Fiat overheats

[redspider8066]

I have a 1980 Fiat 2000 that started to overheat. I replaced the fan switch thinking that was the problem, but the fan still does not come on to cool it down. I ran a hard wire to the fan contacts and the fan ran. Any ideas what to try next?
Any help would be appreciated.
Redspider8066

[RRoller123]

Burp it to be sure that there is no air trapped in the system. That would cause overheating.

[narfire]

If you don't have the "T" connection on the heater hose, raise the front of the car a bit (drive onto sloped blocks for example) and take the rad cap off. Start the car and let it idle . Eventually it will get hot enough the thermostat should open and then the water pump will circulate the coolant and chase the air out. You'll see "burps" out the rad and after it has stopped burping, you'll see the coolant flowing nicely in the rad. MAKE sure the heater controls are all forward I think it was, as air could be trapped in the heater core as well.
Once the colant is flowing , turn off, top up and should be good to go. Once the temp sensor at the bottom of the rad picks up the hot coolant, the fan should kick on.
Chris

[4uall]

This might help http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... on#p151872

[124JOE]

some people drill a 1/8 hole in the disk in the thermostat
then fill it once every 2hrs untill full

[bagodonuts]

yay! burping tips worked for me. my next check was going to be for 2nd thermostat incorrectly installed on the head...as i recently had the motor rebuilt. now i have to figure our the phantom drain on the battery.