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.

 

[Greasytrucker]

If it’s a 2013 and still has the original radiator could it be a partly blocked or just inefficient radiator? Could the outside of the radiator be clogged with mud or debris not allowing it to do it’s job? Could possibly be a weak or failing water pump?

 

[Sigourney]

Pretty sure it's the original radiator, nothing visibly blocking the radiator from the outside, but I have wondered if maybe there is a blockage or 'sludge' inside the radiator if thats a thing. Could definitely try changing the water pump.
Thank you.

 

[Greasytrucker]

Pretty sure it's the original radiator, nothing visibly blocking the radiator from the outside, but I have wondered if maybe there is a blockage or 'sludge' inside the radiator if thats a thing. Could definitely try changing the water pump.
Thank you.

You could try a coolant system flush before trying anything extreme. Cheapest option

 

[Sigourney]

You could try a coolant system flush before trying anything extreme. Cheapest option

Is this something that I (my dad haha) could do, or is a garage required?
Thank you

 

[Greasytrucker]

Is this something that I (my dad haha) could do, or is a garage required?
Thank you

Halfords do a couple of different options in bottles. Normally just a case of draining coolant, refilling the system with flush and following the instructions, then drain the system again and refill with new coolant

 

[RalphM]

May be worth changing the thermostat again wont be the first to die shortly after being fitted.

 

[Sigourney]

Halfords do a couple of different options in bottles. Normally just a case of draining coolant, refilling the system with flush and following the instructions, then drain the system again and refill with new coolant

That's great, thank you for your help.

 

[Sigourney]

May be worth changing the thermostat again wont be the first to die shortly after being fitted.

This is quite a cheap job as well isn't it, so won't harm in changing it again. Thank you.

 

[steveras57]

Is the temp gauge reading high along with the error message?

 

[Sigourney]

Is the temp gauge reading high along with the error message?

Yes almost instantly it's at half way on the temp reading, and within 10 minutes of driving the temp is at the top of the gauge and that's when the error message comes up on the screen.

 

[steveras57]

Got to say to me that sounds very like a partly blocked radiator not enough flowing to cool properly, hence the fast rise to halfway then straight up to the top its like being cooled by 2 pints of fluid rather than eight! id go down a double flush and new coolant but considering how little they cost may as well put a new thermostat on at the same time see what happens! hopefully it will cure it but if not its a new water pump and possibly a radiator!, whist thats being done it would be a false economy not to do the cam belt at the same time! if the work has to be done at a garage its about the only time id say its better to get a Fiat dealer to do it as a lot of smaller garages often get it wrong causing further issues!.

 

[John202020]

Replace the thermostat , pretty sure its bust, had a stuck shut one once( brand new) took some time to work out, how hot is the heater? The Mazda, has had 4 thermostats

 

[steveras57]

Replace the thermostat , pretty sure its bust, had a stuck shut one once( brand new) took some time to work out, how hot is the heater? The Mazda, has had 4 thermostats

Agreed that that would provide similar symptoms!

 

[John202020]

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This one not the cheaper one that STILL has a plastic outlet

Actually go for this one

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Sigourney]

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This one not the cheaper one that STILL has a plastic outlet

Actually go for this one

Pardon our interruption...

Thank you for that, cheaper than the one I had been looking at from euro car parts actually.

 

[Sigourney]

Replace the thermostat , pretty sure its bust, had a stuck shut one once( brand new) took some time to work out, how hot is the heater? The Mazda, has had 4 thermostats

It doesn't actually have the temperature, it's just a gauge similar to a petrol gauge, but it does go all the way to the top.

 

[Sigourney]

Got to say to me that sounds very like a partly blocked radiator not enough flowing to cool properly, hence the fast rise to halfway then straight up to the top its like being cooled by 2 pints of fluid rather than eight! id go down a double flush and new coolant but considering how little they cost may as well put a new thermostat on at the same time see what happens! hopefully it will cure it but if not its a new water pump and possibly a radiator!, whist thats being done it would be a false economy not to do the cam belt at the same time! if the work has to be done at a garage its about the only time id say its better to get a Fiat dealer to do it as a lot of smaller garages often get it wrong causing further issues!.

I'm wondering whether it may be time to get rid if it's potentially a new radiator? I'm not actually sure how much they cost but sounds expensive. Definitely going to try flushing the radiator and replacing the thermostat. Thank you for your help

 

[steveras57]

New radiator a couple of hundred pounds for a decent one- depends if you or someone you know can fit it rather than a garage, which would add a couple of hundred more to the bill!.

 

[The Panda Nut]

DIsconnect the rad hoses. Flush with LOTS of clean water from a hose. Block the bottom, fill up and drain repeatedly then use a flushing agent. Try not to disturb the quick release fitting on the bottom hose though. Cut the hose clip and refit with a new one. The quick release fitting comes only with a new hose. Dont buy from Fiat they are over 10X the price of gates hoses on eBay. The temp sensor is part of the thermostat and could be the problem. If you buy an Original Birth thermostat from Shop4PArts these have the metal pipe fittings and an excellent waranty. Check the cooling fan is working too.