Technical Thirsty Fiat????

[no1sourlung]

I have become the proud owner of a W reg Mk 2 Fiat Punto ELX 8v, but all it has caused is aggro. 3 Weeks after having it I had to change the spark plugs.[!]

Then wipers juddered but this has sorted itself out.

Now the thing is drinking water like an alcoholic in a brewery. I can fill it up to max line and after 7-8 miles it is back down to the min line. I have checked for crap in the oil but this is fine. I spoke to Fiat who instantly said head gasket but I have a feeling it is the bottom hose from the radiator. I am getting a second opinion tomorrow and will post the result.

I keep thinking that I should never have got the car but once it has been polished I realised why I bought it! Wish I got a 16v or a sporting thought!

 

[ChrisUK]

umm try putting some paper underneath the engine bay on the floor and see what it collects. probally a loose connection with the cooling hoses or a leak from the radiator its self not hard to replace.

 

[no1sourlung]

I had a quick look earlier today and there was a bit of steam coming off the hose. But it was short lived. Probably just a small split.

 

[kebab]

not much too work with but i would also say headgasget, keep us posted.

uno 1.0ie RAAAWW!

 

[pritch]

leave paper under car overnight to see if it's leaking anything. If a hose has split, don't go too nuts. The things that your car has needed so far are perfectly normal for any car.

Spirito di Punto | M-reg 55SX, black, 5dr. Clear repeaters. Remote locking fitted.

 

[JonnyBoy]

Glad to see you're not taking the Fiat dealer's word for it! Take the oil filler cap off and see if there's "mayonnaise" (nasty white mayo-like crap that you get when oil & water mix); if not, headgasket failure's unlikely.

<font color="navy">Punto 55SX</font id="navy">

 

[no1sourlung]

I have been to my own garage who confirmed that it is the head gasket and I know these people so they are not trying to rip me off (never trust a dealer!).

There was no "mayonnaise" in the oil tank. It is booked in for Thursday.

Can't wait to have a fully working car again. Sticking with Fiat though my girlfriend will be taking me to work til Thursday in her Uno!.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[kebab]

im currious if anyone has ever seen this oil mayo in anything other than a cvh fiesta.
personally ive done well over a hundred fire headgasgets on various different versions of the engine and ive never seen this before, the best tell tail sign is air/exhaust gasses in the cooling system.
smell your coolant people,
petrol smell = bad


uno 1.0ie RAAAWW!

 

[no1sourlung]

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!

Got my car back today had the head gasket sorted and the cam belt replaced!!

I love my Punto again!

 

[alexb]

Head gasket on a W-reg? That's well early! Has the car done lots of miles?

I'd get in contact with Fiat head office and log a complaint if I were you. At the end of the day, you've got nothing to lose and they might even meet you half way for the work that was done.

 

[evanjohn00000]

This is probably the least of your worries, but you mentioned the wipers juddered.
The missus had a 51 plate 8v 1.2, which had juddery wipers, so I took it back to the dealer as it was under warranty. They said that there was a recall on the early Mk2s due to insufficient grease in the motor.

You should get it checked out, it may be done free of charge.

Broom Yellow 2002 HGT

 

[puntonovice]

Originally posted by alexb
Head gasket on a W-reg? That's well early! Has the car done lots of miles?

I'd get in contact with Fiat head office and log a complaint if I were you. At the end of the day, you've got nothing to lose and they might even meet you half way for the work that was done.

mine went not so long ago on my Yreg...and thats done 25000 miles (ish) [V]