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Punto (Mk2/2b) The car I wasn't going to change...

Overview Gallery Discussion

Introduction

Bought my Punto back in June (2012): to replace a (well it was originally) white 1994 Clio 1.4 RT automatic, that's now gone to Renault heaven. It was just meant as a second car: spending most of the time sat on the drive... -- especially as we had just ordered a brand new Panda TwinAir Dualogic... (which then failed to materialize: hence the 2009 Panda currently starring in my signature, below...). :eek:

However, something about this (extremely cheap) FIAT really got to me... -- whether just the sheer joy with which it revs; or the way it chucks itself round corners; or even the quirkiness of the electrics... -- and I found myself tinkering with a car for the first time in many, many years. Not since I owned a succession of VW Beetles and Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Escorts, in the '80s, have I had so much fun...! :)

Because I'm disabled, it had to be an automatic, of course. Also, any 'heavy lifting' means that I have to take it to a garage to be fettled... -- so the progress you see below is a mix of me getting (slightly) oily, and Black Cat Motors taking up the slack, and doing much more than their fair share of the difficult stuff...! ;)

I haven't got the stamina (or attention span) to post everything at once: so, for starters, here's the photo that attracted my attention -- and, I must admit, initially put it near the bottom of the list of cars I went to test-drive... (sorry) -- on AutoTrader:



More to follow, shortly...! :wave:

Edit
Here's how the car now looks (May 2014): (y)

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Reactions: Azzam, Alex K, CrustyzMentalz and 1 other person
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Didge3 said:
Impressive, have yet to see about 54 in our Speedgear, although again I'm sure its extremely optimistic, I actually can't manage to get it under 45, booted it just about everywhere and still seems to think I was getting 46mpg :confused:
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Before I switched over to super unleaded, the display would always show around the 44-45 mpg mark (which worked out, usually, at somewhere between 40 and 42); but now, for 'everyday' driving, it hovers around the 48-50 mark... -- and is working out at better pennies per mile, in fuel costs (see this thread...). (y)
 
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I've just noticed that it's exactly a year since I bought Priscilla: and, in that time:

  • We've driven 8,508 miles in her;
  • She's used 981.36 litres of petrol; and
  • This has cost us £1,358.28.
She's been extremely reliable; and a joy to drive. And I'll therefore be celebrating with an oil change, etc. on Wednesday...! :)

She's also led to us ending up with the three other FIATs you see in my signature... -- rekindling the joys of driving a Mk1 FIAT Panda 4x4 in the mid-eighties! :rolleyes:

Here's to many more happy miles...! :slayer:
 
homeward said:
She's been extremely reliable; and a joy to drive. And I'll therefore be celebrating with an oil change, etc. on Wednesday...! :)
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Famous last words, and all that.... :mad:



In the above photo, it appears (although we couldn't get the camera in exactly where we wanted...) that the head gasket is starting to weep: as you can see drips at the bottom of the water pump and oil filter housing. They weren't coming from the water pump (which was replaced with the timing belt, a year/8,000 miles ago...) -- but higher up from the front of the cylinder head, where it meets the engine block. :cry:

Strangely enough, the Punto hasn't noticeably been losing water -- although I do wonder if this was caused by the last-but-one thermostat (which wasn't on for very long) not working 100%. It could just be age (11 years), or mileage (88,000 miles), of course.... :confused:

Anyhoo: talking to the garage -- as this isn't something I'm physically capable of doing myself... -- we decided "sooner rather than later": as, if it went any further, then... :eek:

So, instead of a simple oil change, I ended up with:

  • the head gasket being replaced;
  • the cylinder head being skimmed;
  • new valve seats;
  • new stem seals;
  • the valves being lapped in;
  • another new thermostat; and
  • a big bucket of long-life coolant.
  • I also took the opportunity, whilst the engine was headless, to have the front door check-straps replaced.
The good news is that Priscilla now runs extremely sweetly (and the front doors open smoothly and silently...!); and, subjectively (but, then, I've been driving a 1990 769 cc Panda for the last week or so), appears to have a little more oomph -- particularly at the bottom end. (y)
 
Getting ready for Stanford... -- and I haven't even waxed it, yet...! :D



...although I have vacuumed it; cleaned the seats and interior; washed it; used Autoglym paint restorer on it; and sworn a lot at all the flies dying on it (they obviously like the smell of Autoglym products, too...). Wax and bumper and trim gel, tomorrow...! :slayer:

Night, night.... :sleep:
 
Ziggy122 said:
Looking Sweet there my friend!

The HG has been a nice full service i see! Many just get a HG replaced, not the full spit and shine!

If i ever have mine off, i will do just the same thing

Reseat - new seals and possibly give it a spray to make it look purdy!
Click to expand...

Thanks! (y)

At this mileage, it seemed stupid not to. The bodywork, etc. is in fine fettle; and I really want to keep the car going for a few years: so no point -- in my opinion -- of just doing half a job; and you might as we do all this 'housekeeping', whilst the valves, etc. are easily accessible.... :cool:

atom0007 said:
Looks really nice, like it a lot.

Did having the head off help in replacing the check straps?;)
Click to expand...

Thanks! (y)

Yes: I think we should make it a sticky... -- it makes one heckuva difference -- giving you much better access... -- and even gives you more additional horsepower than go-faster stripes.... :p


Anyhoo: finished the car off with a wax, bumper and trim gel, and glass polish (inside and out): :D

 
MFrV1 said:
Homeward, good to chat with you and Wrightyy there.
Unfortunately, that is photographic proof of how stupidly I dressed and must be destroyed.
Click to expand...

Sorry... -- but that did make me laugh! :D

It was really good to meet you, and your rather yummy Mk1... -- am now going to pop over to your Members Motors thread...! (y)

PS: B*gg*r -- can't seem to find one.... Where can I lavish praise upon your lovely Punto...?! :confused:
 
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I nearly didn't make it to Stanford Hall. Went to open the car at 06:30, to discover that the central locking didn't work; and that the car then wouldn't start... -- because I had a flat battery (after leaving the internal light on, whilst cleaning the inside...). :(

This is what Mk2 Pandas and heavy-duty jump-leads are for, of course: and the Punto then started first time; and away I went, fifteen minutes later than planned.... :eek:

Also, when I bought the car, it would always start immediately... -- but the past couple of weeks, it's gotten a bit sluggish: so.... :idea:



Normal service is now resumed. A five-minute job... -- followed by ten minutes faffing with the clock and the HU.... :rolleyes:

£40, with free postage, from Performance Batteries, by the way.... (y)
 
Where did you get your wind deflectors from and can you remember how much they were?
I quite fancy a set on my 5 door.

Am rather liking this car I think because its essentially a great looking standard car which goes to show you don't need millions of mods and LEDs and stickers to make a car look good....

I hope you declared that piece of battery wood to your insurance co ;)
 
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