on my 1.2 8V over the past couple of years. Last night for example I was on my knees in the rain with waxoyl, and I have it in my hair today at work....

The thing is, the specific repairs you've listed are *probably* not that hard to fix. But, on average, you are likely to be facing a series of repairs that crop up over the next while, especially given the mileage on the car. Your car will be approaching wear out phase in many regards.

There comes a point when you have to decide what the purpose of your car is, and what your relationship is with it. If it's just a mode of transport, you can be quite hard headed about it. If it's a thing you really like, that you would like to keep until it's a classic, then that's a different story involving a lot more time and money.

 

[atom0007]

btw, I really got interested in my car at about the same age.

If I knew then what I have experienced now, I would have take a different view.

One example is bodywork, you've got pretty much no worries up until that point, but there is a fair chance that your underseal is shot and you've got the beginnings of some fearsome rust.

In fact, if you're going to keep it and fix the steering, I would definitely look at that next

 

[benny279]

btw, I really got interested in my car at about the same age.

If I knew then what I have experienced now, I would have take a different view.

One example is bodywork, you've got pretty much no worries up until that point, but there is a fair chance that your underseal is shot and you've got the beginnings of some fearsome rust.

In fact, if you're going to keep it and fix the steering, I would definitely look at that next

That's just reminded me I have to do mine at some point when weather keeps stable, considering now all my underneath is solid apart from a slight surface rust which isnt much of a concern to me. What's the best stuff to use? And can i just scrape the surface rust off with a wire brush and treat it?

Benny

 

[atom0007]

4 1/2" grinder with wire wheel, safety glasses and breathing mask.

Be prepared to see bits of your car disappear.....

I'm a convert to Waxoyl, cheap (£10 1 litre can will do ,Halfords) , seems to last, and will probably last longer than the car. Disposable brushes

 

[benny279]

4 1/2" grinder with wire wheel, safety glasses and breathing mask.

Be prepared to see bits of your car disappear.....

I'm a convert to Waxoyl, cheap (£10 1 litre can will do ,Halfords) , seems to last, and will probably last longer than the car. Disposable brushes

Cheers man

Benny

 

[atom0007]

OP - remember that you can pick up reasonable mileage puntos 2nd hand not too expensive.

You should forget about the resale value of your car, it's not going to be much!

 

[chromenewt]

Thanks everybody for the quick response so far! The reason I'm torn with my Punto is I am rather attached to it and we've had some awesome adventures together so far. Having seen Benny's car on his signature and Atom0007's comments about resale value I reckon I'm steering towards making it my dream car, and if it conks out then I'll get another runaround. The jury is still out though. I've still got to research the repairs and see if I have the tools, let alone the money for parts.

 

[Ziggy122]

City been on and it pulling happened to both my punto's
So i assume its normal, i dont like city on when driving, only when squeezing into those gaps that most people hide from

As for shaking car from side to side - possibly sounds like a wheel out of balance
I pay £3 p/Tyre at my local shop

However others around me charge £5 to £10! :O

So ensure the tyres are all good and upto pressure and a rebalance may make it alot better

Ziggy

 

[chromenewt]

City been on and it pulling happened to both my punto's
So i assume its normal, i dont like city on when driving, only when squeezing into those gaps that most people hide from

As for shaking car from side to side - possibly sounds like a wheel out of balance
I pay £3 p/Tyre at my local shop

However others around me charge £5 to £10! :O

So ensure the tyres are all good and upto pressure and a rebalance may make it alot better

Ziggy

Yeah the shaking I thought could have been something to with the knocking sound from the wheel. The mechanics from before said something about summink to do with the wishbone being split but still safe to drive, but if I did want it repaired then it's safer to do both sides due to balance and it'll cost about £300. It's from that point stuff started going wrong, me not putting my hand in my pocket right there. :/

 

[atom0007]

wishbone split?
I take it you mean that the balljoint cover is split?
This will give excess motion in suspension and will not lead to the best handling

I've used city for ~90k miles without any issues.
If I had a steering pull I would be worried for my safety, how do you know it's not going to get dramatically worse suddenly?

 

[s and b]

if you have replaced part of the steering system
ie
downshaft
motor
ecu
then it needs fiatecuscan to align it so it doesnt pull
im not sure if the free version can do this but ive sorted 2 out lately where the steering torque sensors needed realigning

my personal opinion of a 160,000 mile punto would be to get rid as everything would be worn out

your choice

 

[atom0007]

I'm steering towards making it my dream car

It's steering you towards the kerb

Seriously though, the road to a dream might be a nightmare.

I've still got to research the repairs and see if I have the tools, let alone the money for parts.

Well that's the other thing I forgot to mention, tool costs.

You'll start with a socket set, then the list grows, spanners, decent screwdrivers, jack, ramps, axle stands, offset spanners, breaker bar, lights for dark working, grinder, drills, nuts and bolts, wire brushes,....the list goes on.

None of it is hugely expensive itself, and you might have some already, but it adds up and that's before you start to want specialist stuff. And you have to store and hopefully maintain it.

Not that I am trying to put you off

 

[chromenewt]

I like the comment about steering towards the kerb!

Yeah, it's actually not looking very hopeful. I might just repair what I can, run it for a few more months and save for another. Just have to research how to fix these things now and if I have the tools to do it.

 

[varesecrazy]

probably the best advice ,esp. at the mileage.!

maybe pick one up cheap locally needing tyres and other basics you can take off yours,
then spend the time + money on that,
Charlie