1982 spider running hot past 190 degrees. Is this normal?

[page00]

My 1982 fiat spider runs hot past 190 degrees. I tried posting pics of my temp gauge while my car was running at 65 mph and then while my car was idling but the message board wouldn't let me post the pics, so I will try to explain. In both both cases while driving and idling my car usually runs at 195 and 200 degrees with every so often going back to 190. Is this normal and am I worrying for nothing? (The 1978 spider I used to have ran at 180 to 185 and would sometimes get just past 190 when the fan would kick on then cool car down to 185.)

Some background on the situation - I recently drained and refilled the collant adding the 1/8 inch hole in th stat to see if that would make the car run cooler, burbed the car as well. But it didn't help. The fan does come on around 200 degrees to somewhat cool the car down to 190. But she runs hot in my opinion. Also I do get a small amount of extrememly hot air coming from the floor vent even when the heater switch/handle is in the off position. Also the panel on the center consold right in front of the gear shifter and also by the ash tray are blazing hot. Is that normal and associated with my car running too hot? My heater valve moves freely and I do not have any coolant leaking. Could my heater core be causing the car to run hot and blow unwanted air through the floor vent because it may be clogged?

Any suggestios on why the car in my opinion runs hot? why am I getting hot air by my feet?, and why is the panel on the center console blazzing red hot? What is causing this and is this normal? Thanks Mark

[GeorgeT]

190 - 200 degrees is okay; I would start to worry over 210 or so. As far as heat from the lower vent, it's possible that the heater core shut-off valve is not closing all the way allowing hot coolant to circulate through the core. As far as the hot center console, it sounds as if the inner shifter boot is torn - this is an "easy fix and does not require removal of the console, just the wooden panel.

[4uall]

This made a huge difference for me with not only heat but also fumes.


Inner transmission/ shift boot by itzebtze, on Flickr

if you happen to take up the center console I would place this down over the hump as well.


EZ Cool by itzebtze, on Flickr

[Exit98]

I totally agree with George on all counts.

After re-doing my interior including heater core and valve I had a lot of heat from the heater. When I reconnected the cable at the valve I failed to fully close it. Easy fix. Adjust the cable to be sure the valve fully closes. Fiat heaters work good. Even if it is just slightly open you'll know it.

Since fully insulating my floor, paying particular attention to the center console area, I've eliminatied all the engine/transmission heat in the cockpit. As George says the inner boot needs to be sound. Insulating both the top and the underside of the removable plate around the shifter will do wonders.

190 to 200 degrees is fine. Mine runs less, but if the car stays in this range at all times, at speed and idle, and the fan works as it should you've got nothing to worry about.

I think you are relating two separate issues, and driving yourself nuts. Your cooling system is working fine. Work on stopping the heat in interior.

Here is a related post: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 30&t=18751

[ga.spyder]

My 82 runs at about 190 in warm weather,maybe a little less in cooler temps.The fan comes on about 210 at cools it back to 190.Given that the temp sender and guages are all a little different,I think your temps are pretty normal.The hot air issues are probably not related to the actual engine temps,and may be some of the other things suggested here

[Exit98]

Jay posted while I was working on mine.

RIght on Jay, great pictures. That'll do it.

[ga.spyder]

We must have all been typing at the same time

[4uall]

glad to see we are all working hard LOL

[page00]

Wow. Thanks everyone such quick responses and great information. I will try all your suggestions. Mark

[4uall]

http://wwwe.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopi ... g+solution