Fiat Punto Heater

[Biccylova]

I have a three and a half year old fiat punto, this is my first winter with it and am finding the heater takes a long time to start giving out any heat, maybe fifteen to twenty minutes into a journey it will start to work, is this something that punto's are known for, or is it a fault that can be put right?

[Buenchico]

Have you checked the coolant level? If there's insufficient coolant your car's heater will be very inefficient.

[chiaroscuro]

It sounds as if the radiator thermostat is stuck open

[Electrochem]

Is it petrol or diesel? Diesel cars usually take longer to get to optimum temperature. You may also be one of those people who expect the heater to work as soon as it's turned on. Until the engine has warmed up, there is little point in putting on.

[Biccylova]

Its a diesel, and I do know it takes some time to warm up, but twenty minutes seems a bit much, after all its not that cold yet.

[bhg481]

It's almost certainly the radiator thermostat (as chiaoscuro suggested). They are designed to fail in the "open" position as failing in the "closed" position would result in the engine overheating. It's a imple, cheap job to change it. Incidentally, I run a diesel (not a Fiat) but it runs warm within a couple of miles.

[CluckyChick]

P A R K I N G E Y E... I don't know why it chances the name to "paid" whenever I post!

[CluckyChick]

Oops, sorry, ignore about comment - wrong thread!

[Biccylova]

Thanks for your help everyone, I must get that fixed before we get any cold weather.