Punto problems again!! Anyone help??

[Austin-182]

Evening all,

The other half's punto has a problem, last night the temp gauge went all the way to the top and the red warning light came on. The fan came on. Poped the bonnet and there was smoke with a slight burning smell. The heaters in the car even though on hot were blowing cold air only.
Today she went back out and after not long the needle now started going up to the drop and dropping to the middle then back to the top again.

Any ideas what this could be?

Just to add, oil level is fine and not losing any, no signs of mayo in the oil/oil fill.

Cheers Guys

 

[Bluebeard]

Had any work done to the car lately? Sounds like an air lock in the water system but its so difficult to tell without seeing the car.

Fix it again tomorrow strikes again! lol.

 

[Chapster5]

Maybe thermostat is faulty

 

[scotty2hotty81]

Possible water pump but I would put money on head gasket, sell it there $hite (sorry)

 

[Short Norman]

Our 1995 punto did something similar, it was head gasket. £18 for head gasket kit and a Sunday to fit and it ran spot on after (I'd never done anything like that before but found it quite simple). Punto's of that age are prone to HG failure. What year is yours.

 

[Simon@SprayShack]

Id start with the basic's as stated above, "usually" you get tail tail signs that a HG's going, using water, mayonaise etc etc. Id change the thermostat then bleed system, wont cost much, also check that with the filler cap off for the coolant top up tank you can see the water pumping back in. (this wont work if it has an expansion tank design)

If that doesnt cure it, get it sniffed for HG failure.

 

[Austin-182]

Its V reg, it is looked after and only on 67k.

It has had recent work done yes, cambelt, waterpump and coolant change. Only thing is, just before all the work was done, the temp shot up one day but has been fince after all the above was done, this was about 7 weeks ago then last night the problem started so im left confused

 

[scotty2hotty81]

Its V reg, it is looked after and only on 67k.

It has had recent work done yes, cambelt, waterpump and coolant change. Only thing is, just before all the work was done, the temp shot up one day but has been fince after all the above was done, this was about 7 weeks ago then last night the problem started so im left confused

It will be head gasket I'm afraid, get it checked to be 100%, last one I did needed the head skimming 5 times!!!

 

[Russ_16v]

Either HG or water pump - the temp going up and down points towards water pump to me, we se eit when a pump isn't replaced, and the tension from the new belt is enough to finish it off - i hope the pump was actually replaced

 

[Austin-182]

Had a look at it and there was an air lock so its been bled again so will see if it stops overheating, if not then hg may be the next options
Cheers fellas