FIAT Punto II (1999 - 2006) - 00 1.2 swooshing water noise

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Tue 22 Dec 2009 11:17
00 1.2 swooshing water noise - lju00dt
this time last year i had a new head gasket done on my punto after the thermostat broke and caused some extreme overheating.

after a 600 pound expense i have noticed this last month or so that the swooshing water noise mentioned by a previous poster is happening in my car on the passenger side too - it always seems to be when the car is first starting and then quickly stops after it gets warm.

This morning (in freezing conditions) I got my car de-iced and running - half way on my way to work I had noticed that no hot air was coming from the heaters - I could still see my own breath - and the temp indicator started to slowly rise above halfway - so i turned back and dropped it off at my nearest garage.

Initially i thought there might just be a problem with the thermostat again - but after reading this post about the water noise - i fear the head gasket may have gone again?

any advice?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 22 Dec 2009 11:33
00 1.2 swooshing water noise - piston power
It's freezing cold a burst radiator or a core plug gone water leaked out the noise is air trapped.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 22 Dec 2009 13:12
00 1.2 swooshing water noise - gvmllr
its the heater matrix,needs replacing. very common fault on these puntos. it was my post you read. when you start the car and drive you can hear water from the passenger side swooshing from left to right. its an expensive job. i didnt bother getting mine fixed,i sold the car. to get to the heater matrix the dash has to be removed and then the matrix is fastened in,so all in all its a messy job. if you know anyone who fixes cars it could turn out a little cheaper. but personally if you cant afford it, get rid..anyway good luck.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 22 Dec 2009 15:21
00 1.2 swooshing water noise - injection doc
check the water level in the rad cold. Start the car up & get someone to hold it at 1500rpm
whilst cold & top up the rad. make sure heater is on hot position. This should expel any air. you may see the water level in the rad suddenly drop.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 23 Dec 2009 12:34
00 1.2 swooshing water noise - lju00dt
I have just been told by garage that head gasket has gone again.

it only got done in jan 2009 - luckily under 12 month warranty so getting back to them quick.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 23 Dec 2009 14:40
00 1.2 swooshing water noise - bell boy
are you sure the headgasket has gone
i would get a second opinion if i was you and read the post about topping the radiator up to the correct level above
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 19 Jan 2010 09:00
00 1.2 water noises again - lju00dt
in line with the previous threads about swooshing water noise - how serious is this? will it cause any further damage down the line?

My previous problem turned out to be burnt out pistons rings - not head gasket. so another 450 quid later i got the car back.

Please can anyone advise on the following?

current issues
- swooshing water noise on passenger side.

- since returned from garage i now have a faint whirring/high pitched noise coming from front drivers side.

- smell of petrol after a few miles driving.

- as i come to a stop, when the engine revs go down to zero - for the frist couple of 'rounds' it sounds like it gags/chokes as if it is going to stall but doesnt. never happened before - but just since it came back from garage.

oh and also to rub salt in the wound - my door handle fell off unexpectadly yesterday too.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide