(G) 92 Uno Radiator burst, car overheated should I fix?

I just found this site today (out of desperation) and need to know what to tell the mechanic tomorrow. I'm in a foreign country (that doesn't speak English) and as far as I can figure the radiator needs replaced and through an interpretor it sounds like the thermostat. He said the brain of the engine. the test he ran to determine the brain being bad is turning the engine over with the radiator cap off and water shot up like a fountain. Ok to me that looks like the thermostat. Is there something else i don't know? The real kicker is he wants about 500 US dollars to fix. I think that is way too much anywhere. I can't even sell the car (before the problem) for more than 750 US dollars. Anyway it looks to me I just need to buy a radiator and stick it in then if the engine is not hurt and runs OK then change the thermostat. But is there something I don't know that he does?

Hi phewerd, Welcome to the Forum

That sounds expensive!

Can I ask which Uno your driving – its age and where you are – you never know there could be a friendly Fiat Forum member right around the corner

Are you loosing any water – what are the symptoms? If the engine was hot then water will always shoot out an open radiator cap as steam – Don’t check as the medical bill will out way the Uno Bill

Kind Regards,

I know the radiator is shot. I had it towed into a shop and the mechanic looked at it the next day. I'm in Israel and there are all kinds of Unos running around. Anyone you know? By the way I forgot to say my name is Paul.

Hi Paul,

Sorry to say I don't know of any Uno regulars in Israel.

kind regards,

It is a 1992 Uno 4dr with a 1000cc i believe although the title says 1200 but I don't think they made 1200 did they? It is gas. I was driving through the Jordan Valley and there must have been a leak and the radiator went dry but the light didn't come on. I heard the engine change sounds and stopped to check it out. Waited about one hour and filled the radiator with water and tried to get on home but didn't make it and this time called a tow. Left it parked by a shop that night and went back the next day to the "good" news.

thanks Paul

if water is shooting out the radiator when you are turning the engine over, it sounds more like the head gasket has gone. the cylinders are forcing pressure into the cooling system - which is forcing the water out the radiator.

Just for sake of my sanity am I wrong in thinking that someone is trying to get into my pocket. I would think that a radiator and thermostat would be less than $200 brand new.

Thanks for an idea of cost even in pounds.
Paul

I wished i could speak Hebrew so I could at least know for sure what he thinks cause I don't want the $500 to turn into more. If it is the head casket what kid of chance would there be that the block cracked?
Paul

The block should be ok, but head is an alloy which is easier to damage. If the head gasket has gone, it doesnt mean the head will be damaged as well - but if the car has run dry, and you've noticed the engine sound change then it does sound like the head may have been damaged. Normally, they just warp and can be taken to a machine shop where they will take an amount off the bottom of it so that it'll be flat again. They sometimes do crack though.

Like i said though, if its pushing the water out of the radiator then it doesn't sound good. What you need to have done is a compression test on the engine, it will tell you if any of the cylinders are leaking.

Thanks Arc and Louie Bee! I will have the compression checked and go from there. It sounds like the head casket repair isn't too difficult with a tork wrench and tough knuckles. I suppose that $500 wouldn't be bad for everything (mechanics have to make a living) but it is definitely too much if the casket and head are OK.

Thanks again I'll let you know what happens.

Paul