General Need Help With 76 Fiat 131S

[fiat131s]

Hey,

I recently fixed my exhaust manifold leak and replaced
the gasket and now it doesn't leak smoke. But now I have
encountered a new problem, when I was driving the car it
started to get pretty hot like 3/4 of the temp gauge.
Then eventually the car wouldnt start when parked and I let it
cool down and was able to start it. Then after a while
I was driving and the car just died on me (while driving) and wouldnt
start. After trying to start it for a while, it would
stop cranking and nothing would happen when I turned
the key. The next day I was able to start it again and
it then it died again and wouldn't start.

I checked the timing and it was advanced and I tried
setting it back to TDC but now its not starting.

I have a 76 Fiat 131S with a distributor from a 79-81
Fiat Spider (Electronic Ignition). Got the distributor a while back from a pick N pull junk yard place.

I'm thinking the problem is ignition related, maybe the magnetic pickup or the electronic module has gone bad?

Any Ideas?
Thanks

 

[fiatfactory]

It sounds like it might be the ignition... although that doesn't explain the getting hot part...

probably the reluctor and lead, I have had these fail after removing and refitting the distributor... as the lead (exposed to the heat from the exhaust manifold) gets brittle, and all it takes is to fracture some wires internally, the resistance goes up, and the ignition stops...

Under bonnet heat issues usually point to the module though .... simple check is start the car and blow heated air (wifes hairdryer works well) across the module and if the ignition falters then that's your problem...

SteveC

 

[fiat131s]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I heard that if the timing is advanced it could cause over heating issues.

One more thing I changed the stock electric fan to an aftermarket fan. Since the fan was not coming on anymore. So I basically disconnected the stock fan and installed a seperate thermostat to control the after market fan.

I left the stock sensor in the radiator and its currently not connected to anything. Does the Fiat rely on information from the stock sensor that turns on the fan?

Thanks

 

[sumplug]

I think you have a breathing problem maybe on the engine. this can cause the car to overheat too. try running with no airfilter and breather pipe removed from block.
Other poss is your plug leads are breaking down or your distributor is under heat soak.
Engine retard will make engine overheat, not advance. Is the timing advancing as it should when you accelerate. If not, this can cause problems.
Another poss is the engine is pressurising due to wear and this will stop the engine dead. Again a blocked breather??
Is the cooling working ok? Again if the engine overheats, it will cause high compression causing the engine to stop.

Andy.

 

[fiat131s]

Hey,

Update: Well it turns out that ignition module was bad and I replaced it with a new one. Everything works fine now.

Thanks