Technical New buyer needs advice. 1.2 diesel Punto 56 reg

[c4611367]

Hello,
I am looking at buying a FIAT PUNTO DYNAMIC 1.3 MULTIJET 90 (5 door), 2006/56 reg plate @ 77,000 miles, full main dealer service history . I really like the car.

I have been to have a look at the car at the dealers (independent)
I have a few concerns and wanted to check if its just me being stupid. I am newbie to car buying, not just fiat, so please bear with me.

Hope a Fiat owner with the same car can advise me.

1. The dealer has advised me that the car does not have a cam belt or timing belt. It has a lifetime chain so no replacement is needed. Is this correct?
2. Opening the bonnet, there is a belt visible when looking down towards the left (driver side). Dealer said this was the fan belt. Is this correct?
3. The car has a problem opening the nearside back door from outside. The door had to be lifted slightly before it could be opened easily. The door is sticky.
4. When you turn the ignition half way all dash board lights come on and go off. But the engine light stays on. If you start the engine, all lights go off. Is this normal?
5. There is a slight squeak when starting the engine, I believe this is from the fan belt (see point 2 above). Is this normal/expensive to fix?
6. The car front tyres seem to wear out every 3 years. Last MOT flagged advisory: "Offside Front inner edge Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)." When i checked the tyre seemed fine though.
7. When the car is locked, the little fuel door can still be opened. Is this normal?
8. There is a lock button on the dashboard to lock all doors. When pressed you hear all doors lock and the red light on the button comes on. But the doors can still be opened from the inside. Dealer said it only prevents doors being opened from outside when you are in the car. Is this correct behaviour?
9. While test driving, I noticed it takes time to pick up speed. Specially if I switch quickly from 2nd to 3rd gear. I was finding it hard to get it above 20mph. Is this normal due to the small 1.2 engine?
10. They have following advisories from a fiat dealer check: Replacement door handles for back doors, front brake pads worn to 5mm (dealer said this was no issue as legal limit is 1.6mm ??). Front brakes lipped.

Dealer said they would get the tyre checked and the squeak looked at. But said their service would not have a receipt or stamp. I have to take their word they fixed it. They were dismissive about brakes advisory. Should I push for brakes to be fixed? Are they expensive to replace/fix?

Wanted your opinion and advice on above points. Thanks

 

[varesecrazy]

they do not know about the car they are selling,
the 1,2 is a small engine in a heavy car..!!,
it has a cam-chain that will need changing @ 80 K miles, major job - £800,
other bits sound o.k.,
but personally I would go elsewhere and buy a car with less faults,

charlie

 

[c4611367]

Thanks.

They say they called up the main dealer who has MOTed the car and confirmed there is no need to fix cam-chain, as it has indefinite life? They said if there was need it would have been picked up in most recent service?

Just to clarify the car is a FIAT PUNTO DYNAMIC 1.3 MULTIJET 90 (5 door), 2006/56 reg plate.

 

[jameshobiecat]

Varesecrazy, I Think you have miss read the original post. The car in question is the 1.3 diesel which has a timing chain which should last the life of the engine.


1. Correct
2. Correct
3. New handles needed, see common faults sticky thread.
4. Normal
5. Hmm, could just be a tired belt but might hint at alternator problems.
6. Tyres only ever last a few years on the front, when I did high mileage i'd change them every 10months.
7. Normal
8. Correct
9. Should pull well from just below 2000rpm, the 90bhp engine should be quite nippy.
10. For handles see above, brake pads at 5mm still have some life, 1.6mm limit refers to tyres not brake pads, lipped brake discs normal wear and tear but may need changing in due course. For a set of front discs and pads you can pay anything from £100 on eBay for 3rd party parts only to £350 for genuine fiat parts fitted.


The only thing you have said that raises a concern for me is the belt squeak and lack of power, the brakes may be worn but that's normal, no car is perfect.

 

[Cadabena]

To elaborate on number 9, you just get used to using it. 2k rpm or above if you want nippiness, then low rpm for cruising and optimum mpg. Sometimes you have to slip the clutch to avoid sticky situations when pulling out at junctions, but you just get used to it. Well worth the low speed sluggishness, because try accelerating from about 40mph-60mph in 4th and you really won't believe just a tiny 1248cc diesel is doing all that. It's really one of the best engines I've ever known for its versatility, and one I'm very proud to have!

 

[c4611367]

Thank you for replies so far.

1. The dealer has advised me that the car does not have a cam belt or timing belt. It has a lifetime chain so no replacement is needed. Is this correct?

This is the only question for which I have received conflicting answers. Will wait to see what others think.

The only thing you have said that raises a concern for me is the belt squeak and lack of power

Yes I am concerned about this too. Pressing the accelerator down fully did not seem to make the car go faster in 3rd. Then again I learnt in my instructors 1.6 VW polo and I am used to the feel of that car.

no car is perfect.

Regarding break pads & discs, tyres and door handles: The seller is not ready to negotiate price much. Compared to the parkers adjusted full valuation for the car the dealer wants £350 more but no extras included. While I like the car, I don't want to drive it out of the dealers into a Fiat garage to get these fixed and throw more money straight at it. £250 quoted for door handles and £350 for pads/discs, £80 for tyres etc.

Lovely little car though.

 

[varesecrazy]

Varesecrazy, I Think you have miss read the original post. The car in question is the 1.3 diesel which has a timing chain which should last the life of the engine.


1. Correct
2. Correct
3. New handles needed, see common faults sticky thread.
4. Normal
5. Hmm, could just be a tired belt but might hint at alternator problems.
6. Tyres only ever last a few years on the front, when I did high mileage i'd change them every 10months.
7. Normal
8. Correct
9. Should pull well from just below 2000rpm, the 90bhp engine should be quite nippy.
10. For handles see above, brake pads at 5mm still have some life, 1.6mm limit refers to tyres not brake pads, lipped brake discs normal wear and tear but may need changing in due course. For a set of front discs and pads you can pay anything from £100 on eBay for 3rd party parts only to £350 for genuine fiat parts fitted.


The only thing you have said that raises a concern for me is the belt squeak and lack of power, the brakes may be worn but that's normal, no car is perfect.

sorry wanted to give them A reply in the 5 mins I had last night..,

YES the car sounds O.K. ,
but plenty of minor issues..

to me.. if somebody who doesn't have a vast knowledge of cars has spotted this many faults..how many more serious/ expensive ones are underneath..??

OK = cam-chain,
I'm guessing it's the same 1.3 diesel that's used in the panda and 500,
in the Panda community there are nowa growing number of car having Chain / tensioner failures @ 80 thousand miles,
those that have heeded the warning and had chains, etc replaced say its between £550 and £900 depending on garage,
still much cheaper than having one fail..!!

the OLD adage in the small FIAT + Vauxhall vans was if the chain didn't break it would just run out of tensioner range and start filing away the engines internal casing..resulting in swarf passing through the internals,

Charlie

 

[jameshobiecat]

The seller is not ready to negotiate price much. Compared to the parkers adjusted full valuation for the car the dealer wants £350 more but no extras included. While I like the car, I don't want to drive it out of the dealers into a Fiat garage to get these fixed and throw more money straight at it. £250 quoted for door handles and £350 for pads/discs, £80 for tyres etc.

Lovely little car though.

If it isn't cheap then I'd find another one which is newer and lower mileage. There are plenty of Grandes about.

 

[Cadabena]

This is the only question for which I have received conflicting answers. Will wait to see what others think.

I can guarantee you, 110%, that it is a chain driven cam

Both new, 75bhp and 90bhp versions feature twin overhead camshafts, a chain driven timing system...

 

[MarkW7]

7 & 8 are normal

 

[c4611367]

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. It will prove very useful in my hunt for a Punto.

I have decided to look at the petrol 1.2 model as well (2006/2007/2008). There are many more of these available and much cheaper than the Diesel.
Does this petrol model have a cam-belt that needs change every so-many-miles?

 

[jameshobiecat]

Thank you everyone for your help and advice. It will prove very useful in my hunt for a Punto.

I have decided to look at the petrol 1.2 model as well (2006/2007/2008). There are many more of these available and much cheaper than the Diesel.
Does this petrol model have a cam-belt that needs change every so-many-miles?

Yes it does, 72k or 5years but the cost is only about £300.

Are you sure you want a 1.2? The Grande isn't light and from what I've heard the 1.4 8v copes much better. IMO the diesel is preferable to both if not doing short journeys.

 

[c4611367]

Are you sure you want a 1.2? The Grande isn't light and from what I've heard the 1.4 8v copes much better. IMO the diesel is preferable to both if not doing short journeys.

I went for a test drive in a 2007 petrol 1.2 today. It felt more responsive than the 2006 1.3 diesel. Like a excited little puppy TBH. I quite liked it, but couldn't agree on a price with the seller, yet.

Now this 2007 model had a USB port, a call button on the steering wheel and a windows mobile sticker in the glove compartment. Does this mean it has the Blue & Me feature. It was not mentioned in the spec, which is why I am asking? Thanks