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General Mk2 Punto Rust

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General Mk2 Punto Rust

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symonh2000

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Hi Everyone, I am considering buying a Punto Mk2 HGT from around 1999-2001 and would like to know whether rust is a problem on them.

The reason being our Bravo 1.2 (2001) is suprisingly rusty underneath, and will probably need welding for its next MOT.

Many Thanks.
 
I've not had any comments/advisories about rust underneath mine from services/MOT's (51 plate)

There is however some bubbling/rust showing near the rubber seal on one part of the roof, so I'd be looking for more obvious bits like that.
 
Sump is the main weakspot for rust, the body is generally okay! They were supposed to be zinc plated to stop them rusting but that is only really effective for max 5 years or so. I've only had the suspension arms rusty on mine really, thats only one out of the 3 aswell.

It had been sat for a few months before I bought it so rust may have built up then!

1 out of the 3 cars BTW not 3 suspension arms incase you think I'm a retard!
 
Cheers guys, I will still check any prospective cars as usual, but at least I know that they are too rust prone. (y)
 
bredsticz said:
Sump is the main weakspot for rust, the body is generally okay! They were supposed to be zinc plated to stop them rusting but that is only really effective for max 5 years or so. I've only had the suspension arms rusty on mine really, thats only one out of the 3 aswell.

It had been sat for a few months before I bought it so rust may have built up then!

1 out of the 3 cars BTW not 3 suspension arms incase you think I'm a retard!
Click to expand...

Really? The Hgt has an aluminium sump.
 
After their 1970's rust horrors, Fiat were the first to use galvanised steel. Corrosion-wise they are good as any mains-stream car maker.

The roof rack brackets under the rubber strip roof gutters can rust and it spreads onto the main panel. Catch it early scrape off loose paint and coat with chainsaw oil** and there is no problem. Leave it and the rust seeps into the panel.

Otherwise look for accident repairs which probably wont have rustproofed as well as the factory.

** This stuff is a fab rust-proofer (where you wont be painting over it). The oil seems to soak into the metal surface. I treated some bare metal and left it out to weather. 3 months later the the untreated was rusty, but oiled area as good as new. I wiped off the (now sticky) oil and left it another 3 months. The treated/cleaned area was just beginning to rust in spots but the untreated was going flaky.
 
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I know Most recent Fiats are galvanised, but as far as I was aware both Fiat and Alfa didn't galvanise either the floorpan or the roof on cars of this generation.

I know some Alfa's of the same era suffer from floorpan corrosion, most of which seems to spread underneath the underseal and the first you know is you have a big hole. :eek: Although this seems to vary considerably from car to car.

Like I said above, our 2001 Bravo looks pretty bad underneath as well. :cry:
 
Last edited:
WhiteSei said:
After their 1970's rust horrors, Fiat were the first to use galvanised steel. Corrosion-wise they are good as any mains-stream car maker.

The roof rack brackets under the rubber strip roof gutters can rust and it spreads onto the main panel. Catch it early scrape off loose paint and coat with chainsaw oil** and there is no problem. Leave it and the rust seeps into the panel.






Otherwise look for accident repairs which probably wont have rustproofed as well as the factory.

** This stuff is a fab rust-proofer (where you wont be painting over it). The oil seems to soak into the metal surface. I treated some bare metal and left it out to weather. 3 months later the the untreated was rusty, but oiled area as good as new. I wiped off the (now sticky) oil and left it another 3 months. The treated/cleaned area was just beginning to rust in spots but the untreated was going flaky.
Click to expand...



I had the same problem on a mk 1 punto. I fixed the rust but the problem is that the new rubber strips of the drip ride roof dont fit tightly against the roof although i tried refitting them with different techniques with no success.... any suggestions how to solve this problem?
 
My 99 Punto Sporting has a bad rust problem on the underbody, yet looks very tidy in terms of the bodywork you can see without jacking it up, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear that Fiat didn't galvanise the floorpans on these cars! The mobile mechanic I have been using for years says it's unusual these days to see a 10 year old car with such bad rust. It's annoying, as welding is about the only thing I can't really have a go at sorting out myself...
 
dear Unknown user :p , did you check under the rubber strips that function as a rain gutter? There was hidden rust in mine when rust popped in the area you mentioned.
 
never checked.
just waiting till i can be arsed getting around to sorting it out.
tempted by 2 ways
myself wire brushing to bear metal then spraying with rust prevention stuff at work used on steelwork. and stop caring about odd bits of paint. or get some mixed and put fresh paint over

or just pay someone.

i will probably pay someone.

Mine will need doing this year as its grown
 
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