General So I bought one

[Newdriver]

I first posted on here a few months back in a thread called "Are the horror stories true?". Yesterday I took possesion on my new (well, new to me) Punto. It's not the one I was eyeing up all that time ago, but it's gorgeous. A few problems (already!!) As I was driving home I was alarmed to see that the fuel gauge read Empty, so I filled up. Didn't take long and the gauge still shows empty. Guess I need ot get that fixed. When I start the engine, the needle twitches, but then settles on empty, so I think it's just not getting the right info from the tank.

Also the garage was supposed to fix one of the indicators before I picked it up, but it turns out they didn't. I really don't want to go back and deal with them again - how much would it cost to get the bulb changed?

Apart from those little niggles I love the car - it drives beautifully. I need to get the stereo out as the code seems to have been lost. Fun and games!

Just wanted to re-introduce myself as a proud 9if somewhat skint) Punto owner!

 

[Reuuk]

which punto do you have MK1/MK2 or even MK2B ? as for the fuel indercator that will have to be fixed, but as for the bulb, do it yourself! its not hard is it in the headlights? sidelight on the wing? or on the rear lightS?

 

[Newdriver]

It's a Mk2. I asked my brother about the indicator as he's training to be a mechanic, but he hates dealing with anything even vaguely electrical so told me to go to a garage. I'd bully him into it, but he lives all the way down in Essex and I don't want to drive down there without all my indicators. It's the front left one (my left when driving). The car also makes a different ticking noise when that signal is selected - much faster than the right signal. Is that normal?

 

[DaveMcT]

The bulb is not working. That fast flash rate is there to tell you to fit a new bulb.

You will get well over 200 miles to a tankful (even on an HGT) so just fill up after 200 and you'll not run out. A spare fuel can is also a good idea - just in case.

If you are unsure about the service history get the coolant changed and bled by a mechanic who knows Puntos. If its a 16V with no history a new cam belt is good insurance. Like any other 16V - not good when they fail.

 

[Newdriver]

The bulb is not working. That fast flash rate is there to tell you to fit a new bulb.

You will get well over 200 miles to a tankful (even on an HGT) so just fill up after 200 and you'll not run out. A spare fuel can is also a good idea - just in case.

That makes sense. It hadn't occured to me that it might be a bulb warning.

I filled up yesterday, and my daily commute is 7 miles, so i should be ok for a while. I guess I should just pre-emptively top up every so often until I get it fixed. Don't want to get caught short!!

It's an 8v, but there's no record of the cam belt every having been changed, so I'll make that my priority.

 

[bredsticz]

Yeah! Good to replace but not a neccessity, if belt goes it's just the inconvenience of getting it to a garage once it goes, can't damage the engine at all on an 8v! Always good to know

 

[Reuuk]

its easy to replace the bulb, if its the left side (front headlight) just unscrew the headlight because you cannot get to the back of it because of the fuse box, unclip the clip and pull the bulb out either H1/H7

 

[Newdriver]

Is the headlight cover easy to remove? There's a fair amount of condensation in that headlight, so it'll give me a chance to give it a clean and perhaps put some new sealant around it while I'm there. I know that'll clear up when I put the headlights on, but it's my first car and I'm paranoid! Lol!