Over Heating Help Please

[Don & Bunny]

I'm a new surf driver, purchased the "ZULU" from BlackpoolSparks about 8 months ago, Great machine. I had some trouble 4 months ago when the Drive Belts went on my way to Oxford. I replaced them but in the process I drained and removed the Rad. I properly should have read up more about the coolant but I have replaced the coolant with what looks like blue coolant.

About two weeks ago I started having problems with over heating. Seems ok when I was running, but if I'm sitting in traffic it gets a bit hairy. I have to keep the revs up at about 2000 RPM to keep it in the green.

I know this is my own stupidity, but is there any advice any one can give?

Before this gets to long winded I'm planning a trip down through Africa. A friend of mine in Moz says he has over heating problems and was told the Surfs don't like the Heat is this true?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Don

[biosurf]

Have a search for coolant flush to check there are no airlocks in the system

See if water form a hose will go form one side of the rad and out of the other- it may a be a bit blocked search for 'cleaning the rad an idiots guide'

Is you viscous fan working- it should switch on when in traffic to aid cooling

[MattF]

Is you viscous fan working- it should switch on when in traffic to aid cooling

Do I need to point out the mistake?

The viscous fan is mechanical. It should rotate freely on its hub when cold and stiffen up when hot.

What colour coolant was in there originally?

[danielsprague]

The colour of your coolant shouldn't matter, though you should not run it on more than 50% anti-freeze, red or blue.

Check the jiggle-valve in the thermostat is mounted between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock as you look at it from the front. The jiggle valve is a little metal float type thing which will rattle when you shake the thermostat.

As for overheating, Surfs have a rep for overheating in the UK. I'm on a two-year road trip through Asia. I was looking at a Surf, but was put off, so I bought a Hilux pickup. The needle has never gone more than halfway, even when the temperature is pushing 50ºC outside. You don't see many Surfs out here, I'd swap it for a Hilux, they're slower and less comfortable, but tougher, simpler and don't overheat.

Daniel

[Albannach]

The colour of your coolant shouldn't matter,

So long as you never mix them.

[Albannach]

As for overheating, Surfs have a rep for overheating in the UK. I'm on a two-year road trip through Asia. I was looking at a Surf, but was put off, so I bought a Hilux pickup. The needle has never gone more than halfway, even when the temperature is pushing 50ºC outside. You don't see many Surfs out here, I'd swap it for a Hilux, they're slower and less comfortable, but tougher, simpler and don't overheat.

Daniel

I think we're getting to the point where we realise that Surfs overheat because the cooling systems are poorly maintained.

The guys on here who look after the cooling system the same way as the rest of the engine (regular flushes, always use coolant, change the thermostat and cap etc..) don't have cooling issues.

So it's possibly an unfair unfair reputation. A bit like the 'Skodas are shit' diatribe that gets spouted now and then...

[danielsprague]

I think we're getting to the point where we realise that Surfs overheat because the cooling systems are poorly maintained.

The guys on here who look after the cooling system the same way as the rest of the engine (regular flushes, always use coolant, change the thermostat and cap etc..) don't have cooling issues.

Definitely some truth in that, but travelling in the back of beyond you don't always have access to maintenance facilities, plus the mild British climate is really incomparable to sub-tropical heat. If you're going through Africa, you'll be carrying a heavy payload, at times through sandy or other power-sapping terrain, and the last thing you need is a cracked head in the middle of nowhere, it's not like the AA will come and tow you home, and I've never met anyone who carries a spare cylinder head.

Also, the whole world is full of Hiluxes and Hiaces driven by people who do absolutely zero maintenance until something breaks, and they have basically the same engine as the Surf, but no reputation for overheating that I've heard of. It's not a powerful engine, and when you add the turbo, the extra weight and electrics, you're putting a lot more strain on the engine. After all, the Surf is just a tarted up Hilux.

If you need to carry more than two people or a lot of gear, get a Landcruiser, a late 80's HJ60 is a damn fine machine with a tractor-like engine. If you have a little more cash, the 80 series cruiser is good value for money, but avoid the pre-facelift models as they have a rep for breaking crank bearings at high mileages.

The main advantage with a Hilux over these though is that it's light, which counts a whole lot when the going gets tough. If you pack light it's fine for two people. I put an ally deck over the rear tray on my single cab, which is used as a camping platform and keeps everything inside very safe. Plus spare parts for the lux are very cheap.

I'm sure you can do trans Africa in Surf... try to find a 5 core radiator to fit, or a second electric fan, an oil cooler, or a sepatrate transmission fluid cooler if it's an (eek) auto box.

Let me know about your plans, should be heading down to Africa later this year when I'm done with the middle-east.

Good luck

Daniel

[Don & Bunny]

Thanks

When I bought the vehicle "Blackpool Sparks" recommended this site, saying " any problems the members will help out ".

He was right, thanks for the support!

I drained and flushed the coolant system, checked the thermostat. All Good.

I did notice a small leak on the top rad pipe to the thermostat. This may have resulted in the system loosing water and pressure. (Need to do regular check on old vehicles)

Dan, thanks for the advice, unfortunately the Surf is the vehicle I have bought no going back. The Hilux has a fantastic rep, I have driven them and it was the reason for getting the Surf, as you say its just a jacked up Hilux or so I thought.

I am going to look into a better suited Rad and electric fan ( should assist when the going is slow, heavy and hot) If there is any advise anyone can give, I would greatly appreciate it.)

Well THE ZULU is running cool again.

Once again thanks!

DON

[MattF]

The colour of your coolant shouldn't matter, though you should not run it on more than 50% anti-freeze, red or blue.

It completely matters where red coolant is concerned. I don't just type things for jollies.