hi all,

im trying to fix the heating in my girlfriends fiat panda (on an m plate)...
im not savy with engines as im more a pc buff but im up for trying!!!
in fact i already have... i bleeded the radiator and that seemed to sort out the problem.... for 4 days!
meanwhile i purchased and fitted a new metal pipe (real tecky speak here!) that seemed to connect the radiator to the air filter as one i spotted was corroded and held on with TIN FOIL!!!
once fitted this worked for about 10 minutes and then AGAIN the heating went cold...:bang:
i have been told that it may be the theremostat - but again im no mechanic and there is no manual so i cant find it!?
please, please help. the cold winter days are getting colder and without heating its like a 2cv in there!!!!

has any1 had this problem? can you let me know what to do about it, pretty please?

Re: Newbie Help!!!

Hi and welcome I'd suggest posting this in the panda section but I'd get told off for advising double posting. but try searching the panda section for help. Also at some point a mod may move this thread so it get more results.

Re: Newbie Help!!!

Welcome, I've moved this to the Panda section so you will get maximum help. What sort of engine is in the car? It does sound like either the thermostat or an air blockage. The thermostat does go on FIRE engined Pandas, I replaced a thermostat on a 750 FIRE just last week, took about half an hour from start to finish and I'm no mechanic, so it's an easy job.

Edit, here's an old post of mine that may help if it's a 750cc or a 999cc FIRE engined car.

https://www.fiatforum.com/showpost.php?p=737385&postcount=48

first off, thank you steve and the beast for pointing me...

well.... let me just say that im no mechanic but im trying to fix the heating in my girlfriends panda (1000cc) on a m plate.

there are no leaks and all has been well till recent - im sure its nothing major?

ive tried bleeding the radiator and that sorted the problem for 4 days:bang:

im techy minded so im up for giving it a go:slayer:

ive been told it could be the thermostat but i cant see it and have not manual! - which doesnt help.

meanwhile i purchased and fitted a new metal pipe (real tecky speak here!) that seemed to connect the radiator to the air filter as one i spotted was corroded and held on with TIN FOIL!!!

once fitted this worked for about 10 minutes and then AGAIN the heating went cold...

please, please help. the cold winter days are getting colder and without heating its like a 2cv in there!!!!

has any1 had this problem? can you let me know what to do about it, pretty please?

I merged your second thread into the first one. We got a bit confused there.

Re: Newbie Help!!!

Steve said:

Welcome, I've moved this to the Panda section so you will get maximum help. What sort of engine is in the car? It does sound like either the thermostat or an air blockage. The thermostat does go on FIRE engined Pandas, I replaced a thermostat on a 750 FIRE just last week, took about half an hour from start to finish and I'm no mechanic, so it's an easy job.

Edit, here's an old post of mine that may help if it's a 750cc or a 999cc FIRE engined car.

https://www.fiatforum.com/showpost.php?p=737385&postcount=48

Click to expand...

its got a 1000cc engine - is that what you wnted to know?
cheers,
no tools

Steve said:

I merged your second thread into the first one. We got a bit confused there.

Click to expand...

no worries!

hi and thanks.... just thought id mention that originally it blew hot then cold, hot then cold, hot then cold.... x10! :bang:

at first i suspected a blokage of some sort but cant be sure....

It sounds more likely to be an air blockage. There are two bleeding points. The first is on the left top of the radiator as you look at the engine. The second is on the heater hose behind the air filter.

make sure that when refilling the coolant that the heater is switched to maxiumum heat. squeeze the bottom hoses once it has been topped up to shift the water around... perhaps dislodging a bubble.

the engine thermostat valve is just under the distributor (looks like a small bagpipes thingy), it's held on by two bolts and has a gasket... over time they can perish.

check for air bubbles first...

What consentration of coolant is in there? When the engine is warm do the hoses pressurise?

As a little starter, run the engine till warm then queeze the top hose a few times 10 or so and see if you are getting any heat through.

There are a few things that can cause as you describe, the first as Steve mentioned the thermostat blocked or open the results are the same but if blocked will start to overheat after 10-15 min running. Second the heater matrix valve can get blocked and only let a little warm coolant run through the heating system and as the matrix acts like a radiator cools very quickly esp in the current weather, third could be an air lock which squeezing the hoses should help, fourth if you only have water and not coolant the cooling system can corrode and little bits of rust will block the system. fifth could be the water pump but that's a last resort to look at. Sixth the control cable to the matrix valve could have broken.

Anyway good luck & welcome to the site.

hi had this a few times on pandas at work, the problem is usally an air lock as the others say, problem is the air lock is in the heater rad which is higher up than the bleed valve (if it has one some dont) . trick is to move the battery to one side but leave it connected so be carefull!! remove the sound deadner from around the heater then loosen the hose clip on the top heater hose. put the heater on hot and on the screen remove the hose and start the engine, hold the revs up a little and when the water starts to flow out of the heater rad put the hose back on. keep the revs up for a couple of miniutes and keep the radiator topped up nine times out of ten this will remove the airlock.

Hi Urchin so you remember this old trick I showed you:worship:

hi allen no i think i learned it in the 3 years at college or was it the 19 years as a mechanic? if you know any tricks about where to find nice women i would love to learn themh sent you a p m

urchin said:

if you know any tricks about where to find nice women i would love to learn them

Click to expand...

have you tried a convent...

thanks to all for your advice!

i will get on it as my missus returns and post the results - you lot are SO thanks again you guys!

:devil:

Tony M said:

have you tried a convent...

Click to expand...

no but if they drive fiats im up for it