1999 Fiat Punto Overheating and Jerking

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WAYNE_130
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Just with in the last week I've started having promblems. I've been for a 15 minute drive being realy carefull, slow driving no sudden accelleration and the water termperature is just below red. The water in the tank isn't clear, it is a bit discouled as well.

When I accelerate it feels like it isn't pulling away like it should, it's jurking a lot almost as if it's wanting to stall and it's not repsonding like it usually does.

I have a feeling something may be blocked, but can anyone help???
thanks
Mar 31, 2006 at 11:30 PM
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LOSONE
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What is the year and mileage on the car? It sounds like the typical Fiat probem, a bad radiator and perhaps a T-stat. Does it have an electrical cooling fan? Jerking Please explain. Good luck
Apr 1, 2006 at 12:40 AM
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WAYNE_130
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It's 1999 51,000 miles on the clock. There's no electrics on this car, it's a Fiat punto 60s 5 door.

Basically you can set off in 1st gear and put your foot down, the car will just stutter. Like there's no power getting to the car, it just feels not very responsive at all. The engine is sounding alot more louder and rattles more than normal.
Hope that helps a bit more.
I've been told to drain and re-fill the water tank, to solve the other problem. Hopefully this will help
Apr 1, 2006 at 1:59 AM
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LOSONE
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I know that car well. It was the basis for the Yugo. Before you drain the water tank drain the oil and see if you have any water in the oil. I suspect a cracked head on the worst case. I hope not but it matches the symptoms. Take the plugs out and turn the engine over and see if you see any water--Good Luck
Apr 1, 2006 at 2:17 AM

Suggested Repair

Before draining the coolant, drain the oil and check for water in it. A cracked cylinder head is a possible worst-case cause matching the overheating, discolored coolant, weak response, and rattling. Remove the spark plugs and crank the engine to see if water is expelled. A failing radiator or thermostat is also a typical cooling concern on this Fiat.

Conversation Summary

A 1999 Fiat Punto 60S with about 51,000 miles runs just below the red temperature mark after a short careful drive, has discolored coolant, and stutters or jerks under acceleration with poor response and a louder, rattlier engine. The owner had been told to drain and refill the coolant. The expert noted a bad radiator or thermostat as a typical Fiat issue and advised checking the oil for water and cranking the engine with the plugs removed to look for water, suspecting a cracked head in the worst case.

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