Mk1 Punto 1.2 60sx problem...

[rumpelstiltskin]

I'm just hopping someone out there will know definite symptoms with these cars if the head gasket has gone.First of all i'll say whats working ok.Heater works fine,thermostat etc.new plugs,new water pump.Car doesn't overheat!First symptoms the car showed was a hesitation to rev and pull away from standstill,or to rev freely the second after it had started,like for a second or two it was running on three cylinders.Same when the car is idling,engine will be fine,i rev it then it wil act after this like it is running on three cylinders and you get that dudududud sound when trying to rev it.Also i noticed when she came home in it the other day(from a short 2 mile journey)there seemed to be a little more white smoke than usual but i put this down to the weather being a little cold and the car not being warmed up yet.There is no water in the oil and vice-versa.The coolant has gone down slightly though.I checked the spark plugs today which are fresh in two weeks ago and they are fine.Anyone any ideas?

[HiRich]

I'd suggest you check at www.fiatforum.com
You're correct that head gaskets are a problem. It's showing few of the signs, but then Fiat head gaskets can do that. There have been a lot of similar problems raised recently - could be ECU, could be leads, could be a sensor, and I'd be tempted to check through those first. Certainly check the Punto forums for about a month or so back.

As for the head gasket, there are two tests that a garage can do quickly. The sniff test (an ultra-basic version is for you to remove the oil filler cap and sniff both cap and hole for petrol), and a compression test. If you don't quickly come up with an alternative cause, I'd get it in for one of these. It might be the difference between a simple gasket change and a full re-skimming.

[thepickle]

I’ve replaced the head gasket on my mk1 60s. My advice would be check water levels obsessively, and do a compression test. I bought a test thingy from a local car bits place and it’s easy to use. There’s always the hope it’s something simple (you already mention plugs are ok) but before you go down the road of changing leads etc, I’d stick a compression tester on it and see if that shows any significant variation between cylinders. The engine stuttering you mention sounds just like the first sympton mine had before progressing on to heavy water use and overheating.

[Dougal]

I have the same symtoms as you on startup and when ticking over when warm. I think it might be the head gasket too, have got slight white deposit on the inside of the oil cap, but no obvious water/oil mix anywhere. I compression tested it, No'1 was high 15 ish Bar so was No'2, No'3 and 4 were just right at about 12ish, I would have thought that if it was the gasket there would be a low reading not a high one?

[alex_p]

My 1997, P reg, Punto had the same symptoms in 1999. Head gasket had gone but no 'usual' symptoms e.g. white sludge, sniff test, just massive coolant use.

Replaced the gasket and skimmed the head, new head gasket went almost straight away. Turned out the block had an inclusion in the casting that was preventing the gasket sealing properly. Contacted Fiat and complained, they told me to get lost so I park exed it. Shame as I really liked that car!

Seeing as yours has lasted this long hopefully it'll be a straight forward fix rather than a manufacturing problem, but I'd advise looking at it sooner rather than later before any more damage gets done...

Edited by alex_p on Friday 23 May 08:59