Overheating Solution

[4uall]

I had been plagued (as many of us have or will be) with overheating issues. I replaced my external t stat, checked all my hoses, the rad had already been re-cored, water pump had already been replaced, two rad flushes etc etc etc. I noticed that there was limited flow of coolant from the engine to the t bar. My worst fears were that there was a blockage inside the engine. Then a friend of mine came to my rescue. Through process of elimination and some common sense we found an INTERNAL thermostat that was stuck closed thus impeding the flow of coolant. Removed the internal that does not belong as I have an external T stat.


Why she was overheating by itzebtze, on Flickr

Then on level ground with no jacking or use of ramps etc (that's right, you read correctly) I simply followed the instructions below. Three fan cycles later and a long drive with never going over 190F problem solved.


Bleeding a Fiat Spider by itzebtze, on Flickr

[81SPIDERMATT]

came across this thread doing some research.... no problems just trying to know my car..recently upgraded cooling system... would like to know that i am finished and can move on to other things. is there really another thermostat under that outlet housing...not doubting 4uall... well i guess i am a little....is it original or some previous owner bandaid that went bad.....curious that this is the only thread i have found it on... Matt

[4uall]

hey Matt, my understanding is that this year did not have an internal t stat however, the space is still there to put one in (in error) which is what the p.o. or someone did.

[RRoller123]

I have read of this happening as well. Might as well check it. Not too difficult.

[81SPIDERMATT]

I have read of this happening as well. Might as well check it. Not too difficult.

any gaskets involved?

[RRoller123]

I am not an expert at where these internal TStats can be located. If they are up front at the coolant T, then there is a gasket involved, but you can make gaskets easily from the material at AutoZone, etc, and all the usual vendors here carry them too.

[Fiat88]

Happened to me. Couldn't figure out why my engine overheating so easily. All good now!

[redspider8066]

Thanks for all of your input. I will give it a shot tonight.
Redspider8066

[htchevyii]

It seems that most problems can be traced back to dumb PO's. These cars really aren't that difficult to understand, but I guess there are lots of silly people out there. I bought my '78 from a "mechanic" that has actually worked at a local shop for several years. I remember it driving around town and backfiring. After I bought it, I realized the spring was missing beneath the rotor, letting it move all over and the mechanical advance didn't work at all. It runs great now!

[johnp4419]

'78 Spider and am undergoing a current and similar issue.
I investigated non functioning rad fan and found faulty rad fan switch.
I replaced the rad fan switch at the bottom of the radiator. Refilled and obviously did a half-a**'d job of bleeding the system. When I redrained the rad to start over from scratch I noticed the lower half of the rads fluid was cold and top half very hot.
Could this be an air lock in the rad? Crud in the rad? Prior to the fan switch all ran well.
Any assistance would be appreciated.

[4uall]

I am by no means an expert (those that are i am sure will chime in) however, I would flush the rad. Remove the drain plug and temp sensor and let the rad fluid drain safely in a container, then get a hose and run water through it (no pressure nozzle just free flow) and see what comes out.

http://www.wikihow.com/Flush-a-Radiator

[jlw35]

I took my '75 spider radiator to the local shop in town. He kept it for a week, soaking it and flushing it repeatedly.
Also soldered two minor leaks that I had not noticed. Bottom line, solved my problem, plenty of 'crud' in there that
a home flush will not solve. Total cost was $65
Jeff

[4uall]

Jeff wins i never know what people's budget or resources are so i try and go safe and simple Do what jeff said and it will save a lot of grief and time

[Fiatlanta]

Is there any kind of cleaning solution or something that would make home cleaning more effective?

[4uall]

I don't understand your question