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You would be much better with a good Fiat/Alfa independent who is used to working with older Fiats. It also seems that NW have been seen with some "interesting" business practices.
Technical Violent juddering
- Thread starter PuntoSS
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Technical Violent juddering
Last Fiat garage I used was independant. I got fobbed off by them for this same problem. Other garage is in Wantage but that's miles away from my house.
The "Engine Overheating" light appeared on the dashboard today. A tad concerned.
The "Engine Overheating" light appeared on the dashboard today. A tad concerned.
As you can see from the attached photo the red thermometer light appeared when I turned the car over. I revved it (not heavily) to warm it up a bit before taking off as it was ice cold inside and I was shivvering away! Gentle revving shouldn't harm it really.
I opened up the bonnet when I got home, turned the engine over, and that black box thing (I'm not very technical, sorry! lol) was shaking like a leaf, causing the other engine components to vibrate and do the same.
I did do a video which I can upload later if anyone thinks it might be useful but for now I'll upload a photo of the light on the dash.
I also notice when idling, the in-car heater goes freezing cold (unless I've been driving for ages), but I'd prefer if it stayed warm - there's nothing worse than having the heater on, only to stop at traffic lights/ slow down for a roundabout than a cold blast of air swiping you in the face!
I opened up the bonnet when I got home, turned the engine over, and that black box thing (I'm not very technical, sorry! lol) was shaking like a leaf, causing the other engine components to vibrate and do the same.
I did do a video which I can upload later if anyone thinks it might be useful but for now I'll upload a photo of the light on the dash.
I also notice when idling, the in-car heater goes freezing cold (unless I've been driving for ages), but I'd prefer if it stayed warm - there's nothing worse than having the heater on, only to stop at traffic lights/ slow down for a roundabout than a cold blast of air swiping you in the face!
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You touched your coolant at all?
What are your levels like?
If levels are ok drain the coolant and re-fill making sure you bleed. Sounds like you got a big air pocket! Keep running the car and it won't be long tilll your replacing the head gasket
What are your levels like?
If levels are ok drain the coolant and re-fill making sure you bleed. Sounds like you got a big air pocket! Keep running the car and it won't be long tilll your replacing the head gasket
Oh BTW sounds like it's mis-firing if its vibrating alot!
But the car only cuts out when the engine is running, not when I'm turning it over!
I've just been speaking to a relation of mine who said about the heater, having it on high (hot air) can cause more petrol to be dedicated to the heating system and not the other areas of the engine where it is most needed. Is there any truth in that?
I don't have it on full heat often apart from that day when it snowed and had to use the car but you'd think you'd be able to have the heating on whatever temperature, otherwise whats the point in allowing the driver to select the hottest heating temperature if the car isn't going to work with it?!
Bloody hell I hope the headgasket doesn't go. Not touched the engine coolant, did do oil checks this evening and all seemed okay. No steam was coming out of the engine but the exhaust belts out a hell of a lot of fumes.
When that red light was on, the fan was kicking in as well, and didn't go out. Even when I turned the engine off and back on again.
I'm already considering a new car (which I really can't afford), but if this is going to be an expensive job or more than £500 then it's bye-bye Punto. Such low mileage too, it'd be sad to see the back of her.
I've just been speaking to a relation of mine who said about the heater, having it on high (hot air) can cause more petrol to be dedicated to the heating system and not the other areas of the engine where it is most needed. Is there any truth in that?
I don't have it on full heat often apart from that day when it snowed and had to use the car but you'd think you'd be able to have the heating on whatever temperature, otherwise whats the point in allowing the driver to select the hottest heating temperature if the car isn't going to work with it?!
Bloody hell I hope the headgasket doesn't go. Not touched the engine coolant, did do oil checks this evening and all seemed okay. No steam was coming out of the engine but the exhaust belts out a hell of a lot of fumes.
When that red light was on, the fan was kicking in as well, and didn't go out. Even when I turned the engine off and back on again.
I'm already considering a new car (which I really can't afford), but if this is going to be an expensive job or more than £500 then it's bye-bye Punto. Such low mileage too, it'd be sad to see the back of her.
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The only more petrol the car uses is the power it takes for the fan to turn! Its extremely minimal! Bleed your coolant, sounds like you have air in the system to me! Sort that and then run it see if exhaust smokes when its warm. Soon as temp light comes on cut the engine and DO NOT run it! That will cause the head gasket to go! No need in getting rid of the car its very basic problem
Right. How would air get into the engine coolant? Is it a natural thing to happen over time or is it likely the air is being pumped in from somewhere?
When the red temp light came on earlier I left it running for a few mintues (the Fiat manual says to do this and then if it doesn't go out after a few minutes cut the power to the engine).
When the red temp light came on earlier I left it running for a few mintues (the Fiat manual says to do this and then if it doesn't go out after a few minutes cut the power to the engine).
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I'm being negative now but don't be surprised if the head gasket has already failed. The cold heater is a clue and the rough running pretty much confirms it.
It needs to be pressure tested to confirm. A few searches on here will give you all you need to know about these problems.
But even a new HG is cheaper than a new car think of it as one or two monthly payments. If the car is otherwise good its worth doing. Then remember to check everything each week and then keep all of the servicing fully up to date.
Sermon over. Get it tested and move on from there you might get lucky.
It needs to be pressure tested to confirm. A few searches on here will give you all you need to know about these problems.
But even a new HG is cheaper than a new car think of it as one or two monthly payments. If the car is otherwise good its worth doing. Then remember to check everything each week and then keep all of the servicing fully up to date.
Sermon over. Get it tested and move on from there you might get lucky.
Amen!
£400 for new HG
Don't pay any more
Don't pay any more
Blimey they don't come cheap do they? lol.
Would the H/G cause the engine to cut out and the violent vibrations it gets when I'm driving it?
And, if you were a betting man, how certain (percentage wise!) are you that it's the H/G? That price tag sounds hefty, you see. But if it has to be done it will have to be done.
Would the H/G cause the engine to cut out and the violent vibrations it gets when I'm driving it?
And, if you were a betting man, how certain (percentage wise!)
are you that it's the H/G? That price tag sounds hefty, you see. But if it has to be done it will have to be done.
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Its very cheap compared with other cars! Talking nearly £1000 on alot of cars and yes does sound alot like HG but only way to be certain is a compression test! That will soon tell you!
Yep sounds like head gasket, longer you drive it the more damge you'll do! Then you'll be looking at head gasket, new piston rings, new cylinder head and possible warped pistons! Whole engine replace basically
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We told youto stop driving it !!!
And the catalyst and O2 sensor can get messed up by leaking coolant
And the catalyst and O2 sensor can get messed up by leaking coolant
haha I know you did but it was either that or walk, didn't fancy walking in the rain whilst I had a cold (although it's not like I had a warm heater in the car anyway!)
It's alright it's going in the garage tomorrow morning, thank god. I hope they will sort it out for me otherwise I will be stuck.
It's alright it's going in the garage tomorrow morning, thank god. I hope they will sort it out for me otherwise I will be stuck.
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That non-walk could turn out very expensive.
