10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

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Fri 14 Apr 2006 21:38

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - aaflyer

Apologies if this sounds a really basic. I am, however, very new to this car lark and paranoid that I'm not looking after my car properly! So, all advice is really appreciated.

My Punto has about 11,ooo on it, but is not yet one year old (July). Is this about the right time for its first service (manual is really vague - but see below).

Second, it's an auto. In your experience, are most reasonable garage / service centres happy to do basic maintenance with autoboxes, e.g. replacing ATF (although manual says at 25,000, but HJ says each year??) and checking for basic problems in this area.

Thank you

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Sat 15 Apr 2006 21:58

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - Civic8

>>manual is really vague
should tell you at what intervals/ie in miles-or time limit the engine oil/filter needs replacing for a first service and therafter,first service is oil and filter change due to running in,and best left to interval stated in miles/time rather than changing before.

if the time is longer than amount of miles done,then its due a change.
Any garage will do what you ask if specificaly asked to do so,But you have to ask or tell them what you want done over and beyond service specified,Not forgetting you pay for any excess work outside standard service
--
Steve

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Tue 18 Apr 2006 12:28

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - Gromit {P}

I belive your Punto is due a service.

On mine, the manual specifies a service interval of 15,000km (+/- 10% max) or every year, whichever comes first.

15,000km is 9375 miles, which is why my dealer used to recommend service every 9000 miles.

The manual also recommends checking coolant and gearbox fluid levels at intervals where, on this site, you'd be advised to change them. I'd strongly suggest you follow the Back Room advice on this - the cost of a fluid change is far lower than a new gearbox or (especially as it's a Punto) head gasket replacement.

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Tue 18 Apr 2006 14:57

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - aaflyer

Thanks for the timely advice, Gromit.

Will look into getting it serviced at a known Fiat dealership.

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Wed 19 Apr 2006 10:14

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - prm72

Glad i saw this post, just about to buy a 53 reg punto 1.2 8 valve, i've heard they have problems with head gaskets, whats the signs please, this one has an oil leak from the front left hand side of the engine ( looks like HG area), also are there any other probs i need to know about, the cars done 52k, oh and when should the cambelt be changed, thanks in advance.

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Thu 20 Apr 2006 21:53

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - wrangler_rover

I've got a 51 reg 1.2 litre 8 valve Punto. Mine has an oil leak in the same place, I've been told it's the rocker cover gasket & it's a common fault & it should almost be treated as a consumable item.
The cambelt is due for changing at 72k miles.
I've had mine from new, it's done 67k miles, I've taught both sons to drive in it. My 19 year old now drives it most of the time, all I will say is that the car can stand a lot of punishment.

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Fri 21 Apr 2006 12:02

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - Gromit {P}

White sludge ('mayonnaise') in the oil or using coolant are common signs.

When you go to test drive the car, arrange to do so very first thing in the morning. Make sure it hasn't been run before you drive it. Start the car and drive off immediately - if it seems to run roughly, doing what I can only describe as a slight kangaroo hop as it pulls away (it'll feel slightly jerky, as though it was misfiring, but not as harsh), then there's coolant leaking into the cylinders via the head gasket.

That's what mine felt like when my head gasket leak began to fail. The mechanic who fixed it also told me that, having run the car a short distance from cold, you'll find that the top pipe to the radiator is unusually rigid as it'll also contain exhaust gases. Apparently, car dealers use this as a quick check on whether a trade-in Punto has a HG problem.

The cambelt change is scheduled in the manual for 72K miles, but really should be changed at 36k or 4 years, whichever comes first. Both Puntos bought into the Gromit household (2 year old 30k and 4 y.o. 36K) had their belts changed by the dealer before sale.

HTH,
- Gromit

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Fri 21 Apr 2006 12:17

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - GenevaJohn

Yes - it should be linear power, smooth, even if you change-up a touch too early in first and second. (it shouldn't be jerky, even if it's a bit hesistant)

And listen carefully for any gurgling noises behind the temperature control - if it gurgles, it's a airlock/gas in the coolant and it seems to be the cause of these head-gasket failures.

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Wed 19 Apr 2006 15:07

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - aaflyer

Phoned yesterday: £112 inc. vat for one year/10,000 mile service.

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Fri 21 Apr 2006 15:44

10,000 Mile Service Reasonable? Punto - prm72

Thanks for all your input, ill check it out.

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