Hot on Top Cool on the Bottom

[srwilson]

Hey Guys,

I'm sure this has been covered a hundred times, but if the Top hoses coming out of the "T"are hot the Temp gauge is showing Hot and the Bottom Hose going back into the Radiator is cool does that mean the thermostat is sticking?

TIA!
-Steve

[131]

Yep, usually. Is this happening when standing still or while driving? Does the temp stay high or go down when you've got air flow through the radiator?

[So Cal Mark]

it means the thermostat is not open, not that it's sticking. Bleed the air from the cooling system

[srwilson]

Yep, usually. Is this happening when standing still or while driving? Does the temp stay high or go down when you've got air flow through the radiator?

While standing still.

[narfire]

does that mean the thermostat is sticking?

As Mark said...yeup it is.
If you don't have the "T" installed at the heater hose, time to raise the front of the car and take the rad cap off, start the car and watch it burp. When you think the burping has stopped, look in the rad and you should see the coolant flowing. T-stat is open now. fan should kick in around 190 on your temp gauge.
This was about 10 minutes to burp my car last time.
Chris

[srwilson]

it means the thermostat is not open, not that it's sticking. Bleed the air from the cooling system

I just got this car so I know very little about it. I knew the water pump was leaking when I got it and Radiator was leaking too.
So I just changed out the Radiator and Water Pump.

I've read up on "burping" methods and this is what I've done this so far.
Raise the front of car and opened the heater valve
Filled the Rad as far as possible while squeezing all the hoses then replace the cap
Removed the right side hose from the "T" and filled it as much as possible.
Removed the water line to the Choke and filled it until it ran out the other side and replace

Is there anything I missed?

[narfire]

Is there anything I missed?

Yes, I'd run the car with the rad cap off to make sure no air is in the system. Good you had the heater on.

[srwilson]

Is there anything I missed?

Yes, I'd run the car with the rad cap off to make sure no air is in the system. Good you had the heater on.

Thanks Chris, I'll give that a try tomorrow.

I think the thermostat was working before because I could feel heat though the heater and defrost. Would that be a sign that the thermostat was working previously?

Today, when it was overheating, no heat coming from the heater.

[4uall]

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... verheating

works every single time

can be done solo

no need to raise car

no need for fill adapter etc

good luck, everyone has a different method that works for them

[srwilson]

Whew... Finally! I think loosing the hose that runs between the rad and the T-stat at the T-stat did the trick. I stuck a screwdriver between the two and let the air out there. Then I raised the front of the car as high as I dared and was able to put a bit more water in. Started it up and all was well.

Thanks for all the help!

[4uall]

Nice

[srwilson]

Nice

You know I looked at your post and I couldn't find a throttle plate heater on my car. I guess not all cars have that.

Thanks again!!

[4uall]

Me neither



Anytime

[narfire]

a previous owner took the brass heater pack off. That engine is an 80,or the intake is anyway, the 81's had a bolt on heater.