Temp Fluctuates while towing caravan ????

[Rustinho]

Thought about a bonnet extractor fan in the past, but thought that I would try the bonnet lift first, only cost a few coppers for a pack of washers. Up to now it appears to be effective having been done for about three years, and a lot of summer towing ago. But have say that when I first started towing with the surf it was a bit hairy watching the temp guage when I hit a hill. A new rad from Roughtrax and an ATF cooler from Kelowe and it was a different motor, running much cooler.My old 2.4 has over 240k Km.s under her belt now and still has the head she was imported with, provided its driven in a sensible manner she performes prety well enough (touch wood). As for an after market temp guage, well it's worth thinking about. Just how easy are they to fit?

Spoggle

Speaking only from the experience of reading about it on here I think the 2.4s have a "spare socket" to screw one into next to the normal temp sender. I also *think* that one from a Toyota Corolla fits & you can get them cheap from a local scrappy.

But I'm sure someone with first hand experience will pipe up about it soon enough...

[Hazzo]

Thought about a bonnet extractor fan in the past, but thought that I would try the bonnet lift first, only cost a few coppers for a pack of washers. Up to now it appears to be effective having been done for about three years, and a lot of summer towing ago. But have say that when I first started towing with the surf it was a bit hairy watching the temp guage when I hit a hill. A new rad from Roughtrax and an ATF cooler from Kelowe and it was a different motor, running much cooler.My old 2.4 has over 240k Km.s under her belt now and still has the head she was imported with, provided its driven in a sensible manner she performes prety well enough (touch wood). As for an after market temp guage, well it's worth thinking about. Just how easy are they to fit?

Spoggle

Fitting is a doddle if you can see and know what colour wire is pos on the ignition, this is where I'm at this very moment. The biggest pain is finding a decent spot to locate the guage, I've moved the immob and fog switch from under the hard/soft & idleup buttons for mine but I struggle with wiring, especially as my specs are well out of date and my contortionist days are well n truly over. H

[Spoggle]

Fitting is a doddle if you can see and know what colour wire is pos on the ignition, this is where I'm at this very moment. The biggest pain is finding a decent spot to locate the guage, I've moved the immob and fog switch from under the hard/soft & idleup buttons for mine but I struggle with wiring, especially as my specs are well out of date and my contortionist days are well n truly over. H

Well I too have gone well past the days of being able to bend double and my eyes are also a little more than dim. Anyway if I'm gonna fit one its better that I can see just when the engine is gonna go bang. Sowill look and see if I could fit a pod on top on the dash or perhaps the windscreen piller.Where abouts in Gods country are you mate, perhaps we could kidnap a pair of eyes that work and do both trucks together

Spoggle

[Hazzo]

I'm in Sunny Seaham by the sea and just finished installing it this morning, think my gaskets n belt arrive tomorrow so will be putting the new head on the next couple of days.
I think a pod would of been a better idea as my guage is sitting slightly proud of the facia now its all screwed back up but as long as it works I'll be happy. H

[Surf01]

I have a 1997 3rd gen and towed a twin axle caravan MTPLM 1650kgs up and down hills no problem so not sure why other 3rd Gens are having issues with temperature. Also when towingt he vehicle was normally full of gear in the rear.

[Hawaii]

Mornin all

I have exactly the same issue with my 3rd gen, all's fine with the temp gauge staying just below half until I tow up a long stendy gradient when teh gauge shows nearly 3/4's the way up and i get scared.

She still pulls like a train and, apart from the occasional topping up I have no probs but I tow the caravan a lot so really want to look at keeping the temp under control.

It's got a reasonably new rad and there's no gunk etc. in there and she does get regular coolant changes.

These Kenlow ATF coolers - anyone got any details of product code etc. and where to fit it on the truck (piping etc.) - do I have to remove the curent ATF cooler as well?

ta

hawaii

[ian2144]

I was on www.demon-tweeks.co.uk they have a Mocal oil cooler kit for auto transmitions priced at £108.98 inc vat. Just been to Silverstone and back with the caravan, temp still fluctuating, so must do somthing soon !!!

[Rustinho]

These Kenlow ATF coolers - anyone got any details of product code etc. and where to fit it on the truck (piping etc.) - do I have to remove the curent ATF cooler as well?

This should help a little:

http://www.kenlowe.com/oil-coolers/engine/index.html

Everything I've read about adding an ATF cooler seems to suggest that it's an addition and not a replacement although I don't see why it shouldn't work either way.

I had my eye on one (brand new, boxed, bought by the seller and unused) on fleabay a few months ago and it ended up going for about £30 or so but I didn't have the money to outbid the buyer so I didn't even put a bid down for it in the end but there are bargains out there if you shop around for one.

[Spoggle]

Mornin all

I have exactly the same issue with my 3rd gen, all's fine with the temp gauge staying just below half until I tow up a long stendy gradient when teh gauge shows nearly 3/4's the way up and i get scared.

She still pulls like a train and, apart from the occasional topping up I have no probs but I tow the caravan a lot so really want to look at keeping the temp under control.

It's got a reasonably new rad and there's no gunk etc. in there and she does get regular coolant changes.

These Kenlow ATF coolers - anyone got any details of product code etc. and where to fit it on the truck (piping etc.) - do I have to remove the curent ATF cooler as well?

ta

hawaii

I fitted mine on a 2nd gen 2.4 a couple of years ago now. Kit came with all the pipes on conectors needed. The idea is to fit it in line before the oil enters the bottom of the standard rad, so the ATF is cooled abs shouldnt super heat the water in the rad. As I have said many times 'I aint no mechanic' but even I found the job quiet easy,when I built up the nerve to cut the pipe

Spoggle

[Hawaii]

righty then

taken the plunge & ordered a 13 row transmission cooler, mounting kit, piping & 7 litres of dextron 2

only question is, having looked under the truck for the 2 pipes that come from the autobox which one do i break into to fit the additional cooler before the fluid gets to the cooler within the water rad as I want the trans fluid that gets to the cooler rad to be as cool as possible

any advice greatfully received

ta

hawaii

[Spoggle]

righty then

taken the plunge & ordered a 13 row transmission cooler, mounting kit, piping & 7 litres of dextron 2

only question is, having looked under the truck for the 2 pipes that come from the autobox which one do i break into to fit the additional cooler before the fluid gets to the cooler within the water rad as I want the trans fluid that gets to the cooler rad to be as cool as possible

any advice greatfully received

ta

hawaii

Was quite a while ago when I did mine, but as I recall there was a thread on here with pictures of the whole job, think it was one that Vince posted. You out there Vince ,was it you?

Spoggle

[stormforce]

theres this thread by TLB
http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...mission+cooler

[GIRDLES]

Had this problem a couple of years back, I changed rad and fitted a ATF cooler we tow a twin axle 1700kg + over to Spain in 30-35 degrees over the Pyrenees with out issues.

[Hazzo]

Which rad did you change to? H

[GIRDLES]

From Ebay
Jap import company, brand new cast about 150.00