What temperature????

[Dianespider]

When I first got my 77 Spider, it had been garaged for 8 years. We replaced the hoses, belts, water pump, thermostat and had the radiator cleaned out. It still seems to heat up very quickly to 190 degrees and over 7 or so miles will creep up close to 210 or so. What could it be????? its not puking out water and oil pressure never drops lower than 30 pounds at idle and holds steady 55 pounds at 60 mph.

[Kent124]

Is the fan going on? Sounds like the fan switch needs replaced.
http://www.autoricambi.us/cgi/commerce.cgi

[2ndwind]

Frequently, after refilling the system, there is an air bubble trapped in the system. There are numerous posts on this. I have found jacking the front of the car up in the front as high as possible with radiator cold and open seems to do the trick. Also read all the other posts in the archives too. Not to ignore Kent's post, check that your fan is coming on somewhere just over the 190 mark.

[spidernut]

210 is way too high. It should run about 180 degrees or so (depending upon the thermostat). The electronic fan should kick on about 190-195ish.

[Dianespider]

Will try the jacking up front of the car.... Fan is wired to come on with the switch so it runs all the time. Did not think of an air pocket tho....had same problem with a Triumph TR7 a few years ago. Also, the previous owner was attempting to install A/C on the car, there is a condenser in front of the radiator, I am going to pull it off tomorrow and see if this helps.. Thanks......

[rlux4]

You can avoid jacking up the car by adding a coolant T in the heater hose at the firewall. It goes into the hose that loops from the firewall to the head, being the highest part of the cooling system. Don't forget to open the heater valve so the entire system can be purged of air.
You can see it in this picture

You can find these at any auto parts store, they're called a flushing T
Another thing that works is to drill a small (1/8" or so) hole in the stat so that trapped air in the bottom radiator hose can be pushed up and out.

Ron

[4uall]

I agree with Ron however, I was able to completely resolve my overheating issues doing the following on level ground

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... =5&t=16398

[dmwhiteoak]

I have both,the flushing T and also the small hole drilled into the stat. Before the additions I also was also dealing with the same isues that you are . Simple fix.

[spidernut]

Good idea...dump the condenser! With the fan running all the time, you really shouldn't be running hotter than 190 at any time. The first few times I tried purging the cooling system of air, I forgot to open the heater valve...good catch Ron!

I never had luck filling my system from the heater hose T. Here's what consistently has worked for me:

1. Warm up motor to full operating temperature with the heater valve open
2. Turn off the motor
3. Relieve coolant system pressure at the radiator cap
4. Remove the bleed screw (see picture below)
5. Back fill they system using a funnel

This has worked for me even when the car was level.

[Dianespider]

OK NEED HELP..... Did all the tricks mentioned below and still gets hot.......I have burped, shook, lifted, changed coolant, took off A/C condenser, rewired fan to come on with the ignition switch, drilled a hole in Thermostat disc and still climbs to 210 plus within just a few miles....... I would spend the $600 bucks for an aluminum 2 core but at this point I am afraid that would only keep it cool a few more miles.............

[courtenay]

Maybe the gauge is faulty. You don't have to spend $600 for a rad. Allison's has a rad, fan and control kit for $360 ish. Do a topic search on "radiator install"

[rlux4]

You could check the gauge accuracy with an IR (infared) thermometer. They're cheap. Point and shoot and it gives you true temp readings.
Ron

[Dianespider]

Thanks Guys, did the Infrared thing and the gauge is correct, I pretty much knew that tho since at around 225 it starts bubbling back into the puke tank...... not sure a new radiator will fix this........ really frustrated right now and ready to sell and count my losses and move to good old reliable American made iron.............. I only paid $2400 for the car and have spent a little over $400 on it so maybe I can at least break even. pitty tho, really neat looking cars, just ain't worth much if I cannot drive it.

[sptcoupe]

I've had a number of engines that would run between 190 and 215, and never had an issue with them. If the fan comes on and the temp holds, you are doing fine. The coupe's current engine will get to 210 in traffic and while I am stopped, but runs around 190-195 when cruising. Have driven it a bunch and never had an issue. My 1981 nearly stock FI engine will quickly get to 210 whenever I am sitting or moving slowly, but the fan comes on and it holds just fine all day, and will drop when I am cruising. Had it in a St Patty's Day parade a few years back. 90 degrees, and it was at 210 for nearly 2 hours, but never over heated.

You may be chasing a problem that isn't a problem. Drive it and watch the gauge to see if it gets past 210. My guess is it won't.

[spidernut]

Is your thermostat installed the right direction? Many people have had this problem when the thermostat was installed incorrectly.