Technical Radiator fluid temperature too high

[Fash03]

Hi

I have a Fiat 500 pop 2014. This week a warning light came on saying radiator fluid temperature too high. I’ve checked the coolant and the level is ok. But noticed a slight leak but not sure where it’s coming from.

Anyone able to help please?

Thanks

 

[PaulMcgrath]

See my post below (small water leak gearbox side of engine) doesn’t look a million miles away from the thermostat housing, my daughters was a very slight weep that i noticed whilst changing the top mounts and drop links last week it was moments away from a total failure!!

 

[John202020]

Welcome, is it a 1.2? on the right of the engine is that where the leak is above the gear box, basically on the end of the engine? not far from the battery?
Don't drive the car if this comes up again until fixed its critical the engine has the correct cooling, are you sure the water level is correct? Did the warning come up whilst in slow traffic or after a faster run then stopped at the lights say?
Does your car have AC and if yes was it on or off?

 

[jrkitching]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There are a number of possible causes, ranging from sensor failure through a coolant leak to radiator fan failure - we've seen all of these here. You'll have to do a bit more digging to pinpoint the cause.

But whatever it is, I'd strongly advise you not to drive the car again until it's properly repaired. The 1.2 is basically a strong and reliable engine, but its achilles heel is that it will quickly destroy itself if run when low on coolant. Folks often report blown head gaskets after cooling system problems; the gasket has been known to fail before the overheat is sufficient to put the warning light on.

One telltale sign is gurgling/swoosing noises behind the dash; another is unselected loss of heater output. If either of these ever happens whilst you're driving, stop as soon as you safely can, check the coolant level (take care as it will be hot) and do not drive any further until you are certain there is sufficient liquid in the cooling system.

@baglady knows all about what happens if you continue to drive with insufficient coolant.

 

[Fash03]

See my post below (small water leak gearbox side of engine) doesn’t look a million miles away from the thermostat housing, my daughters was a very slight weep that i noticed whilst changing the top mounts and drop links last week it was moments away from a total failure!!

Thank you for getting back to me! This was very helpful. I’m going to get my dad to look at it today as I’m useless with cars. Thanks

 

[Fash03]

Welcome, is it a 1.2? on the right of the engine is that where the leak is above the gear box, basically on the end of the engine? not far from the battery?
Don't drive the car if this comes up again until fixed its critical the engine has the correct cooling, are you sure the water level is correct? Did the warning come up whilst in slow traffic or after a faster run then stopped at the lights say?
Does your car have AC and if yes was it on or off?

Hi John, yes it’s a 1.2. I topped the coolant up on Tuesday and yesterday it was below the minimum line. I commute an hour to work so when I was nearly home it flashed up when I started to slow down.
No my car doesn’t have AC but the heaters blow warm air, then cold air after a 30 min drive which isn’t right. Also when I start my car a swooshing water noise I can hear behind the bonnet and when I turn off the ignition it makes a weird noise like it’s trying to cool down. My dad is going to have a look at it today as I haven’t got a clue about cars! Thank you for replying back to me.

 

[Fash03]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There are a number of possible causes, ranging from sensor failure through a coolant leak to radiator fan failure - we've seen all of these here. You'll have to do a bit more digging to pinpoint the cause.

But whatever it is, I'd strongly advise you not to drive the car again until it's properly repaired. The 1.2 is basically a strong and reliable engine, but its achilles heel is that it will quickly destroy itself if run when low on coolant. Folks often report blown head gaskets after cooling system problems; the gasket has been known to fail before the overheat is sufficient to put the warning light on.

One telltale sign is gurgling/swoosing noises behind the dash; another is unselected loss of heater output. If either of these ever happens whilst you're driving, stop as soon as you safely can, check the coolant level (take care as it will be hot) and do not drive any further until you are certain there is sufficient liquid in the cooling system.

Thank you for getting back to me! yes it makes a swooshing noise behind the dash and i have been getting loss of heat after 30mins of being in the car, the heater suddenly turns cold. My dad seem to think i need a new thermostat and gasket. He'll have a look at it today. Thanks again

 

[Baglady1990]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There are a number of possible causes, ranging from sensor failure through a coolant leak to radiator fan failure - we've seen all of these here. You'll have to do a bit more digging to pinpoint the cause.

But whatever it is, I'd strongly advise you not to drive the car again until it's properly repaired. The 1.2 is basically a strong and reliable engine, but its achilles heel is that it will quickly destroy itself if run when low on coolant. Folks often report blown head gaskets after cooling system problems; the gasket has been known to fail before the overheat is sufficient to put the warning light on.

One telltale sign is gurgling/swoosing noises behind the dash; another is unselected loss of heater output. If either of these ever happens whilst you're driving, stop as soon as you safely can, check the coolant level (take care as it will be hot) and do not drive any further until you are certain there is sufficient liquid in the cooling system.

@baglady knows all about what happens if you continue to drive with insufficient coolant.

I sure do!!!!! And all because I did not know the warning signs!! As JR says DO NOT. Drive the car until you find the issue ... if you do you you will likely destroy your engine & trust me you don’t want that!

 

[Fash03]

Update so my dads changed the thermostat and the car is now in limp mode. Does anyone know why this is?

 

[John202020]

Oh I hate it when a job seems to make things worse(happens all too often), is the engine light on, on the dash?
The most probable cause is disturbing some wiring in the process of replacing it check any plugs near where you were working or cables, whilst in limp mode is the temp now correct assuming its got hot enough?

 

[Fash03]

Oh I hate it when a job seems to make things worse(happens all too often), is the engine light on, on the dash?
The most probable cause is disturbing some wiring in the process of replacing it check any plugs near where you were working or cables, whilst in limp mode is the temp now correct assuming its got hot enough?

Hi John

My dad is going to check this! Thanks

On the thermostat the plastic had snapped off, not sure if this has been like this for a while and caused further problems.

My dad also said brown water was coming out the air vent.

He’s taking it tomorrow to a garage to plug it in see what the problem is. Hopefully it’s not something big.

Thanks for getting back to me

 

[jrkitching]

The most probable cause is disturbing some wiring in the process of replacing it check any plugs near where you were working or cables

:yeahthat:

Get your Dad to recheck every connecton he disturbed when changing the thermostat - there's quite a lot of wiring in the vicinity.

If you have a new problem after doing a job, 99% of the time it's something you moved, changed or knocked whilst doing it.

 

[typecastboy]

The gushing noise you can here will be air in the system. The broken plastic pipe would let air in so the gushing is the air and coolant going round the heater matrix. The system needs purging of air. As the air leaves the space is replaced with coolant which will make your coolant level drop.

 

[Baglady1990]

The gushing noise you can here will be air in the system. The broken plastic pipe would let air in so the gushing is the air and coolant going round the heater matrix. The system needs purging of air. As the air leaves the space is replaced with coolant which will make your coolant level drop.

After my coolant loss experience.... I am really paranoid ? it’s been a year now and I still check my engine most days!
Once bitten....

 

[John202020]

This is the bleed valve to purge air from the heater system be VERY gentle with the screw top.

 

[Fash03]

Hi

My dad has purged air from the heater system, thanks for this.

We ran a car diagnostic test and the following codes came back
C1221-86
P0110
We’ve googled the top two but the last 3 codes we can’t find online, so might have to run another diagnostic test.
903318
010514
010162

 

[Fash03]

Car is also still in limp mode

 

[Al D]

typecastboy any further thoughts?!

 

[Fash03]

Has anyone had this problem changing the thermostat car goes into limp mode?

 

[John202020]

This may or may not help but could give a few clues like poor earth connections( by being disturbed say) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMD8nQ3o7b4
Or spark plug issues? or intake temp