Is 120C going up very long steep hill abnormal?

[hellmett]

Hi All,

Was going up a long very steep hill this evening and the aftermarket temp gauge went up to about 120.

I didn't panic at all until I got to my destination and the engine smelled as if it had overheated!

(you know the smell!)

Anyhow, I also noticed that some of the coolant had ruptured a small hole in the radiator, nothing major just a few thimble fulls squirted around the expansion bottle.

The question!

Have I wrecked my baby or is this long, steep hill temperature rise common place?

Gary

[Albannach]

120 whats? Centigrade is high, farenheit is OK.

Fix the radiator ASAP.

[Bogus]

I,ll be guided by the title and guess that 120C means 120 deg centigrade. As the man says that is HOT. Head popping hot for a 2.4.

[Albannach]

With some of the things I've seen on here recently, I never assume anything.

[Tallyman]

I've seen close to that temp on my 3.0L, but only ever when I've been towing the caravan up a long hill in warm weather, which is when I turn on the bonnet fan to aid airflow through the rad. Most I've ever seen "solo" uphill is just short of 100C, so definitely not good on yours. Really need to sort and fix that rad leak ASAP.

[hellmett]

re

My Surf is A1, coolant changed every service, pipes fresh, new thermostat and rad cap, no airlocks etc., why on earth did this happen?

Am I missing summat?

Gary

[schrodingers-cat]

Am I missing summat?

Gary

A. 3 Litre

[Smokerace]

You have probably just answered your own question. Rad blown a hole !! Get a new rad, make sure your viscous fan is in good order and the thermo fan works. Whack a new stat in there and you will be good to go. Your problem was most likely a dodgy rad.

[Albannach]

Am I missing summat?

You do have a hole in your radiator. That will allow ait ro be sucked in, rather than coolant from the expansion tank, when the engine is cooling.

That means you won't have enough coolant in the engine, not enough coolant will cause overheating, 120 degrees centigrade is an overheated engine...