Technical Punto 1.2 advice sought

[Taipan]

Hi All

Buying a 2005 Mk2 ( I think, see pic below? ) Punto 1.2 16v for my Son at the weekend. The owner has sent me a list of little things that need doing and seems pretty honest. But obviously i'll be looking it over before buying. I know nothing about Puntos so is there any problems they are famed for having or things you definitely look out for if buying one?

We dont think its had a cambelt changed on it as its only done 52k miles. Searching the archives it seems it could be changed at 5 years/60k or according to the Fiat info below its 8years/72k. WHich is it?

I think i'm right in saying the 16v, which we believe it to be, isnt a safe engine, so may just opt to replace it anyway? I'll order up a Haynes if i dont find a decent online guide with the settings in the archives.

Lastly does anyone know the tyre sizes on the Alloys below?

Many thanks

 

[PuntoHowTo]

the diesel cam belt should be done earlier (despite what the pic above says) i believe the petrol models are ok for 8yrs 72k however almost all Mk2b's have past 8 years of age now so its better to do it anyway. if you don't know 100% its been changed then change it.

tires a believe a 185/55/15 82H

 

[Eklipze3k]

So that's a Mk2b. In my opinion, change the cambelt ASAP if you've got no history of it being done. You're right that this isn't a 'safe' engine. Best to do the water pump and aux belt at the same time, and a coolant flush and renew isn't going to go amiss while the pump is being changed as you'll need to drain it anyway.

 

[homeward]

We dont think its had a cambelt changed on it as its only done 52k miles. Searching the archives it seems it could be changed at 5 years/60k or according to the Fiat info below its 8years/72k. WHich is it?

I think i'm right in saying the 16v, which we believe it to be, isnt a safe engine, so may just opt to replace it anyway?

Lastly does anyone know the tyre sizes on the Alloys below?

Welcome!

I'll start with the easy stuff... -- the tyres are 15": probably 185/55-15 (although I think you can also fit 195/55-15, without any problems...).

As it's a 16v, and it's getting on in years, regardless of mileage, the first thing I would do is change the belt, as you sensibly suggest. Although it's not as cheap or easy to do as the 8v engine (you need special tools -- although these can be fashioned using the method described in the Haynes...), as you say, it's not 'safe': and so the belt going would be a little catastrophic....

Apart from that, keep it serviced and looked after, and it'll be a joy to drive (for both of you...)!

 

[homeward]

So that's a Mk2b. In my opinion, change the cambelt ASAP if you've got no history of it being done. You're right that this isn't a 'safe' engine. Best to do the water pump and aux belt at the same time, and a coolant flush and renew isn't going to go amiss while the pump is being changed as you'll need to drain it anyway.

I'd add to this to replace the thermostat, whilst you're at it. Mk2 Punto ones, for some reason, get lazy quickly (or just go into hibernation); and, although I used to believe that FIAT-branded/sourced ones were reliable, I'd now only go for one from Gates. Big Mick, at Eurocarcare (where members of the forum get a discount...), or Shop4Parts (ditto), can supply all you need!

 

[Eklipze3k]

:yeahthat:

 

[Taipan]

Thanks everyone. if it hasnt been changed we'll certainly get it changed. I'll order up a Haynes now. Incidentally how can we tell if its a 8 or 16v?

 

[homeward]

Thanks everyone. if it hasnt been changed we'll certainly get it changed. I'll order up a Haynes now. Incidentally how can we tell if its a 8 or 16v?

Open up the bonnet: the airbox will be roughly square, if it's 16v (and the rocker cover -- such as it is -- looks like Spaghetti Junction...); and have obviously rounded corners, if it's 8v (and have a proper rocker cover...).

 

[Taipan]

Open up the bonnet: the airbox will be roughly square, if it's 16v (and the rocker cover -- such as it is -- looks like Spaghetti Junction...); and have obviously rounded corners, if it's 8v (and have a proper rocker cover...).

Ahh of course it'll be twin cam if its 16v! :doh:

 

[homeward]

Ahh of course it'll be twin cam if its 16v! :doh:

This is what you should see:

 

[Taipan]

This is what you should see:

Thats pretty unequivocal!

 

[s and b]

first car for son?
8 valve or there will be tears before bedtime, 16 valves need coddling, something most lads don't understand

 

[homeward]

Thats pretty unequivocal!

Not a word you hear often in these here parts...!

 

[Taipan]

first car for son?
8 valve or there will be tears before bedtime, 16 valves need coddling, something most lads don't understand

Too late to change now. Why do they need coddling?

 

[varesecrazy]

Not a word you hear often in these here parts...!

nor "coddling",


herring wives anyone..

 

[Taipan]

Turns out it is an 8v and from my point of view I believe that to be a good thing! Heats off fro a cambelt for now and give my wallet a chance to get over its recent shocks!

It drove well enough and we've dropped it off for its 3 o/c MOT and I guess the outcome of that will determine how good a purchase it is, if at all.

 

[scimitargtc]

committed as in bought? we bought 17 year old daughter a 2004 1.2 16v 5 dr mk2b 3 years ago (same ins as an 8v - wifey & me used it to commute in - motorways so 80bhp + air con + 48 mpg made it perfect cheap runaround, whilst daughter was learning to drive) then she bought the car from us its just turned 100k and only issues have been - new front discs pads 2 days after buying due to it being stood (diy task <£100), clutch six months later (diy fix <£120) both track rod ends diy fix (<£20), cam belt at 75k local garage, passenger air bag wiring harness fix £5.03 + 30 mins Fiat labour and just ordered new front wiper assembly - diy fix (£61) + tyres usual servicing, In contrast youngest bought an 1.2 8v mk2 last year when he turned 17 - 2001 3dr ELX with 'supa dupa' hifi & cd multichanger - we've had puntos in the family since 1995 so believed we 'almost' knew what we were doing - bit of a disaster in Summer of 2013 - offside drive shaft popped out - worn £60 all in diy fix, did clutch, both wishbones due to seals perished, both track rod ends half exhaust both front discs and pads to give it hopefully another couple of years of life - and then the thing overheated (no warning at all) - head had previously been replaced when we dismantled and clearly whoever did it didn't solve why it had overheated in the first place ---- seized thermostat so with cam belt change, water pump (a highly recommended action as the same time as clutch) a seized head bolt that little lot came in a few quid under £700 yes yes another engine would have been £150 BUT we'd got that far in hard to back out = almost what the car cost a year before - just been for mot --- apart from an incorrectly sized tyre - the same garage had put that on at previous MOT so replaced FOC, WELDING - initial thoughts maybe end of the car offside inner sill - ended up being £105 - but the outer wheel arch has literally bubbled up in the last 2 weeks and there is rot to the inner arch - also passenger air bag light came on a few days before mot and would not reset with multiscan - garage managed to do it but came on the next day so off to Fiat for the £5.03 harness to sort that 1 - these cars are getting old and as in all things look carefully, deal with problems as they arise diy as much as poss and accept eventually it will return to the ground as iron oxide

 

[Taipan]

Well it sailed through the MOT with no advisories! It had been into Fiats for a "visual health check" and they had found a few things on it but none were enough to fail on! Presented it to my Son last night and has a grin as wide as a footbal pitch!

I do have a few questions.

We're sorting his insurance out this morning and wondered does this have an immobiliser and/or alarm? It has the blue remote action key.

How much are duplicate keys?

The heater fan doesn't work. You can turn it from speeds 1 to 4 but no fan. Is this a common fault? Is it likely to be just the switch or the fan itself?

 

[scimitargtc]

yes it does have an immobiliser built into the key - sounds as if you have only 1 key- dealer probably only source for additional

Buy son a Haynes manual for the correct year -- it will pay dividends

FAN - under passenger footwell -- check the engine bay fuse for the fan & if ok then likely to be the multiplug about 12 inches along the wiring harness in the footwell - check motor works by powering it at the motor housing itself - pull off the 2 pin plug and make up two test leads with insulated female spade connectors to prevent shorts - 1 to earth 1 to positive 12v supply. If it does power the motor disconnect the black grey multiplug to the left of the motor -- you may find it is really hard which is because 1 or more (usually the black earth) pins has 'chattered' and burnt - if that's the case cut the black lead (or whichever one it is & assuming it is only 1 cable) at either side of the multiplug and joint wires together ie bypass the multiplug -- if you search 'cabin heater' on this forum you'll see photos as well..... as in all things start logically and don't 'assume' or jump in with expensive 'guesses'

 

[Taipan]

Yes I have a Haynes manual winging its way to me as we speak!

Great info on the heater fan. I'll have a look a that tonight.

I think my Son thinks i"m a dealer and he has the car under warranty. He took it out yesterday for his first solo drive since passing his test. I asked him how he got on and instead of teling me about driving, he said he really liked the car but the passenger door is stiff to open, the passenger sun visor is broken and flops down, the rear wiper smears rather than wipes... Bloody kids!