Hi everyone. I'm in California with a 1970 Fiat 500L and I can drive for 1-2 miles and then it cuts off and won't start again for 45 minutes or so but keeps repeating this vicious cycle (possibly overheating is my assumption). I noticed that there is not a thermostat in the location of other classic Fiat 500s that I have seen (between the oil cap and the distributor). Do these models come with a thermostat and/or is it in another location in the engine compartment? There is nothing like driving a nice clean vintage Fiat 500 and breaking down while everyone is staring at you and the car cause the car attracts attention! Please help -- thanks team!

CW

Is the airbox there? Can you attach a picture? I don't know that it's directly causing your shutdown issue, but proper running temp is a good place to start. And despite what some may advise, you can "over" cool an engine. Yes on an air-cooled engine in a hot environment it will likely run wide open anyway, but as temperatures cool it's important that it lets the engine warm up properly. A thermostat is there to keep things in the right range. It's definitely not as critical as a water cooled engine where the fluid needs to have time to absorb heat from the block.

Sounds like you might have a few potential issues. You could be overheating, but the engine will most likely give you signs such as low oil pressure issues/light. Ive seen this then when i had a air duct flap stick close due to someones shotty thermostat removal.

Im going to take a gander you either have a fueling issue, or an ignition issue, more then likely a bad ignition condenser, or coil. Especially as it seems it is temperature dependent. Again these all are various symptoms, but these engines are relatively simple, and if your handy it shouldn't be hard to track down.

If it dies, bring a spare new plug, and see if you still have spark when it decides to break down. Obviously you might need a helper to start while your in the back checking it out.
Dont try to remove/install plugs from a hot aluminum head.
If you do have spark, and it wont start. Try some starter fluid and see if it will fire. If it does, you have a fueling issue. Time to clean the carbs.

seagoin2 said:

Hi everyone. I'm in California with a 1970 Fiat 500L and I can drive for 1-2 miles and then it cuts off and won't start again for 45 minutes or so but keeps repeating this vicious cycle (possibly overheating is my assumption). I noticed that there is not a thermostat in the location of other classic Fiat 500s that I have seen (between the oil cap and the distributor). Do these models come with a thermostat and/or is it in another location in the engine compartment? There is nothing like driving a nice clean vintage Fiat 500 and breaking down while everyone is staring at you and the car cause the car attracts attention! Please help -- thanks team!

CW

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Hi CW, you may have a problem with the condenser breaking down when hot. If the points are set exactly you should have a good spark at the plug - try taking the distributor cap off and with a screwdriver gently prise the points apart with the ignition on and a plug out, if the spark is weak when hot change the condensor for a "good quality" item ????
ian.

Unless I have missd it, you don't seem to have said which ignition system you have on your car---is it 'points' or 'electronic'. If it is 'electronic' the fault could be with the actual unit itself---they do NOT like heat! If you have 'points' try a new condenser---for the small cost that they are, it would at least eliminate that possible cause. I always advocate the use of the "Swiftune" competition condenser; they are made for competioin use to a high quality, I would be surprised if they do not have an oulet in the States.
If you DO have no thermostat flap, that could be a contributary factor as it would mean that the hot 'engine-cooling' air is being blown over the distributor all the time. Your syptom of the engine only running until it is hot, and then you having to wait until it cools before it will start again, would lead me to think that the fault IS electrical.