Punto (Mk2/2b) New and my car busted

[Ech86]

I have just joined up for some advice.

I have owned my 2001 w reg fiat punto for two weeks and already had to replace something to do with the power steering as it kept cutting out. Two days ago while driving down to Brighton. A 20 mile journey it over heated several times and refused to start. My mechanic has got it for the weekend and has told me he suspects it's the head gasket. There was no oil leak just a lot of fluid. My the time I managed to get it home there was no fluid in the radiator thing (I don't know much about cars) but was full when we got to Brighton. I just want to get a general idea on cost as so far at a rough estimate he has quoted 400-500 considering I only paid 700 for the car and already spent 300 on the power steering I wondered if anyone had a suggestion in cost

 

[varesecrazy]

Hello , and welcome to FF,

OH Dear..!!, it sounds as if you are learning the hard way..

the Steering fault should've been obvious.. on a test-drive + inspection ,
similar with a Head Gasket / cooling issue,


with so many expensive issues in such a short time,
I would get the car properly assessed before throwing any more money at it..!!

you MAY just be unlucky.. BUT it could be a dog..,

FYI a head gasket job is @£400 / £500 in a garage.. BUT the parts are only @ £40,

Charlie

 

[Ech86]

Good news not the head gasket. She was empty and because the engine was so hot it expanded what fluid was in there making it look full when she wasn't. Mechanic can't see any signs of the head gasket being on its way out. The power steering only failed when doing reverse manoeuvres and as I didn't test drive (my step dad did) he didn't notice until he parked her up outside my home.

So friggin pleased. Just want her home now. Thanks for the help!!

 

[Brendan W]

Garage prices vary with location - where are you roughly? I think you need to find a better garage.
Power steering tripping out at full lock reversing can be a sign of a failing battery. It consumes a lot of juice and sometimes the car is not able for it especially if the battery is tired.
A remanufactured column fitted could have been closer to the £200 mark.
Coolant needs checking every week and leaks found and fixed. You are very lucky if the headgasket has escaped two overheating events with low coolant level. Was the Brighton run in heavy traffic and was the fan coming on when it did overheat. A headgasket job should be around the £300 - 350 mark. When it comes back make sure there are no gurgling noises in the heater on start up - it's a sign of an airlock which can cause overheating and will need bleeding to get it out.
As Charlie said you are learning the hard way, but weekly fluid level checks are not optional.

 

[flisko]

autodata shows 204 mins to change headgasket, how much they charge per hour to get to 300-350 squid mark? considering headgasket should be around 10 squid

 

[oldhammer]

autodata shows 204 mins to change headgasket, how much they charge per hour to get to 300-350 squid mark? considering headgasket should be around 10 squid

Theres more than just labour charged,

head Skim,
rocker gasket
headgasket
Belt/tensioner
waterpump
thermostat
metal water rail 'O' ring.

 

[flisko]

head Skim ?
rocker gasket cant be more than 10 squid
headgasket £9.54
Belt/tensioner £18.60
waterpump £19.09
thermostat £7.86
metal water rail 'O' ring. cant be more than 10 squid

= 75 squid for the parts excluding head skim + 3 hours work= 350 squid?

too much if u ask me

 

[GrandeGuy]

The fact it stopped and wouldn't start and had no coolent in scares the hell out of me, Sounds like it heat seized if you ask me which is fairly fatal, did it lose power then stop then turn key and nothing? If so heat seized and most certainly new engine job ?

 

[oldhammer]

head Skim ?
rocker gasket cant be more than 10 squid
headgasket £9.54
Belt/tensioner £18.60
waterpump £19.09
thermostat £7.86
metal water rail 'O' ring. cant be more than 10 squid

= 75 squid for the parts excluding head skim + 3 hours work= 350 squid?

too much if u ask me

Depends where you go and what parts used iguess,
not all garages will use white box parts,

igree mind 350 is too pricey, 220-250 wouid be more realistic,

 

[flisko]

how much is 1 hour of hard labour of a mechanic priced at?

 

[dave]

autodata shows 204 mins to change headgasket, how much they charge per hour to get to 300-350 squid mark? considering headgasket should be around 10 squid

you don't just buy a head gasket you buy head gasket kit inc new bolts
water pump an cam belt and thermostat as may as well whilst its all stripped an drained
new coolant, oil and filter as what's in there may be contaminated.

may as well fit new plugs as they could have been covered in coolant and/or oil

skim is a must even if head is flat as it gives best cleaned seal on to new gasket.

but most of that probably isn't included in a garage quote

if a jobs worth doing and all that ........

 

[flisko]

wise words from uncle dave, we thank u for your wisdom