I have posted on this forum before checking whether anyone had similar issues with an overheating 1.7TD.

I love my FIAT and will not get rid of it. I just have this irritating overheating issue.

1. I have replaced the thermostat.
2. I have flushed the cooling system.
3. I have checked the hoses.
4. There is no water in the oil and vice versa.

The only thing I can think of now is that the water pump is at the end of its life span.

The car overheats on the freeway and when to take a long uphill. There are no leaks except for the water pushing out the reservoir.

When you drive and engage the heater, it also comes in intermittently. That is strange and I can only attribute that to the water pump not operating as it should.

I am no mechanic, far from it, just a FIAT owner/enthusiast.

Is there anyone that can advise me on this issue.

Kind regards



Hugo

There doesn't have to be oil in the coolant or vice versa for there to be a leaking cyl. head gasket, occasionally they can leak between a cylinder and a waterway. To check you could have a garage do a 'sniff test' on the radiator expansion bottle using an exhaust gas analyser probe in the space above the coolant with the engine running. There are also other ways to check incl. special fluids to mix with a sample of coolant etc. You could also do a 'coolant system pressure check' with the engine hot to check for any leaks, internal or external. Internal leaks can be from other areas other than the cylinder head gasket.

Water pumps don't usually have a life span, they can of course fail. What sometimes happens is the impeller (the bit that moves the coolant) can corrode away if metal or crack/break if plastic resulting in not being driven because it spins on the shaft, You'd have to remove the pump to check this. This might fit with your symptoms.

You might have a partially blocked radiator, do all parts of the radiator get hot when the engine is fully warmed up, You could carefully try feeling the rad. cooling fins but access is difficult?, maybe try spraying water on the radiator and see if any areas are slow to dry, indicating a blockage in that part.

I assume you don't have a faulty temp. gauge nor dragging brakes?

Please take care when doing any of the above checks on a hot cooling system!!!

No further thoughts at this time, let us know how you get on.

Al.

I had the car at the garage this morning. They informed me that the head gasket is leaking. This after I had it fixed in 2013 September. So unimpressed!!


Hugo

Thanks for the update.
Sorry for your troubles but at least you know now what the problem is and hopefully you'll soon be back on the road again.
While they're doing the head gasket, maybe renew the water pump along with the timing belt if you're unsure when the pump was last changed?

Regards,

Al.

Hi Al,

I am taking the car in tomorrow to a recommended technician. He also suggested that we check the block for cracks as well.

I will tell him to do the water pump, timing belt, hoses, radiator test, etc.

Hopefully when I get it back, I'll have a new engine for another 100K miles at least.

I'll be sure to post exactly what the problem was on this forum. Perhaps there is someone out there with a somewhat similar problem.

Thanks mate

Ciao


Hugo

Update...

The engine will be overhauled. The following was found:
- The head gasket had a small leak on the side which contributed to the air seeping into the cooling system. Thereby causing overheating when you get to an incline or take the open road.
- The water pump is also not functioning 100% which caused a problem with circulation under load.
- There was a blockage of some sort of silicone in the one pipe which also contributed to circulation issues.
- A small amount of sand was also found in the one pipe (cause/reason unknown at this stage).

I will post photos as and when I get them.

Verdict is (as explained) that the head and block be tested (pressure test) and if necessary cleaned and fixed.

Everything from the sump gasket to the top gasket will be replaced. Ouch if I think of the cost.

At least I will have a brand new engine when I get her back.


Hugo

Re : some sand being found in one of the pipes?

It used to be that sometimes some sand could remain behind in the cylinder block coolant jackets after the sand casting process, I'm not sure if this still applies with more modern engine casting techniques.

Al.

Another update....

Quote to repair the engine came to 3 800GBP (or 66 000ZAR)
New engine from the agents 2 200GBP (or 37 000ZAR)

I called around and found a 1.9 Multipla motor for 530GBP (or 9 000ZAR).

I checked the net and the "178 world car" did come out in a 1.9 diesel model.

My question is this: Will the Multipla motor fit into the 178 Siena body? I checked a couple of photos on the net and found a 1.9d Palio with the same engine bay.

Can anyone advise whether this is possible at all. Huge advantage with a bigger motor, but will it fit and how many modifications are necessary?

Regards

this is a picture of the Multipla motor.


Hugo

It will fit for sure, but it needs a skilled technician to do this job...
Remember, it's not only hardware, but a LOT of software ( sensors, ECU etc.) as well...

GBP 3800 sounds like a helluva lot to repair an engine that went in with a faulty head gasket?
Did the garage give you a breakdown of what they intended doing for this large sum of money?
I'd be getting quotes from other garages.
I'd also try to source another engine of the same kind i.e. 1.7TD in order to make it a straight swop over.

Al.

The 1,9 is a development from the 1,7, so, again it will fit without major problems.
In fact, it will be more powerfull and more reliable...

Thank you for all the replies. Yes Al, the GBP is way too expensive. Also realised the 1.9 swop will cost in the same region and the I am unsure about the quality of that engine.

So, whilst I was gone for so long, I found another engine rebuilder that will do a complete overhaul for about GBP1900. I have opted for that now.

The previous guy took the engine apart, hence the overhaul.

I will keep you all posted as we progress with the repairs.


Hugo

Ps: another engine is not an option. Tried getting one and the closest we found was a sub assembled new one from the agents for GBP2000. That excludes the pump and all the other fittings.


Hugo

Hugo, thanks for the update.

When I suggested getting another engine, I meant a good secondhand unit that wouldn't require any work and would fit right in without any problem although I realise you probably already thought of this but were unable to locate a suitable donor engine.

Glad to hear you got a more reasonable quote for the engine overhaul and hope you'll be back on the road soon.

Regards,

Al.

Hi Al,

Apology? I tried to source a donor engine, but the 1.7td is as scares as hen's teeth in this country.

After much searching, thinking and working out the best solution, I opted for the overhaul.

I will keep you all posted with some pictures and reports.

Thank you for all the feedback. Although I am far away from you all, it feels like I am actually a phone call away for help and advice.

Great to be on this forum. Hope I can contribute soon.


Hugo

We're all far away from each other, many Palio owners from India f.i.
It's a small world after all....


Btw, please post your next issues in the Palio section if you will, after all, a Siena is a Palio with trunk.

Hi Peter,

Will do. Need some help though. I am using the mobile app. Where would I find the Palio section?


Hugo

theonlynapsta said:

Hi Peter,

Will do. Need some help though. I am using the mobile app. Where would I find the Palio section?


Hugo

Click to expand...

Here:


https://www.fiatforum.com/palio/

Hi, it's been a while... I managed to have the engine redone and she goes like a bomb. I believe she's good for another 200 000 miles at least. Bit of tlc with Liqui Molly oil and keeping my hand on it..

I am now thinking of adding a small intercooler. Any suggestions? Is there a model I can transplant from?


Hugo