Technical R Reg Punto Probs

[stewie_uk]

Hi all, thanks for time looking first of all - am new to this forum.

I've got an R reg Punto 60S, and am nicely clocking up the problems now. For the second time this year the head gasket has gone (done about 7k miles between March and now), and the garage I took it to charged £150 for fitting of a new gasket set, cam belt (as said it's been off twice now and needs replacing as is coming up to 54k miles on it), oil change etc.

Second time in a year, is becoming costly - I asked if it needed a skim but he said no. I asked if there was anything I can do to stop the problem. He said no. Now I'm not calling this mechanic a liar, but I've got the feeling he's taking advantage of me because I'm not mechanically minded.

So first question - can I do anything to stop the gasket going again?

Second question - all the hoses seem to be in the right place, but I'm getting no heat in the car at all since it was back (and for various reasons I can't contact the garage). Is it likely to be something like an air lock? I've tried loosening the reservoir cap after the car has been running and I get the usual expansion and air seeping out of reservoir, but that's it. Tried running engine with cap off, may have left it a little too long (overheat light came on), when light went off after I'd turned engine off and replaced cap, still no heat.

Third bit - have got a loose aerial on the roof, it's letting water in now and again, is original aerial but has some play in it left to right - any ideas how I can solve this one?

Last bit (cos am sure you're probably fed up with me by now!) do gearboxes go on these engines, as mine feels now and again that the clutch isn't properly down as can take a bit of a push to get into especially 2nd gear, when foot is firmly on floor?

Right, well thank you good people, I hope I can get some responses (anything is appreciated).

Stuart

 

[ChrisLusty]

i av been told that headgaskets go because your reving the car to heigh when its cold! maybe you should try another garage, get a second opinion.

Chris

 

[puntopaul]

No heat from heater means that water is not circulating to the heater matrix in the car. May be due to an air lock,blockage in cooling system or lack of coolant in system.
Overheat light also points to problem with the system.
Was the electric fan running?
Head gaskets usually blow when the head overheats and distorts. Overheating is usually caused by some fault in cooling system. This needs to be fixed ofr the same problem will occur again.
Blown head gaskets are a common problem with Mk1 punto's.Could be a desigh flaw in the cooling system.Check out newsgroups for more info!

 

[stuuyh]

If ut car is overheating and u got noe heat the i would think it is the a blocked heater matrix,the same thing jus happebned to mine..get sum radiatoir flush stick it it ur rad,drive bout 20miles,or rev hard for bout 10ish mins,the flush ur radiator and put new water and anti freeze in and c wot happens,also try to use soda crystals,that helped me unlblock ma matrix

sh

 

[stewie_uk]

Well got heater sorted, the mechanic who did gasket last week did it free (thank god). Driving today though, had been driving around 45 mins commuting, stopped, work, back in car, halfway down motorway came to intersection, changed gears and as soon as it dropped below 50-60ish, got a rattling sound.

Has stayed like it, the engine has now gone from a 1.2 petrol sounding engine to a 1.9 diesel sounding engine. I'm miffed and have not a clue what this could be (any ideas appreciated).

Am afraid it looks like I've had too many probs now, anyone got the phone number for Connex season tickets?

 

[walsave]

Stewie, this may not be relevant considering your rattle probs ,but as for your 'Third bit'
see my topic <water leak through interior light!!!> in this forum

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