Overheating

[JConnerly]

I have been having a intermittent problem with overheating on my 1981 FI. Just got the car 500 miles ago and according to the po the radiator was just rebuilt and a new fan switch installed. Checked fluid levels, checked connections (once), checked fuses. Finally let it sit and idle and watched for the fan to come on, it didn't. After reading a few postings on the board, I decided the first thing to do was check the electrical connections again. I pulled all the connectors for the switch and fan motor and cleaned them up with some sandpaper. After reconnecting and allowing it to come up to temperature again at idle and surprise, the fan comes on and the temp is staying right around 190. Sometimes it's the simple solutions that trip us up.

[Exit98]

Ain't it great when a problem gets fixed?

[JConnerly]

It would be nice once in a while if I was as smart as I think I am. Just when I thought I had my cooling problems fixed they started again. It seemed to occur more during cooler weather, so on the hot day that we worked on the fan connections it worked fine, then the next day it cooled off and it began overheating again. After much research and finally calling our local Fiat mechanic, he suggested that we try bleeding the cooling system. Perhaps the po hadn't done it right. We spent an hour with it up on a ramp, slowly pouring coolant in as directed and low and behold it worked! the past two days of driving it around town have been great! No overheating even when sitting for extended periods idling.
Today was another example when changing the spark plugs and forgot to connect number 3 and wondered why it was running on 3 cylinders. Took everything apart again, regapped and reconnected everything and now it is running great again. So much fun to be had owning a Spider.

[dmwhiteoak]

It would be nice once in a while if I was as smart as I think I am. Just when I thought I had my cooling problems fixed they started again. It seemed to occur more during cooler weather, so on the hot day that we worked on the fan connections it worked fine, then the next day it cooled off and it began overheating again. After much research and finally calling our local Fiat mechanic, he suggested that we try bleeding the cooling system. Perhaps the po hadn't done it right. We spent an hour with it up on a ramp, slowly pouring coolant in as directed and low and behold it worked! the past two days of driving it around town have been great! No overheating even when sitting for extended periods idling.
Today was another example when changing the spark plugs and forgot to connect number 3 and wondered why it was running on 3 cylinders. Took everything apart again, regapped and reconnected everything and now it is running great again. So much fun to be had owning a Spider.

I totaly agree with your last statement, AINT IT FUN!!!!