Thermostat vs. Fan

[ozmington]

Once again, thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Don't know what I'd do without this forum!

Car has always kept great temp control, perfect at 192. This weekend, I changed the intake manifold gasket. All is well on that end but of course I lost some coolant. I bled the coolant system per several different instructions and I believe I've done all I can there.

Here's where I'm at now: Temp gauge working fine ( or seems to be) Fan NEVER kicks on AND lower hose at t-stat stays cool. It's a Behr T. If the problem is still air in the line, shouldn't the fan at least still kick on? Also, is this one of those situations where I'd be best served with the t-stat hole drilling trick?? The t-stat didn't sit for very long because the project only took a few hours, can't imagine it got stuck all of a sudden.

Thoughts??

[courtenay]

If the lower hose is cool, then the t stat is closed and the water is not circulating through the radiator. The temperature sensor that turns the fan on is at the bottom of the radiator, and if the water down there is cool, then it won't come on. You still have air in the system. You need to burp again, or drill a hole in the t stat.

[narfire]

Yeup, burp again or install the "T" fitting in the heater hose at the firewall. The burp can take 5-10 minutes for all the air to get out. Raise the front of the car a bit by driving onto ramps, park on a steep hill, or jack front up then open the rad cap and start the engine. The air will burp out over time and when you peer into the top of the rad and see the coolant flowing, you then know the t-stat is open and all is good. Remember to open the heater inside the car as well, that will/could have air in it as well and as soon as you open the heater, you could have a slug of air bung the system up again.
About a one unit of instalation fluid evolution
Chris

[ozmington]

While I was waiting for your speedy responses, I tested (boiled) the thermostat. Probably should have been more persistent about drilling the hole but the drill just kept slipping around and then there was cursing and throwing of things... sometimes, it's best just to walk away.

Anyway, I didn't know about the heater suggestion and now I understand what triggers the fan so, thank you both.

Temperature outside in humid Georgia is about 200 degrees so I will wait til this evening and park it on my neighbors steep driveway and try again.

Thanks.

Stand by for carb synching questions........next on the agenda.

[TX82FIAT]

Drilling that hole in the Tstat can be a pain in the rear. I used a dremmel and wedged the stat on a clamp. slow and steady and it seams like it kinda burns through rather than drills through. I'm thinking i did not have the right drill bit for the job or it is a finicky metal. Also, I'm sure your read to fill the botton hose under the T-stat and then after filling the system you can stick a flathead srew driver between the t-stat and bottom hoe to temporarily let a little air out that way as well. Good luck.

It has been a little hot in Texas lately 102 and humid, the car has been getting up to about 195-198 when sitting at a traffic light. If is funny how on a hot day at a traffic light all spider owners are doing the same thing.... looking at the temp gauge just in case.

[ozmington]

Update:
Houston, we have lift off!

After much burping, opening the heater, and most importantly, putting it up on ramps and then another final fill, the fan kicked on like clockwork. If I have need to take off the t-stat again, I'll probably drill it.

Now for those carbs..................

[4uall]

this worked for me however, I have seen & heard many different solutions that work.

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... on#p151863

[tmooretxk]

The thermostat is easier to drill if you use a center punch or nail to ding the flange first; then the drill bit can bite better.

[bran100]

Go to Autozone and buy one of these radiator flush Ts for less than $10. It takes all of about 5 minutes to cut the heater hose, install the T, and burp here, the highest point in the system. They have different sizes of Ts. I don't remember which one for the Fiat.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... 39286_0_0_