General Overheating issue

[Sigourney]

Hello, I was wondering if I can get some help please before I loose my head.
Fiat 500 2013
Error message "excessive radiator fluid temp" after around 5/10 minutes of driving. Drops right down if I put the heating on and put the windows down (if I am unable to pull over)
Thermostat was changed around 12 months ago, coolant level is fine and isn't dropping (so no sign of a leak) fan kicks in as normal. Has been checked for airlocks.
Any other ideas please.
Thank you.

 

[Sigourney]

That's a common complaint..

Shine a torch down the outside..

You will see the fluid, and where it stops

Oh really, not just me then haha. It thought the bottle was just dirty.

 

[AnthonyH]

I won't be driving the car now until my new thermostat arrives. Haven't really known what the problem was and what problems it can cause the car. But now I have an idea of what it is thanks to all that have helped I won't be driving it now until iv tried all the suggested things. Fingers crossed I haven't caused more damage.

With a bit of luck the new thermostat fixes the problem. Its a good chance, so fingers crossed. Either way keep us updated!

 

[Sigourney]

With a bit of luck the new thermostat fixes the problem. Its a good chance, so fingers crossed. Either way keep us updated!

I will! Thank you

 

[Baglady1990]

Good grief! An overheating 500 is not to be taken lightly!
Insain amount of heat when popping the bonet!!! You’re not only risking a blown head gasket but it’s also a potential fire risk … let alone things melting under the hood
I would be seriously investigating this and asking questions like….
When was the cam belt & water pump changed
New radiator
Obviously the thermostat
But more importantly how long have you been driving with an overheating engine

 

[Sigourney]

Good grief! An overheating 500 is not to be taken lightly!
Insain amount of heat when popping the bonet!!! You’re not only risking a blown head gasket but it’s also a potential fire risk … let alone things melting under the hood
I would be seriously investigating this and asking questions like….
When was the cam belt & water pump changed
New radiator
Obviously the thermostat
But more importantly how long have you been driving with an overheating engine

Yes, no fun at all is it. Nothing has melted (from what I can see) so all good there. Radiator flush and thermostat replacement is first on my list, and then I'll be looking at water pump and radiators. Just a few days, but I have said previously that if I turned the heating on the temperature drops right down, not ideal I know but a single parent without a car is tough

 

[Baglady1990]

Yes, no fun at all is it. Nothing has melted (from what I can see) so all good there. Radiator flush and thermostat replacement is first on my list, and then I'll be looking at water pump and radiators. Just a few days, but I have said previously that if I turned the heating on the temperature drops right down, not ideal I know but a single parent without a car is tough

It’s crap! I know I’ve been there!! Turning the heat on does help reduce the engine heat … I am hoping it’s the thermostat but like I have said I would be looking at all the parts of the cooling system.. if you have no leaks (coolant) it could be just a blockage… it’s just what damage has the blockage already caused!

Please keep us updated.. it’s very important to help the entire 500 community

 

[John202020]

Yes, no fun at all is it. Nothing has melted (from what I can see) so all good there. Radiator flush and thermostat replacement is first on my list, and then I'll be looking at water pump and radiators. Just a few days, but I have said previously that if I turned the heating on the temperature drops right down, not ideal I know but a single parent without a car is tough

Just get the new stat, and 5l of Halfords ready mixed pink antifreeze and you'll be all good, note if flushing the quick connector is hard to remove you'll have bruised and bloody hands, drain "place" connector back on, brim rad, pull off, gush out, repeat several times, slowly fill system when finally replacing.
If your bleed valve has a screw driver slot use this to turn, if not be extremely gentle with it.
New rad which I don't expect you'll need £60, did ours last Oct

 

[Sigourney]

Hello, I was wondering if I can get some help please before I loose my head.
Fiat 500 2013
Error message "excessive radiator fluid temp" after around 5/10 minutes of driving. Drops right down if I put the heating on and put the windows down (if I am unable to pull over)
Thermostat was changed around 12 months ago, coolant level is fine and isn't dropping (so no sign of a leak) fan kicks in as normal. Has been checked for airlocks.
Any other ideas please.
Thank you.

UPDATE
She's back on the road
New thermostat did the trick. Thank you very much to everyone that took the time to read my post and send me a reply.

 

[AnthonyH]

UPDATE
She's back on the road
New thermostat did the trick. Thank you very much to everyone that took the time to read my post and send me a reply.

Yay, happy days!