Technical My MK2 Punto 1.2 8V Power steering and engine question

[skeogh]

Hi guys, hoping you can help!

My power steering failed a few months ago, and it hasn't actually bothered me because the cars I have driven previously have all not had power steering. So after some time I decided to do something to sort it out for my MOT next month. Checked battery and alternator to make sure there was enough output, all fine even under heavy load. I stripped the steering column down to its bare minimum and cleaned up all the wires to the motor and e cu. Took note of numbers just incase I was going to be replacing anything. This still didn't fix the problem. So I decided to visit the breakers as they had a few puntos in, and fortunately there was one with the same ref number on the e cu as mine (6670), I needed a 10mm bolt for my rocker cover anyway. So the guy who owned the breakers said he wanted £100 for the motor and the ECU, which I wasn't willing to pay when I could just as easily buy one refurbished with warranty for slightly more than that.

Anyway, I decided to take the fuse out of the punto in the breakers and replace my power steering fuse with that just on the off chance, and the next morning the power steering came on, working perfectly for 2 days straight now. My question is, how likely is the power steering going to fail? Would I be Aswell just replacing the motor and ECU for my MOT next month? Or has the replacement fuse actually solved the problem?

My next question is engine related. I've noticed in the last couple of days that when I'm accelerating, the engine has a "deeper" sound to it, almost as if the're is a hole in my exhaust... But I have looked the entire length of the exhaust and cannot for the life of me find a hole. Any ideas? The car is running perfect apart from this, no loss of power. I recently done a service on the car a few weeks back, but even before the service it was running great. Ideas?

Thanks in advance guys

 

[fingers99]

I suppose it's possible that the fuse just blew. I'd leave it out till 2 days before the MOT, then refit. You must be pretty strong to drive a Mk2 with no PAS.

For the exhaust, I'd use t5he old wet rag near the end trick -- feel and look. It makes leaks far more obvious.

 

[skeogh]

Originally I had some difficulty driving the car without PAS, but then I got used to it. After a while it was only really noticeable when parking, that's when the muscles had to grow haha

Ok will do, there doesn't appear to be any leaks from what I can see. Is there anything in particular that could be giving the engine that "deeper" sound?

 

[fingers99]

Only other suspects are the air filter housing.

 

[skeogh]

Hmm I only just done the air filter a few weeks ago while i was servicing it, everything is nice and tight. Like I said there is no performance issues, for all I know could just be because we are getting slightly warmer weather.

 

[nitramtpr]

My daughter has the same Punto as you, the Power steering failed and I got a lifetime warranty EPS unit from BBA Reman off Ebay (item number 390589111882) listed at £160, I did a best offer £145 which they accepted, this was the complete unit (minus the lower shaft). It came next day and took about 2.5 hours to change. I see they have reduced the price to £155 now.
The car also started to make a deeper sound, I too checked the exhaust and couldn't find a hole. Then a couple of weeks later I heard he driving up the drive sounding like a rally car! The exhaust had completely split at the expansion part of the main pipe just behind the joint to the manifold downpipe. I got the exhaust and mounting kit off ebay seller parts2clear for £57 delivered for free and they came the next day I've not changed it yet as the bolts are completley corroded, I've just had delivered a draper nut and bolt removing set, hopefully they'll come off with that, I don't fancy having to grind them off Item numbers 120993849076 and 121213818052 for the exhaust bits. Not posted 5 times yet so I can post URLs.

Hope that helps,

Martin

 

[Ziggy122]

Tbh with exhaust bots on the punto you are better now to try and remove nuts if they are sound
But if not - grind the 2 spot welds off that hold the bolts onto the manifold itself

I then fitted 2x Stainless-steel nuts that were longer, and its a simple case of then just ratchet and spanner them up
No problems after that

Coppergrease may help, but have a feeling it may burn off with heat after a long run

Ziggy

 

[skeogh]

Yeah the engine is soundin really deep, and it definitely sounds like blow back from the exhaust, checked the exhaust today and everything is secure, only thing that is annoying me is on the section just before the back box, its slightly wobbly and when I turn left, the weight of the car shifts to the right and it vibrates and rattles against the heatshield.

Im going to replace the whole exhaust anyway as its looking very tired and worn, gives me the chance to clean and do underseal for rust prevention.

Thats great martin, has been added to my watch list for payday!

 

[nitramtpr]

I've just had another look under the car and if the nuts won't come off I'll do as you suggest Ziggy and grind the spot welds off and put my own nuts and bolts on. I have oodles of stainless ones from my biking days in the garage