Cooling problem

[Jimbo]

Just purchased a 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 and so far I like the car. I do have one (what I'm hoping is a) minor problem. I took the car out for a ride, switched the heating controls, and noticed coolant coming into the cabin. Right now, I'm thinking it's either a bad heating control valve or a bad heater core - either is fixable. What I don't know, is how the piping into the cabin works. I have two hoses going in (I'm assuming one is intake and the other is out going) and then there's something of a mystery. I do not know if I'm missing a hose or if it's just a legacy port (see photo - the port is right next to the tank). If I am missing a hose - where the heck does it go?

Thanks in advance....

P.S. If I am missing a hose - would this be the reason why it is running hot?

[narfire]

Heater issues.. right up there with electrical
Sounds like your heater core or hope just the valve,is pooched. The valve is easy to swap out,core a bit more of an issue but do-able. From your photo,I pick up the two hoses for the heater and the vacume hose for the dist. but can't really tell much more. There is a small diameter hose that runs from the heater pipe(a small nipple below the heater conection) around the back of the engine to the intake plenum water jacket. The tank is your overflow for the rad. There will be a hose from there to the rad fill tube.
Did we see pics of your car
If the car is running hot,I'd guess there is air in the system somewhere and after you have the heater sorted you will have to jack the front of the car up and let the rad "burp" the air out, or many will put a garden "T" in the hose that goes from the block to the heater and fill there. If you have air in the system,the thermostat shuts down and won't work till all the air is out. Some drill a small hole in the thermostat to help any air pass..see IAP tech bulletin on this issue.
Have fun
Chris

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the tip, and I guessed about the "burping" part. If I turn the heat off (all three levers on the console in the up position) will that prevent coolant from getting in until I get the valve replaced?

And not yet, it's a bit to cold here in Va., to take photos....

[azruss]

the only control that shuts water off to the heater is the middle lever. (marked with the red triangle). it needs to be up to shut off water to the heaters. (point of triangle indicates"off"). the heater valves are very prone to leaking. there are 2 styles and only one is still available. if you have the wrong one, you will have fab work on your hands. the valve is visible from the PS floorboard. you should be able to see if it is leaking.

[Jimbo]

For now, I've bypassed the heater core and how have the coolant routed directlly into the engine. For now the issue of leaking coolant has been solved, but, the issue of over heating is still there. I went ahead and swapped out the thermostat and I think I properly burped it (but I'm not really sure). The motor will run fine for a while, pause briefly at the 190 degree mark, and head directly for the redline. I think the water pump is new or at least newer. Is this a simple matter of still having air in the system or is something else wrong?

[So Cal Mark]

probably still has air. Is the lower hose getting warm? Are you sure you put the thermostat in properly?

[Jimbo]

A half hour after running, the top hose was still hot and the bottom hose was cold. Near the fan sensor, there's a bolt - I removed the bolt, let it run for a while, and hot Prestone spewed from the hole.

I'd like to say, I have the whole thing plummed in right.......I'd like to but I'm not sure I do

[narfire]

If you think the thermostat is in correct, I'd get the front of the car up on some ramps or stands and run the engine with the rad cap off and let it burp for awhile. Place a container underneith as the burps can get violent,but after 5 minutes or so the air will pass and hopefully you'll see the coolant moving when you look in the rad cap.
The bottom hose should be warm then and the fan will kick on or should as the warm coolant will be at the bottom of the rad at the sensor.

[TulsaSpider]

That bolt is the radiator drain.

[So Cal Mark]

resize the photo so the t-stat is visible.

[Jimbo]

Okay, let me track down a photo editor and see what I can do.

If it helps (for now) the valve is facing the lower raditor hose.

[Jimbo]

[courtenay]

I'm waiting for my new t-stat to arrive, but I'm told that if you blow into each of the three openings on the t-stat, the one that is "blocked" - i.e. won't let air through - is the one that connects to the lower rad hose.

[Jimbo]

Did some plumbing and got rid of that @#($#@& t-stat - life is good.