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[Ian_D]

Last month, I towed my new caravan to Billing Aquadrome - It was 165 miles each way.

85% of the trip was on the M1, so I had cruise set between 55-60 mph.
The temperature was normal (by this I mean just over half way on the gauge) most of the time, however the moment I started to drive up a slight incline, the temperature started to rise (due to the extra load I guess). Once I saw the temp start to rise, I slowed down to about 50mph, however it still crept up to around 3/4 on the gauge which is  the 100 deg mark (but we all know that these gauges under read anyway)! :-/

It’s not a massive caravan, only single axle and only weights about 1150kgs, so I didn’t expect it to rise quite that much!


What’s a safe temp for the 3.0 v6? Anything I can do to assist engine cooling? As I’m doing the same trip in 8 days!  Or is this normal and I’m worrying about nothing? :-/

[Vmax]

Sounds Ok to me. Did your fan kick in and bring it down?
 

[NiallyV6CDX]

The thermostat on the V6 opens at 92C and is fully open by 97.5C. Above 97.5 the fans should be kicking in. Above 100C and there may be an issue, e.g coolant pump / thermostat on the way out, or possibly the sysyem could do with flushing.

[markfree]

The same happens when I'm towing the van - going uphill (plenty of hills in Scotland) or waiting at traffic lights the temp goes up to nearly 100 then the fans kick in and bring the temp right down.
So I don't think you have a problem unless the temp sticks at 100 or over and then you might have a problem.
Having said that the first time I towed the van the HBV was leaking slightly and now fixed.

[Ian_D]

Maybe just me worring then?

Will the fans make much difference at 50mph+ anyway? Thought the Windspeed would give more airflow than the fans? If it will, I could always wire a switch in, then turn the main fan on just before the incline? Or again, am I just me worring too much?  :-/

[Entwood]

I've done a great deal of towing with both the 2.5 (petrol) and 3.2 .. both auto's ... pulling a 1600 Kg 'van .. and what you describe is perfectly normal. The temp will rise as you put the engine to work, and if an autobox it will also have to cool the gearbox oil as well, which will get warmer whilst towing.

As long as the fans cut in and the temperature drops it is nothing to worry about, mine went up a 3500 ft mountain in the South of France in temperatures of 35 degrees with the van on the back .... ok .. the fans were running almost continually on the way up but the temp never went past 100.

If you get worried when the indicated temp rises, turn the aircon to ECO, this will reduce the temperature of the air at the Radiator.. as it won't be working to cool the aircon ..... (note ... under more normal conditions .. not towing and cool air, turning the aircon off will cause the temp to RISE .. as the aircon fans will stop.... )

I've only ever had the warning light on once, and that was climbing out of the Loire Valley .... very steep road with roadworks.. so the beast was working hard .. it also got very hot so we closed the windows and turned on the aircon... 45 seconds later the temp rocketed and the light came  on !!! Switched engine off then back on without starting it .. no fans ... the main fan fuse had blown !! we think the combination of aircon + fans at max due to heat just drew too much current as they kicked in all together. New fuse and everything was OK.

The cooling system is basically very good 

HTH

[Ian_D]

Cheers Entwood, Makes me feel happier now!

Makes perfect sense using the ECO button to turn AC off to prevent the AC rad from been hot

[KillerWatt]

I could always wire a switch in, then turn the main fan on just before the incline?

A Kenlowe draws way more than what most people realise, so you'll want something a little more substantial than just a switch.

[Ian_D]

I could always wire a switch in, then turn the main fan on just before the incline?

A Kenlowe draws way more than what most people realise, so you'll want something a little more substantial than just a switch.

If I wired the switch to the sensor thats in the rad then it would just be turning on the relay.