Fiat Punto Overheating

Thanks, i'll check the airlock.
 >> Stay informed about: Fiat Punto Overheating 

"ST" <simontarbox.DeleteThis@btconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1146609029.854684.129290@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks, i'll check the airlock.

What about a blocked radiator, or a knackered thermostat?
 >> Stay informed about: Fiat Punto Overheating 

ST <simontarbox RemoveThis @btconnect.com> wrote:

> HELP!!!
> My wife has a 2001 "Y" Fiat Punto 1.2 8V. The problem we have is it
> seems to leak water out the rad cap and if the header is on cold the
> temperature gauge wizzes up and the car overheats. If when the gauge
> starts wizzing up she moves the heater control to hot then the gauge
> goes back to normal. The heater works fine and there is no oil in the
> water to indicate a head gasket problem. I have changed the rad cap
> just in case but this has made no difference.
> Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

There's 2 possibilities.

Worst case, it's got a blown head gasket.

Best case, it's a knackered water pump.

You need to get it pressure tested at a garage to determine which is the
problem.

If it's the head gasket, have the water pump changed at the same time,
because it *will* need replacing at some point very soon....


--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Fiat Marea 20v HLX - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Fiat Punto Overheating 

Would also add there is the possibility of a large airlock in the radiator.

Check for bleed screws/points at the top of the radiator AND on all water
hoses.

The car heater matrix is generally at a lower level than the maximum water
hight in the cooling system.

Nick /////
"SteveH" <steve.TakeThisOut@italiancar.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1heqa9l.1xfsiz3iz9xjvN%steve@italiancar.co.uk...
> ST <simontarbox.TakeThisOut@btconnect.com> wrote:
>
>> HELP!!!
>> My wife has a 2001 "Y" Fiat Punto 1.2 8V. The problem we have is it
>> seems to leak water out the rad cap and if the header is on cold the
>> temperature gauge wizzes up and the car overheats. If when the gauge
>> starts wizzing up she moves the heater control to hot then the gauge
>> goes back to normal. The heater works fine and there is no oil in the
>> water to indicate a head gasket problem. I have changed the rad cap
>> just in case but this has made no difference.
>> Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
>
> There's 2 possibilities.
>
> Worst case, it's got a blown head gasket.
>
> Best case, it's a knackered water pump.
>
> You need to get it pressure tested at a garage to determine which is the
> problem.
>
> If it's the head gasket, have the water pump changed at the same time,
> because it *will* need replacing at some point very soon....
>
>
> --
> Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
> http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
> Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Fiat Marea 20v HLX - COSOC KOTL
> BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Fiat Punto Overheating 

Oil in water is not always present.

Check for bubbles in radiator/header tank

As for water pump the only sure way is to remove it. Another method is to
wait till the engine is warm, shut off the car heater controls (set to
cold), and then manually restrict the top/bottom and bypass water hoses.
e.g. clamp the bypass hose fully then manually squeeze the radiator hose. A
point will come where noise/vibration/flow can be sensed. How you determine
if this is normal or not I don't know Of course higher engine revs will
increase flow and 'feeling'.

I'm assuming your Punto has a header tank in which case there will be a
small top return hose. This should be pushing water into the top of the
header tank. Depending on the visibility of the plastic you may be able to
see the varying flow with engine revs. If not you can disconnect this hose,
extend it and poke it into the header tank cap hole and water the discharge
rate.

These are all 'off the cuff' suggestions and may leave you in a bigger
dilema than ever!

Nick /////
"ST" <simontarbox RemoveThis @btconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1146608972.798655.198720@j73g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Thanks for the quick response. If it was the head gasket would i not
> see signs of oil in the water? Is there a way of seing if the water
> pump has gone?
> Regards
>
 >> Stay informed about: Fiat Punto Overheating 

Nick ///// <nicknewsX.TakeThisOut@Xnick-bailey.co.uk> wrote:

> Oil in water is not always present.
>
> Check for bubbles in radiator/header tank
>
> As for water pump the only sure way is to remove it. Another method is to
> wait till the engine is warm, shut off the car heater controls (set to
> cold), and then manually restrict the top/bottom and bypass water hoses.
> e.g. clamp the bypass hose fully then manually squeeze the radiator hose. A
> point will come where noise/vibration/flow can be sensed. How you determine
> if this is normal or not I don't know Of course higher engine revs will
> increase flow and 'feeling'.
>
> I'm assuming your Punto has a header tank in which case there will be a
> small top return hose. This should be pushing water into the top of the
> header tank. Depending on the visibility of the plastic you may be able to
> see the varying flow with engine revs. If not you can disconnect this hose,
> extend it and poke it into the header tank cap hole and water the discharge
> rate.
>
> These are all 'off the cuff' suggestions and may leave you in a bigger
> dilema than ever!

I'm going from my experience of a Cinq. Sporting (1.1 version of the
same FIRE lump). Initially we replaced the radiator, then the
thermostat, then the fan switch, before suspecting a blown head gasket.
It was cured in an afternoon of contorting myself under the bonnet to
replace the waterpump and cambelt.
--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Fiat Marea 20v HLX - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #
 >> Stay informed about: Fiat Punto Overheating