running so hot !

[geoff]

hi all
my 2.0L is running hot. I have fitted a refurbished radiator, changed the 'stat (twice), bled the system very carefully lots of times and I am using Evans waterless coolant.
I don't know what to do next.
A couple of questions ; If I use a thermometer, exactly where should I measure the temperature - and within what limits should it run at?
I used the car yesterday - a mildly hot day here in France and the fan was kicking in quite often. This is an ex Arizona car and so I know it can take very high ambient temperatures without any problems so I would welcome any ideas.

regards
geoff

[TX82FIAT]

Geoff, You said the fan was kicking on and off. that is actually a good sign indicating the car is cooling to shut the fan off and the fan is working. When you say running hot can you tell me what the temp is? I find the temperature guns the best for measuring heat because you can point them in various places across the cooling system and engine to see what the temperature is. Have you checked your water pump to ensure coolant flow? Is coolant expanding into your reserve tank and then being drawn back into the system.

[courtenay]

I thought I was running hot too, until I found out that the temperature sensor that "pegs" the needle was faulty. Once I disconnected the wire to this sensor (the one nearest the firewall in the centre of the top of your block) and subsequently replaced it, the temp gauge reads as it's supposed to.

[geoff]

Hi
yes all of the hoses are hot so fluid is being pumped through the radiator.
The gauage is showing 230°F (110°C) but I don't know if it is accurate so this is why I wanted to use a thermometer - but where to place it and what temp should I expect?
I don't know for sure if the engine is too hot but it smells hot.
I wonder if the water pump is working but not working well?

[narfire]

perhaps try this....take the rad cap off and let the car idle for 10 minutes or so. If you can get the front of the car up a bit, all the better( drive up on a couple of 2 X 6's). Push all the heater control levers forward as well.
Watch the heater gauge and look inside the top of the rad. As the temp climbs the thermostat should open and you should see the coolant flow from driver side to passenger side. At around 190 the fan should come on as well.
I made the mistake of after draining the rad for a water pump or something, I did not open the flow to the heater core and an air pocket was in the system. When that got to the thermostat, it got hot... I have now drilled a 1/8th" hole in the stat so if there is any air, it will flow through.

[toplessexpat]

I thought I was running hot too, until I found out that the temperature sensor that "pegs" the needle was faulty. Once I disconnected the wire to this sensor (the one nearest the firewall in the centre of the top of your block) and subsequently replaced it, the temp gauge reads as it's supposed to.

+1 on this .... Also - check the cables are on the right way around between the two sensors.

[geoff]

hi guys
firstly toplessexpat, it is strange - the wires from the temp switch at the bottom of the rad are BLACK/BLACK
and from the fan motor are BLACK/BLUE however the wires to power the fan are BLACK/BLACK and those to recieve the closure of the temp swit ch are BLACK/BLUE;
It is not possibe to put BLACK/BLUE to BLACK/BLUE and BLACK/BLACK to BLACK/BLACK because of the differing lengths of the cable. That is strange, however as there does not appear to be any relay in the circuit ( as there is in the FIAT 131 with the same engine)then is does not matter which way round the cables are.
And narfire, I tried what you said and yes, as soon as the thermo opened then I could see bubbles coming from the radiator and the coolant level reduced. I think this may be the problem solved but have not driven the car yet.
The fan came in at about 230°F;
I will let you know !
thanks all for your input
geoff

[garion]

Have you verified that the thermostat is oriented the correct way? It might be a good idea to post a picture so we can verify that.

[toplessexpat]

... And the later cars didn't have a relay on the fan.

[geoff]

thanks all for your help.
Everything seems fine now so I am sure it was the need to wait for the thermostat to open in order to bleed the system.
I did take great care to ensure that the 'stat was on the correct way round (I think I made that mistake once before!) and I took great care to bleed the system well - but clearly I forgot to wait for the 'stat to open.
So thanks all for your input.
geoff