Overheating 2.4 (working vehicle)

[Mental_ben666]

Hey everyone.
I bought a 2.4 auto (1993) about 18 months ago. We decided to move to spain shortly after, and so I bought a trailer, not just for carrying furniture over, but also for work when I got there. Trailer ways about 600kg unladen, and with about 500kg gear in it the first time I towed it, the head went. (7 miles from home on the way to the ferry.) After that all was good the whole drive through spain.

Now in Spain, we have lots of big hills, long and steep ones. With trailer and loads up to 1500kg max (inc trailer weight), she's trying to overheat again. I'm not pushing it too hard, and I expect it's got alot to do with the air temp outside, which is a little on the warm side at this time of year. Any suggestions, PLEASE: I need the thing to be able to cope with weights, I don't think they are excessive? I've seen over 2.4s carrying much more.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Ben

[Sancho]

You need a separate ATF cooler. Do a search on it and things should start becoming clearer.

[Mental_ben666]

Ok, thanks. has anyone fitted one of these, and where can I get one? Also I've been reading that temp gauges are not as accurate as one would hope. Is this true and is it worth looking into an aftermarket one?

Ben

[TobyJug]

use the search button above,
and u will find how to do it

many people before u have fitted them...

[Tallyman]

Both mods are worthwhile. I've put an ATF oil cooler on mine and it does help to keep the coolant temperature within reason, especially when towing. I did a write up of it back in 2004 but can't find it at the moment.

I've also fitted an aftermarket auxhilliary temperature guage and sender and the difference to the standard guage is amazing. The extra guage shows the minutest changes whereas the standard guage reaches the normal point at about 40C and doesn't move off that point until it reaches around 120C, when it suddenly goes into the RED very quickly!!!

The other thing to look at is the viscous fan. If it's not working well (no oil) then it will not spin fast enough when needed. There are threads on here showing you how to service it. Other than that, you could try removing the engine driven viscous fan and fit an aftermarket electric fan instead (Kenlowe) which will take a bit of stress off the engine and, if wired correctly, will allow you to override the thermostatic operation and turn it on when you need it.

One thing I did find with mine is that the radiator had a number of pinholes in it that allowed it to depressurise and weeped coolant. I fitted a replacement reconditioned unit from Roughtrax and it's been working perfectly since, including towing the caravan to Cornwall in what we laughingly called the Summer here with no problems. Even towing uphill the temp never exceeded 115C and quickly returned to normal once I hit the flat.

[Sancho]

There is a thread somewhere on the Aussie site www.toyotasurf.asn.au about replacing a resistor to make the standard temperature guage actually show the temperature.

Hold on....

Here: http://toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14717