Mk 1 - 8 valve.
My wife?s Punto overheated today. She was using it locally, no traffic jams, so what made it overheat? The only thing I can imagine is the thermostat stuck shut. The engine got so hot that the plastic lugs holding the cambelt cover to the engine have melted. Car was running fine beforehand and starts and runs OK now, although the radiator header bubbles like a boiling kettle. Head gasket failure me thinks. Water level was OK a couple of weeks back when I checked and there have been no leaks onto the garage floor.
The head gasket was replaced about 18 months/3,000 miles ago (she doesn?t use the car much!), so I?m a bit peeved it?s gone again!
Seeing as the engine got so hot, what other damage could have resulted? Obviously the head will need skimming, but could it have cracked?
Chris M
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With the engine so hot the electric fan should have been running (assuming it has one)but it does sound as if the head gasket has gone,you will have no idea of the damage until its stripped down easy job on a Punto.
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the thermo switch in the radiator must have failed make sure this is replaced along with any other work needed ,they are £8 at the factors and the complete thermostat and housings are £12 and take 20 minutes to change assuming its an 1100/1242 engine.
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The thermostat and switch were replaced last time, but I'll change them again.
I took the head off this evening. Cylinder No 1 was damp and the carbon deposit wiped off easily to reveal a clean piston. The other cylinders are lightly carbonised, which doesn't wipe off. I therefore assume the problem lies around cylinder no 1. Is it usually around cylinder no 1on Puntos that go?
Chris M
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Pots 1 and 4 are most common ,make sure you have the head skimmed and fit a good quality head gasget also make sure the head is torqued down correctly.
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It can be the block that needs skimming,not always the head.
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Heads warp blocks do not ,never had to skim a block except for mechanical damage.
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If a block is that corroded the new gasket will not suffice it wants dumping.
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Assuming a replacement block is available but 1934 blocks are not two-a-penny!!!!
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Well the job is done and the car is running fine.
I haven't done a head gasket in over 20 years and am feeling pretty pleased with myself. All the bolts came undone easily, the head came off with little prompting, all the parts were in stock and were the correct ones first time, I didn't have to stop and go out to get anything unexpected, the car started first time, the weather was fine and the birds were singing. DIY as it should be!!
And perhaps best of all, I save circa £200 on labour - sorry oldman ;-)
Chris M
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