Overheating, head broken, 4WD light

[tonymz]

Hi all,
I recently bought a surf, 3 months ago, I did the usual things after buying, changing filters, oils, etc...
However, my car overheated during a trip and the cylinder head went. I had a hard time finding a head but finally did and put it on. It worked normally for a while but as soon as I took another trip it started to overheat again, I stopped the car and let it cool down, I discovered that it was running out of water. When the mechanic had a look at the car he could not find any water leaks. Someone then told me to check the radiator cap which I then changed for a new one, eversince I have had no water loss, magic I guess. and the thermostat was also removed. Now, after all these problems my 4WD light on the dashboard will not light anymore when I engage 4WD but the 4WD works, where can I check that?

[Guest]

Hi all,
I recently bought a surf, 3 months ago, I did the usual things after buying, changing filters, oils, etc...
However, my car overheated during a trip and the cylinder head went. I had a hard time finding a head but finally did and put it on. It worked normally for a while but as soon as I took another trip it started to overheat again, I stopped the car and let it cool down, I discovered that it was running out of water. When the mechanic had a look at the car he could not find any water leaks. Someone then told me to check the radiator cap which I then changed for a new one, eversince I have had no water loss, magic I guess. and the thermostat was also removed. Now, after all these problems my 4WD light on the dashboard will not light anymore when I engage 4WD but the 4WD works, where can I check that?

If the 4WD actually works I would say it would either be the bulb blown (you will need to remove the instrument panel to get at it) or the sender unit (on the front diff unit there is a sender with a wiring plug on it. This is actuated by the ADD collar sliding into place and switches the light on. Either the unit is knackered or more likely the plug has come disconnected.

I would suggest that you put the thermostat back in. It is not recommended to run these engines with the thermostat out as they may actually run hotter. Did some research and this is something to do with a reduction in reverse pressure against the water pump which can cause a reduction in water volume and speed produced by the pump.

Don't quite fully understand it however I do know that my engine ran hotter when I first got it than it did when I put the thermostat back in that was missing. Also It is better fro engines to heat up to full temp quickly rather than slowly, thermostat helps the engine warm up quicker.

Cheers

[tonymz]

Have you got any pic as to where the plug is? for the 4WD light on the diff that is.

[da SLUG man]

didn't a few people have a problem with 4wd after a head change because the vacuum pipe hadn't been connected back up properly?

[Guest]

didn't a few people have a problem with 4wd after a head change because the vacuum pipe hadn't been connected back up properly?

Yep but in that case the 4WD doesn't work at all as there is no vacuum to the vacuum relays.

[Guest]

Have you got any pic as to where the plug is? for the 4WD light on the diff that is.

If it stops raining I'll see if I can get a decent photo of it.

Cheers

[da SLUG man]

Yep but in that case the 4WD doesn't work at all as there is no vacuum to the vacuum relays.

oh yeah!... that's me not reading the question again!

[Guest]

oh yeah!... that's me not reading the question again!

Heh it's Christmas, happens to everyone around this time of year and this amount of Beer

[tonymz]

Thanks Lucky. I take it that it is the rainning season over there... It's the same here but doesn't rain that much.

[Guest]

Thanks Lucky. I take it that it is the rainning season over there... It's the same here but doesn't rain that much.

It's always the Rainy season here. I think we should send some over to you guys, you need it more than we do.

Cheers

[tonymz]

We have just the right amount of rain....

[tonymz]

any pics of the sensor for the 4wd front diff which lights the dashboard 4wd light?

[TonyN]

Its in the middle of the axle....

[tonymz]

Thanks. This is very good description of the works of 4wd. Is it possible to activate the 4wd if this system fails, i.e. manually?

[TonyN]

Don't quite fully understand it however I do know that my engine ran hotter when I first got it than it did when I put the thermostat back in that was missing. Also It is better fro engines to heat up to full temp quickly rather than slowly, thermostat helps the engine warm up quicker.

Cheers

The 'stat is also like a water flow governer, if you remove the 'stat, the water flows quicker, and goes thought the rad to quickly, so it dosn't get cooled enough before being pumped back into the engine.