Overheating 1971 Fiat 124

[dbm3359]

My situation is this. Taxes are due and I have done all I can afford to do right now.

I have been driving to work M-F about 30 miles highway one way. I had radiator problems. Problem 1. A previous owner installed a new radiator. Modified neck - just caps with a relief on the cap - does not connect to overflow/intake tank. By the time I get to work, steam is coming through the hood. 2. I may have had a leak in the radiator and someone used stop a leak. I had a clog at the thermostat about the size of a golf ball at the thermostat of some yellow goo.

I have to replace about a 1/2 gallon of coolant every day. I installed a fan switch wired to the battery. The fan turns off as soon as I start the car, regardless if it is overheating or cool. Does the fan come on only after turning off the car? I replaced the radiator fan switch and the thermostat. I felt the bottom of the radiator and it is cool. I know I may have an air bubble. Can't flush it right now or afford to replace the radiator (tax time). Can someone give me an idea what to do - just short of public transportation.

Thanks

[So Cal Mark]

bleeding the air from the system doesn't cost anything, but the yellow goo indicates a possible blown head gasket. Is there water in the oil? The first step would be to determine if the system holds pressure, if not the leak has to be repaired

[vandor]

> Modified neck - just caps with a relief on the cap - does not connect to overflow/intake tank.

So there is no provision for an overflow? I don't think it will ever work that way: when the system gets hot it pushes coolant out, but when it cools without an oveflow it can only suck air back in. So you will always have air in the system after the first cooldown.

Old cars used to not have an overflow (my '72 non-Fiat doesn't), but the top of the radiator was higher than the engine, so the air stayed there.