Injector light + over heating, aargggggghhhh

[Dan]

Hi,
My Fiat Bravo 1.4 sx has always had the fuel injector light come on at some point. I tried cleaner fluid in the tank without any luck.

Recently my car began squeaking, upon investigation I noticed the engine oil was low, so I topped it up and the squeaking stopped for a while. I've also noticed another problem recently, overheating.

I've checked the fan, fuses and cables, which all seem to work. Possibly the temperature sensitive fan switch may be faulty as it only seems to activate in boiling water just from the kettle (i removed it and used electrical testers).

After speaking to a mechanic, I removed the thermostat, which only seems to make the problem worse. The fan still won't activate when temp is 75%.

Any help would be much appreciated

 

[Anonymous]

Never ever ever ever ever remove the thermostat. Its there for a very good reason.

Sounds like the temperature switch for the fan is faulty, just get a new one.

Only way to solve the problem of the injector light coming on is to go to Fiat and get them to read the fault codes. The light means something is actually really wrong (duff sensors, duff injectors etc..) and no amount of cleaner can fix that.

 

[dan]

Re: Re: Injector light + over heating, aargggggghhhh

-----------------------------------------------

Hi,

Do you why after about 8 mins of running the car at even 30mph the temp is nearly on the red?

When I stopped to have a look, I undone the radiator filler cap, water coming out of the cap is cold, despite the hose coming from the engine to the top of the radiator being hot and pressurised.

On the side of the thermostat housing there is a temperature sensor unit, but when I tested for continuity it's contacts are permenantly on and when I heated the unit up it's still in the on position. Do you know if this is the norm?

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Re: Injector light + over heating, aargggggghhhh

The tank by the radiator with the cap on is the expansion tank. The water in there takes a while to heat up.

The sensor on the side of the thermostat housing is a resistive one, its resistance changes with temperature so a continuity check will show it as always on. Look in the haynes manual for the correct values.

It sounds like you have a BIG problem if it only take a short bit of driving to make the temp go that high. Have you made sure there are no air locks in the cooling system? Does the heater work?

If I were you I'd take it to a garage ASAP and get it sorted as you could do alot of damage if it overheats too far.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Injector light + over heating, aargggggghhhh

There could be a blockage within the water route. You might want to put a running water hose into your radiator bottle and slowly rev the engine. You also might want to use a big plastic bag to cover your belt and timing belt area. Make sure you use a tape to scure it to avoid taggling with the moving belt. This method will wash your radiator system faster.

Also check your grounding to make sure electrical componets working well.

Thanks,

 

[Nick]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Injector light + over heating, aargggggghhhh

It sounds like your rad is blocked. Could have collapsed internally, or there could be an airlock somewhere. If an airlock, this could be the symptoms of a blown head gasket.

Feel the radiator al over when the car says its overheating (turn engine off first!)

If its cold in parts, then water is not circulating.

(If its warm in the main, then it could be that the gauge is faulty)

The you need to decide if its an airlock or a mechanical blockage.

Air can be bled from a bleed screw, normally at the highest point of the system, possibly on the thermostat housing, although you will need other advice or the Haynes manual to identify it on your particular car.

If no air comes out, then get the rad flow tested at a garage. This will tell you if the rad is blocked.

If not then the problem is more complicated (Water pump not pumping?)

If the water in the rad is a strange colour, then this is an indication that the head gasket has gone, and can be tested at a garage.

If your car is actually overheating then be very careful about driving it. The gauge only measures temperature at one point. If there is no flow, it could be much hotter elsewhere and causing big damage eg warped head (voice of experience).

Hope that helps

Nick

 

[judge judy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Injector light + over heating, aargggggghhhh

don't quote me on this but i tend to agree that an air block will cause the engine to heat up very quickly and is the probable cause.

Depending on where it is i would advise getting the whole system pressurised to blow out the air/hard block, i had one on my old 1.4s and no matter how long i left it to drain, squeezed the pipes and bled air out the vents on the pipes i couldn't move it.


Also overheating you engine is the fastest way to f*#@ it up after running it with no oil, so GET IT FIX ASAP by someone who knows what they are doing.

I also had a temp sensor go on it which gave me real shitty MPG, no hot air from the heater and caused the injector lights to come on (may be related).

cheers

judy judy