Bleeding the Fiat 124 Spider cooling system
One of the most important features of the Fiat 124 Spider cooling system is that the radiator cap is lower than the highest coolant level needed in the engine. Filling only from the rad will leave an air bubble that will not open the thermostat and cause overheating. To prevent this, one can add a t-flush filler to the heater hose that goes high over the engine or raise the front of the car high enough so the radiator becomes the high point. I have seen a tall plastic tube fit tightly to the radiator to add fill height. I use a t-flush for final topping and fill until overflow from the radiator.
Signs of a bubble are hot gauge indication that abruptly jumps low. A system leak can show little fuid loss but still can draw in air.
Cheers Ron
Comments
- Tim Baxter wrote: Jan 29, 2008 7:18 p.m.
- That's a great tip Ron. I've known a lot of unaware owners who were caught out by the 124's cooling system.
- wlkelley3 wrote: Mar 22, 2008 5:37 p.m.
- I learned the trick of having the radiator the high point by using vehicle ramps and now use it for all my cars. Works very well to get rid of air bubbles. Works on more than Fiats, I learned it with my Miata. Great tip!