81 fiat overheats

[ethandf06]

my car overheats pretty fast i can go about a mile before it gets in the red zone on the gauge. Think its the thermostat? and if it is where is it on my year car and what does it look like? I think i have an idea but am not sure. your help is greatly appreciated.

also any idea where to get new weather stripping? I need all of it.

[BEEK]

the thermostat is the 3 way junction in the radiator hoses on the passenger side of the engine. you problem could be air in the system as well, if you have not " burped" it. remove the radiator cap, remove the brass plug in the t junction of the upper radiator hoses, located on the front center of the timing cover, pour coolant into the radiator until th coolant comes out of the hole. then while coolant is still running out of the hole, replace the brass plug, make sure you do not over tighten it, the housing is easily stripped. if this doesnt fix the problem . check the thermostat, after running for 5min +/- the lower hose should get warm, if the car is reading overheat and the lower hos is still cold, then the thermostat is bad.note, everytime you remove the radiator cap you will need to bleed the system.

[Europa]

Here's a picture of the thermostat (and a link to the thread).

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... tat#p44325

[billstyer]

I came up with a bleeding method that works first time, every time, for me. I leave the radiator cap on. I disconnect the hose to the thermostat at the tee, loosen up the clamp at the thermostat, and turn the hose upward (hat tip to Bradley Artigue) I pour coolant into the hose, until coolant starts to come out of the tee, then reconnect the hose, and tighten both clamps. Here is where I do things a little different: I fill the overflow tank, and then take out the plug in the tee. I connect my vacuum pump with the brake bleeder cup in line, to the unplugged hole (I use the suction cup attachment). Now I just start pumping. At first, I get a little dribble of coolant, but mostly air. I can hear the air bubbling around in the system, as it works its way upward - to the vacuum. When I get about 5 inches of vacuum, I start to get straight coolant into the cup. Now it is drawing it back from the overflow tank, like it would if it were cooling off. Viola! It's actually easier to do than to describe, but it's quick, easy, and reliable for me.

[tcrooks]

I have a 1980 Spider 2000 with fuel injection (Bosch L-Jetronic). My factory manual provides instructions to purge the cooling system. Open heater valve. Remove radiator cap and fill radiator with coolant; replace radiator cap. Remove radiator hose from T-housing on the thermostat side. Pour coolant into the hose until coolant flows from the open T-housing port; replace hose on T-housing and tighten clamp. Disconnect T-housing sensor lead. Remove 17 mm brass blead plug from T-housing. Pour collant into T-housing until full, replace 17 mm brass plug (don't over-tighten and strip housing); replace sensor lead. Disconnect hose from throttle plate heater; pour coolant into hose until it overflows from the throttle plate heater.

Test system, start engine and let idle until it heats. If you've properly purged the system it will heat up slowly. As the heat passes through the operatng temperature range the the thermatic switch should start electric fan. Allow this to occurr for at least two fan operating cycles. If the system is not bled, guage will rise rapdily, radiator will be cool, and fan will not operate even though temperature is above normal. If this occurs, shut engine off and bleed system agian.

When water in the radiator is 194 defree F or above, the termatic switch closes and the electric fan operates. The fan continues to run until the temperature drops below 185 degrees F. Cooling fan can opoerate with ignition switch in "OFF"

[flopez]

I have the same problem I have a fiat spider 1981 overheats I change the thermostat the water pump i Flush the radiator but I still the same problem the only thing it takes longer to overheat any suggestions

[So Cal Mark]

are you sure the thermostat is installed properly? Was the radiator rodded out or merely flushed with water?

[brunorahl]

Since you didn't notice the thermostat, I assume it's been there a long time. If you've changed nothing else recently, then you're guess is probably correct. Drop in a new thermostat, the closed port when cold, goes to the lower radiator hose. For proper bleeding of the system, Fiat figured out that the car needs to be at a 30% incline to get the radiator cap high enough. Or what most of us have done, put a coolant flush T into the heater hose and fill from there. Be sure to squeeze the lower hose to burp the system.

Don't remove the brass plug in the water neck T if you can keep from it. That's just another place to develop a leak.

You can get new weatherstripping from Vick's. I did. Works well.

[flopez]

Het guys thanks for you help but after a week I figure it out thanks to you picture europa and so cal mark and every one who comment the thermostat was installed backwards I put it the right way And add using billstyer method it work for a day but yesterday it happen again right now i just to figure it out and star all over again