(slightly) Overheating 3.0l

[timholmes61]

Hi,

I recently got another 3.0l auto 2nd gen and noticed on the drive home that the temp guage would rise a unto around 3/4 while on a long up hill motorway stretch. It would quickly drop back down when it levelled out.

I checked the coolant and looked quite mucky so got the garage to replace and flush coolant, fit new stat and rad cap (also new ATF fluid) thinking that might sort it out.

But drove on motorway shortly after and sure enough on a long uphill stretch (and a hot day) rose up near the red line. Now getting me quite worried as I know overheating is not good for these.

I've done the research on here and came up with these things I can try:
remove radiator and fully clean
check fan operation
buy a new rad

Anyone have any ideas what my best bet is? I don't want to spend money unecessarily but want to get it sorted as there's something wrong. My last surf never did that.

Thanks

[lord_flashart]

Make sure there isn't loads of mud and filth in the radiator fins, try and clean it our (but don't pressure wash it or may bend the fins!)



Ray.

[biosurf]

This might help

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...light=cleaning

[timholmes61]

That seems to be link to this thread!

[biosurf]

So it is. It must be numpty o'clock. Sorted now.

[timholmes61]

Thanks for the help on this.

My rad doesn't look too bad from what I can tell in situ, so I decided to check a few other simple things people have been mentioning on here.

Ran it from cold with rads cap off and all heaters on, heaters were working fine and no coolant was coming out of the rad. all seemed ok.

I also checked the viscous fan when cold. It would turn easily. After engine was up to temp (although not actually driven) the fan would still easily turn. I read that when warm the fan should not turn easily if working properly. Have I checked this right? If so how can I sort this problem out?

There's loads of posts on here about things like refilling the silicon fluid etc but as I've got no experience with things like this it sounds too difficult for me to attempt. Any ideas on what I should do? eg. buy a new unit and get garage to fit?

Thanks

[Albannach]

Your viscous fan should be free when cold and stiff to turn when hot. It's easy to fix, just take your time with it and you'll be fine.

[timholmes61]

Thanks. I've read the write up of changing the fluid and it doesn't look too bad (although I'll have to find the appropriate tools from somewhere). But I haven't seen anything on how to get the fan off in the first place. are there just more bolt from the shaft onto the coupling?

Could a fault in the fan alone be enough to cause the overheating I described?

[Albannach]

Could a fault in the fan alone be enough to cause the overheating I described?

Possibly, it won't be helping the situation; that's for sure.

Low transmission fluid level or gubbed transmission fluid are other possibilities. It's next to impossible to flush a radiator clean, without taking the headers off, as the water merely flows down the unchoked parts of the core.

[Albannach]

Thanks. I've read the write up of changing the fluid and it doesn't look too bad (although I'll have to find the appropriate tools from somewhere). But I haven't seen anything on how to get the fan off in the first place. are there just more bolt from the shaft onto the coupling?

There are 4 bolts holding the fan assembly to the water pump. Once the fan is off, you'll see another 4 bolts holding the fan to the viscous coupling. The viscous cupling is held together by 6 (8?) screws which will need an impact wrench to remove them.

[timholmes61]

If it turns out that the rad is also blocked and fixing the fan is not enough, am I better off getting the existing one recored (like some on here have had done) or is it just as easy/expensive to buy a new one from roughtrax?

Also read a lot about ATF coolers helping but as I don't use the surf for towing is it worth me think about this? I'm guessing if the problems are sorted then I won't have need for a seperate cooler.