Technical Yet another question on engine coolant temperature

[Loreto]

Good morning and sorry for yet another question on engine coolant, but since I totally new to Uno's, I would like some info on the correct running temperature.

Below is a pic of the highest the cars reached in heavy traffic (the gauge needle) on a day with temperatures in the mid 20's C.

When the car's being driven around town, the temperature hovers around mid point and a bit below, and in regular city traffic and on slower speed side streets, occasionally reaches the red line I've marked on the picture. The fan seems to work correctly kicking in around the marked red line for a couple of minutes, and there's no indications of the engine overheating (loss of power, steam, high temp odor, etc).

The mileage is correct to the car, and I know that at 150,000 klm the head gasket was replaced and the head itself was milled. Also there doesn't seem to be any indication of gasket failure (mayo in the oil, loss of coolant, etc).

The only info I have on the car is from the previous owner (a friend), who said that the temp seems a bit high since he was last using the car. Also please note that the car was unused for a year, and stayed pretty much parked with the occasional starting of the engine to check and see if it turned over.

Car: 1993 Fiat Uno 1.1ie Cat, pretty much stock except for a free flowing exhaust (cat was not removed).

 

[unomad93]

My uno fire sits at there when it's warmed up.

And as you said the car was sitting for a long time. Have you changed the oil in it. Always an idea

 

[Loreto]

My uno fire sits at there when it's warmed up.
And as you said the car was sitting for a long time. Have you changed the oil in it. Always an idea

Before I starting using it, I changed the oil (Synthetic 10-40W), oil filter, air filter, fuel filter along with a new fuel tank (the old one had a small leak), and am about to change the distributor cap and rotor. The coolant was also topped up with slightly less than 300 ml (water).

Since the car was not used for such a long time, should I go ahead and change the entire coolant supply? And if yes, what type of coolant should I use (for mild Mediterranean winters with really warm summers)?

 

[unomad93]

My fuel tank leaks too. Where did you pick a new one up from? And with the coolant, Depends where your from. I'm in the uk so at the moment I'm using lots of anti freeze. if yours has plenty of coolant and not just water I'm sure it will be fine. But for the price you'll pay for new coolant (not a lot) it's more them worth it to give it a change.

Also how are your tires looking. When mine was sat for 6 months the tyres took a hammering. But that's mainly to do with the random wether changes over here.

 

[Loreto]

My fuel tank leaks too. Where did you pick a new one up from? And with the coolant, Depends where your from. I'm in the uk so at the moment I'm using lots of anti freeze. if yours has plenty of coolant and not just water I'm sure it will be fine. But for the price you'll pay for new coolant (not a lot) it's more them worth it to give it a change.

Also how are your tires looking. When mine was sat for 6 months the tyres took a hammering. But that's mainly to do with the random wether changes over here.

It was impossible to find a tank for the 1.1ie here in Greece, and the official FIAT dealership quoted a €600 price for importing an original from the factory, so after some internet searching, I found and order the following:

Fuel Tank Injection FIAT UNO 146A/E 1.0,1.1,1.4,1.5 1984-93: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Arrived quickly, installed without a hitch and so far (1 month after), everything's looking fine. The mechanic which installed the tank told me that the tank was top notch quality, and even the pump seal was above average quality.

As for the coolant, I can't be 100% sure of how the anti-freeze-to-water ratio is, and to be honest I would prefer to just flush the system and refill with correct type, quantity and ratio (need this info guys!).

Thankfully the tires, although sitting for a better part of a year seem absolutely fine, and when I took the car for a front/rear end check/calibration at a tire shop, the guys there told me that they seems fine and that I shouldn't change them just yet.

 

[unomad93]

Your coolant to water mix is climate specific really. The best place to get an answer is the previous owner or your local garage.

 

[johorridoh]

The ideal temperature for an engine is above 100 °C .
That´s why the system is pressurised .That keeps the coolant from boiling.
The coolant must we changed every two years. The special coolant liquid
keeps the engine from corroding inside.
If it hasn´t been changed for a long time clean it with a special cooling system cleaner before adding new coolant.