97 Brava 1.6 ELX Temperature problem

[DAz]

Hi All,

I have bought the above car, first timer and I have a problem with the Engine Temperature.

If the car is at standstill and the engine running the Temperature gauge shows Halfway and nice hot air comes out of the internal heating vents.

The problem arises when I am moving, doesn't seem to matter whether I'm driving at 30 or 80mph. The temperature gauge quickly starts to drop and the internal heating becomes cool (slightly warm)it stays like this unless I stop and idle and the temperature and heating return to normal and then set off again, its also quick to reduce temerature as well, my idle at tickover on rev counter is just below first line. Another thing to note is my Tickover can be lumpy, as I've just got the car I have no idea when it was serviced last so that may be the problem with lumpy tickover.

Would really appreciate any help and I'm skint and I'm worried I have been ripped off. Thanks

 

[Sven]

Sounds like the termostat is faulty. Not an expencive fix.

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[DAz]

Thanks I'll have a look, any idea where I can get a cheap one online, is there any instructions on this site on how to change it?

 

[Buzz]

Its really quite easy. Its the thermostat for sure. its jammed open. its possible you could take it off and free it up, but if you cant, you then have to put it back together with a thermostat you KNOW is faulty.

Look at the side of your engine block. you'll see about 5 black coolant pipes coming and going between the radiator and engine etc, via the part in the pic below. thats what you need. Its not an expensive fix, its about £37 delivered from www.shop4parts.co.uk

most engines have cheaper thermostats, u're unlucky that it costs so much for a 1.6 though (a 1.2 one would be about £12 delivered, the jammy gits)

While your at it, you may as well renew your engine coolant. If you have a haynes, its all in there. If not, bump this post once your new thermostat arrives, and someone will give you a guide.
buy a whole bunch of new jubilee clips before you start. get a range of sizes. i estimated what i needed, bought exactly that, and then found that 2 of them were 1mm too tight on their loosest settnig, so had to walk 3 miles to a petrol station to buy more the correct size. now i keep a mixed bag of spares in the garage, lol

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4
Owner of the Bravo 1.8

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[DAz]

Many Thanks!

Hi all, many thanks for your help, as you said it was the thermostat.

DAz

Fiat Brava 1.6 ELX P Reg 1997
Metallic Red