Crazy cooling system

[Randolph Spiteri]

I have a FIAT Brava 1.6 16v 1996.

Cooling system is driving me crazy.

1. Engine takes about 5 or 6 miles of driving for the temperature mark to go to the middle mark.

2. Once heated up, temperature stays slightly lower than midway between the half-mark & the red zone (which I beleive is slightly high)

3. Fan switches on and off regularly but when on only keeps on for about 10 secs.

4. Coolant level dropping dramatically (it goes from max to min in a single day and goes below min 3 days after topping up)

5. Fan Thermoswitch changed recently & checked for leaks in pipes etc. No leaks found.

I understand that a thermostat stuck on could explain the long warm-up time but I can't explain the rest..

Any ideas ??

Randolph Spiteri
Maltal

 

[cynic-al]

have you had a compression test done or checked for oil in the water to see if the head gasket has gone?

 

[Tom]

Does the level continue to drop?

Max is the level the water will be at when the engine is warm and up to pressure. If you top it up to max when cold it will simply spit the extra water out and the level with 'drop'.

It should be at MIN when cold.

 

[LightWarrior]

for reference, my 1.4 stays exactly at the halfway mark, and takes about a mile and a half to get to that temp..

 

[Anonymous]

for ref : mine a 1.6 stays at half way mark. take about 800 yards to get to temp.

Smee

 

[Anonymous]

My HGT gets to half and stays there, takes about 45-60 seconds to get to temp...(surely distance isnt a good comparison )

Daz

 

[Cynic-al]

surly it depends on ambient temp, speed your driving, variation it temp gauge, volume of water, air pressure, variation in water where you live, so neither are a good measure? lol sorry lads

 

[SchumaniaC]

My stats will drive you crazy.

My 1.6 never warms up in winter. Max temp rises to 1/4 of the temp gauge after giving it a good rev and never anywhere near half...and our winter in Malta is never colder then 10 degrees.

So what the heck is wrong?

.
.
.
.......ONE SPORT ONE LEGEND ONE SCHUEY..........

............X....X....X....X.....X....X.....X.................

.............................7 TIMES............................

 

[Tom]

Your thermostat is shot.

 

[Anonymous]

Your new name suits you well...lol

Daz

 

[Randolph Spiteri]

Stats

Well it takes me about 15 to 20 mins to get to work. And the engine just begins to arrive at the half way mark when I get to work. All this in the blazing August sun - temp around 32 Celsius in the Shade !!

well, I do understand that my thermostat is gone. But in that case does it play a part in my overheating problem too ??

 

[Randolph Spiteri]

Stats

It's glad to have someone actually respond from Malta

Dear SchumaniaC,

Do you own a bravo or a brava (1.6) ??

And what about your temperature in summer ??

And how long does it take for the temp. to begin rising ??
Mine takes about 10 minutes of driving (traffic or not doesn;t really matter) for the needle to even THINK of moving !!

Regards,

Randolph

 

[Randolph Spiteri]

Gasket

No, haven't had a compression test.

But if it was the gasket there would be water in the engine as well and the colour of oil would change slightly no ?

At least that's what someone told me..

And I think if a gasket is faulty there would be other symptoms as well..

Today I found a leak in a hose pipe which strangely enough isn't always present. I guess it closes and opens with temperature and pressure. Anyway I'm fixing that as well but it doesn't solve my problems really which are:

1. Engine taking a lot of time to get to temperature
2. Once warmed up, temp passes half way mark by quite a bit and tends to stay there.
3. Fan is ok

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE ENORMOUS HELP GUYS. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD FIND SUCH SUPPORT IN THIS FORUM !!

Randolph

 

[SchumaniaC]

Re: Stats

Randolph, mine is a Bravo 1.6 16v 1996. You probably recognize my silver blue Bravo by its distinctive Michael Schumacher signature...err i mean badge on the rear.

Its been that way since day one. To get the baby a little horny/hot you need to kick its arse real bad. Its a nuisance especially in winter when you want some warm air in your footwell and all you get is freezing air.

I probably have Schueys cooling system in my Fiat without knowing!! lol

.
.
.
.......ONE SPORT ONE LEGEND ONE SCHUEY..........

............X....X....X....X.....X....X.....X.................

.............................7 TIMES............................