Punto 99 radiator water boiling

[mack123]

Hi,
i have a fiat punto year 99. after turning the engine on after 5 minutes the rasdiator water starts boiling and a lot of pressure builds up in the pipes going towards the thermostat. it is using a lot of water in the short runs and smoking a fair amount. i think it could be any one of 3 things.
1 the thermostat has gone, which i am looking at today
2 the water pump has gone, which after trying the thermostat and if to no avail, will try this.
3 the head gasket has gone.

it is definately not the fan though as after a five minute run in this cold weather (not in traffic) the fan is not needed.
any help on this would be great as need to get it sorted as soon as possible. thanks
its done just under 70K.

[thong]

get a chemical test done to see if there are any exh gases in the cooling system,or get the h/g pressure tested,or leak down which ever you want to call it.

[mack123]

cheers for that, took it down garage when i workedout it was the HG. bloody nightmare. there charging 425 for that and timing belt. not all that bad. cheers though