Technical Punto 55 s problems please help

[raygerrard]

Hi i just bought a punto 55 s 1.1 1995, had black hair coming out the exhuast, so i had to have back and centre box replaced which cost me £107, but im still having a problem with it losing power?

What happens is when im driving i start to pick up speed then it just has a sort of flat spot where it stops increasing speed, then it suddenly just picks back up, this happens in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, not sure about 4th or 5th cus the problem seems to die down after it has been driven for a while.

Iv been to a garage and had it code read, and they say they have found no problems, coils are fine, and i think they replaced the plugs, they told me to bring it in for a whole day but they said they dont even know what they are going to do with it, as the problem wasnt occuring when they drove it.

It happens every time i drive the car, could be just when the engine is cold but im not 100% sure?

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.

 

[PlagueWulf]

Sounds to me like your motor is just cold, I have exactly the same car (55s 1,1 1995) and it does just what you say every time I start it from cold.
Goes away after a minute or something.

 

[dave]

did they not replace the cat? hair coming out i think is the cat braking up inside

 

[gt3man]

did they not replave the cat? hair coming out i think is the cat braking up inside

also check for any clogged up brether pipes

 

[GillMcG]

Mine does this if it is cold, I don't think it's anything to worry about, cos like you said, after a couple of minutes it picks up again.

But if you are saying that black hair came out, that does seem a bit more serious!

 

[KeithT]

also check for any clogged up brether pipes

It must be catching, my 55S is much the same but hot or cold, not like it all the time but pretty frequent, I've replaced plugs,leads & fuel filter so far. No warning lights,starts on the button but maybe cranks a little longer than it used to. definite flat spot at lowish revs, engine slows very quickly if you lift off - bit like hitting the brakes. Not a serious problem but it does niggle when an engine doesn't run 100% right.

 

[raygerrard]

Thats wierd that the garage doesnt know what the problem is, as im obvisouly not the only person in dying need of a cure :S. i wouldnt want anyone else in the car when it does it, fells very jerky, someone may think i cant drive my car

 

[custard]

cinqs with the same engine are renowned for a flatspot when cold.
i find fitting a turbo clears it
1st things i would be checking is plugs,leads,coils,earths.my non turbo cinq needs a service and has a bit of a flatspot just now.just needs a new set of plugs

 

[freestylefiat]

My God please tell me you got to the bottom of this, drives me nuts on my new Punto MK1 55s. Flat spot in every gear except 5th!

 

[dave]

My God please tell me you got to the bottom of this, drives me nuts on my new Punto MK1 55s. Flat spot in every gear except 5th!

have you got the hair, its back box not cat iirc

 

[freestylefiat]

Yes hair too! More than a coincidence new back box then see how we go from there. Got my Hanes manual in the post yesterday. Will it wait till payday?

 

[fingers99]

This is a 7 year old thread.

There doesn't seem to be one definitive cure. But you might try a new MAP sensor.

 

[dave]

back box dont cost much from a motor factors

 

[dumbledore]

Hope not, but these symptoms could be signs of HG early failure. Watch out for any coolant loss and overheating issues.
Engine should be smooth even when cold as the engine management should be able to cope. Any issues however affect smaller engine cars more as there is not much power there to play with.

 

[freestylefiat]

This is a 7 year old thread.

There doesn't seem to be one definitive cure. But you might try a new MAP sensor.

MAP sensor seems like a good shout, just looked it up on wiki as had no idea what one was.

Sevens years old this post is but it represents exactly what's wrong with my new favourite toy.

Looking back over this I notice fitting a new back box did not cure issues.

The most I've ever done in the past is replace a wheel or give it a wax. But having just replaced clutch and stater at the garage I'm broke and need to start diyin it!

 

[fingers99]

I'm broke and need to start diyin it!

Well, you could dye the hair blonde!

You should find a FIAT map sensor in a scrappy. Blow out the pipe (air line, etc), after removing the old MAP and the pipe. Check for splits on the solft rubber bits of tube at the end.

 

[freestylefiat]

I'm going bald! Could do with some hair.

Cool this MAP looks like a reasonable first mechanical undertaking, and the back box can follow.

 

[freestylefiat]

This is a 7 year old thread.

There doesn't seem to be one definitive cure. But you might try a new MAP sensor.

Might it be that the pipe that leads straight down infront of the air cleaner cover has been replaced by a piece of foil corrugated tubing! Causing Iregular air flow??

 

[dave]

Might it be that the pipe that leads straight down infront of the air cleaner cover has been replaced by a piece of foil corrugated tubing! Causing Iregular air flow??

the one that goes to exhaust manifold is supposed to be like that, air only goes up that when its very very cold

 

[freestylefiat]

Oh ok fairplay, in the Hanes manual kinda looks like a hose but I literally know nothing.

Thanks Dave : )