Punto 2000 1.2 60 problems

[Superfly80]

Hello, I've just got myself a Punto 1.2 60 on a W plate and there are a few things wrong, not bad I hope!

1) Starting from cold, the engine usually misfires (not always), and although a burst of revs clears this, the idle is always quite lumpy. I've checked the HT leads and coil pack connectors and given them all a squirt of WD, but it still misfires and idles lumpily. I'm thinking new sparks and air filter, possible ECU, or could it be something else?

2) Yesterday, once the engine had thoroughly warmed up, the water temp needle started to rise to the max, and the warning light came on. This seemed to vary with driving conditions, high loads, low gears and revs seem to prevent or sort the problem, the needle drops almost immediately back to the mid-point, but sometimes the needle rose back up again very quickly too. I checked the coolant level, which was below the min level, and there was evidence of a leak from the header tank cap. I topped it up immediately with distilled water and glycol. Did a 140 mile round trip today. No new leak has occured as far as i can see, from either the cap, rad or hoses, but the level has dropped of the min marker again. There is no evidence yet as far as i can see of coolant in the oil, but i will keep a very close eye on this. I don't think there's a blockage, but i suppose there might be air in it. Not sure at all about the water temp meter, thought it might be a dodgy sensor, but my disappearing coolant makes me think otherwise.

Any Ideas?

[bubblebubble]

I dont want to bring the idea of bad news, but it does sound like it could be early signs of head gasket failure. keep an eye on the water and dont let it boil up or it may do damage. Does the heater work normally? sounds odd but often the heater will only blow cold as it gets air in it,due to the gasket.

[Superfly80]

Thanks Bubble!
Yep, pretty sure it's a slow leaking gasket, small amounts of creamy stuff formed in the oil filler cap, and large amounts of steam was coming out of the exhaust when I drove it today. Heater had been intermittent when all this happened in the past, so getting it sorted today, hopefully not much harm has been done, I didn't allow it to run hot for long, and the oil on the dip was clean. Regardless, I'll change the oil, oil filter, sparks and air filter too, and will see if it idles properly...

[Superfly80]

An update, if anyone is interested, pretty sure gasket leak is into a/the cylinders, steam in exhaust and coolant smelling of petrol confirms this; oil on dip remaining ok, small creamy deposits in filler cap due to poor breathing I hope (so I've been told). Air filter was in good nick, new sparks fitted, lumpy idle remains, aside from injector cleaner what should I be looking for..?