General Punto Problems! Help please.

[bazd123]

Ok My MK1 Punto 55 SX is playing up a bit, and me not knowing much about cars, I thought I'd ask for some help.

I Have 2 problems.

1: Every now and again, the car will just cut out , just for a split second, then it will kick back in when I'm driving. It does it more often when there are people in the car. My house mate thinks it might be the spark plugs that need changing. Any thoughts?

2: This one is a strange one. Every now and again, when I park the car and It's at a stop, the car will make a funny noise that can only be discribed as a Train horn, but not as loud obviously. This one has stumpted me a bit, but I think it might have something to do with the cam belt, which hasn't been changed at all from new. The car has now done 69,000 miles. Any thoughts on this one??




Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[dave]

give it a service new plugs, oil, filters, coolent, and defently get the cam belt and tenshioner done.

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[bazd123]

That's what I think I'm going to do. Just need to find a decent garage in Nottingham that's gonna do a good job and not rip me off.

Thanks for your help though.

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[The Negotiator]

Where abouts in Nottingham? I can give you address of the independent garage my parents use - they are always pleased with the work.

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Uno 1.0ie Start. Standard.

 

[bazd123]

Yes please, that would be great. I live in sherwood, but would travel to a garage if it's good!

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[bazd123]

Ok so I've another little problem.

I'm trying to change the spark plugs, but I can't get the buggers out! I'm using a spark plug spnner, but the plugs just don't want to turn. Is there a certain way of getting them out that I'm too stupid to notice?? [?]

Also one other thing I've heard about is the steel brake pipe recall. Do I need to go to Fiat for this?

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[ChrisUK]

Yeah by all means contact a Dealer and Ask but make sure you get it free because its a design fault not general wear.

 

[dave]

spark plugs shouldn't be stuck are you using a plug socket from a socket set?

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Please do not Email or PM me asking for support. Post on the forums instead. Your reply may help someone else. Thank you

 

[bazd123]

No I was using a Spark Plug spanner. It's sorted now, manage to get the plugs out and a couple of them were a bit shot. Putting new ones in seems to of solved a few of the cutitng out problems. It still does it, but very rarely now. Gonna check a few other things out tomorrow before I resort to taking the car in for a service.

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[Two Cents]

bazd123,

I used to sell Fiats a few years ago before moving on to a proper job and the 'train-horn' noise you describe is fairly common and certainly nothing to worry about.

Truth be told I can't even remember what is is!!! I seem to remember it was something to do with a build-up of pressure in the fuel tank which lets go now and again. Anyway, no big deal mate

 

[bazd123]

It's still an off putting noise though. It sounds like somethings gonna break. The car is still cutting out, worse now than ever now. I'll start the car, ref the enginee and then the whole car just dies. It's even died on me as I've been pulling off at a junction, which is not good! I think it might be one of the ignition coils as the car struggles to start some times, ticking over about 5 times before it starts. But other times it will start first time.

The car is now booked in for it's recall and it's also having a service done at the same time, so hopefully all my problems should be sovled. Hopefully!

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[bazd123]

Just htought I'd follow this up as it seemed to be the ignition coils. One was a bit worn to say the least, but I replaced both packs anyway. The car runs a lot better now, but it has cut out once,since the change, but that was about 2 minutes after I changed the coils over, so I persume the reason it cut out was the new coils needed breaking in. I'm going to give the car an oil change on Saturday as well as changing the HT leads (one looked a bit discoloured), oil filter and air filter.


One other thing though is the noise that the car is still making. I know someone on the forum said it was just pressure from the fuel tank and it was nothing to worry about, that was making it sound like a train, but it's really starting to annoy me now. Surley this is a problem that can be sorted out?? Any ideas?

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!

 

[The Negotiator]

Did you go to the garage I suggested? I won't be offended if you didn't.

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Uno 1.0ie Start. Standard.

 

[bazd123]

Originally posted by pghstochaj
Did you go to the garage I suggested? I won't be offended if you didn't.

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Uno 1.0ie Start. Standard.

I haven't yet, but I will do soon, because I need some one to check my Cambelt. Just got to do my oil change and then I'm going to book it in.

Punto 55 SX all in black... That's my bitch!