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[Seth]

Hi all,
I've just used our 2.5TD Estate fro towing our caravan for the first time.
Performance generally was pretty satisfactory, except that the temperature went just above 100 degrees on motorway inclines. Once you cleared the summit, it quickly returned to it's usual temperature - around 95 degrees.
I note that the 'red' on the gauge is just past 110 degrees, so not much room for error!
Does anyone know if this occurrence is normal, has anyone, (especially caravanners), experienced/cured this?
Thanks chaps!

[Omegatoy]

its reasonably normal mate, main fans dont come on tilll it hits 100 degrees, first fans come on at 95 if your switches are working? although does it hit the hundred mark only after puling hard for a while or straight away??
Omegatoy

[Seth]

Thanks for replying.
It hits the 100 mark after about a mile or so of pulling hard.
You say the main fans - are these the two that are down towards the base of the radiator?

[osealy]

Mines the same, rather worrying. Temp drops about 3 degrees if I turn Climate onto HI. Apparently shitty water pumps & silted rads dont help.
I couldn't undo the viscous Fan, thats as far as I've got.

[MickAP]

Mines the same, rather worrying. Temp drops about 3 degrees if I turn Climate onto HI. Apparently naffty water pumps & silted rads dont help.
I couldn't undo the viscous Fan, thats as far as I've got.

You may already know this but it is a LH thread.

Mick

[Omegatoy]

Thanks for replying.
It hits the 100 mark after about a mile or so of pulling hard.
You say the main fans - are these the two that are down towards the base of the radiator?

yep they switch onto low speed at about 95 and high speed operation at 100, you can hear them running when they do so you would know if they were not running hence the reason for the question about how long before it starts to go over the 100, slightly silted/blocked rad is
most likely cause of your hot running,
Omegatoy

[TheBoy]

Admittedly mine has an A1 cooling system now (and no viscous fan).  It had no troubles towing an Omega Estate (heavier than most vans), even on hills, never went above 96C on gauge.  Admittedly, never went faster than 60 mph either.

100C on gauge is actually nearer 110C in reality, which is the safe limit of the engine.

[Seth]

Right then, do you think that I should try flushing the rad as a starting point?
My idea would be to use a flushing additive in the system for a few days driving - what do you think?
I'll add that there's always a 50-50 antifreeze content in my TD.

[TheBoy]

Right then, do you think that I should try flushing the rad as a starting point?
My idea would be to use a flushing additive in the system for a few days driving - what do you think?
I'll add that there's always a 50-50 antifreeze content in my TD.

Worth checking the waterpump has a full compliment of vanes left on it.

If rad is partially silted, or has blockages, replacement is only option. And they ain't cheap

As to flushing, I found the Forte one to be the most effective, and I followed instructions.

[philhoward]

Worth checking the waterpump has a full compliment of vanes left on it.

Not sure if the same applies to the diesel as the petrol, but the BMW petrol 6-pots of the same era are known for losing waterpump vanes on a regular basis.

[TheBoy]

Worth checking the waterpump has a full compliment of vanes left on it.

Not sure if the same applies to the diesel as the petrol, but the BMW petrol 6-pots of the same era are known for losing waterpump vanes on a regular basis.

Yup, their crap diesels are equally poorly designed....

[Seth]

Thanks again fellas,
I should be able to get hold of the Forte stuff - we've a stockist locally.
Regarding the water pump - mine's brand new - and will be changed every two years. The actual flow of the coolant is now superb!

[TheBoy]

Thanks again fellas,
I should be able to get hold of the Forte stuff - we've a stockist locally.
Regarding the water pump - mine's brand new - and will be changed every two years. The actual flow of the coolant is now superb!

In that case, might be worth removing rad and giving it a seperate flush.  I used a load on bleach in my one one.  Also, can lay flat, and pour boiling water in, and see if there are any 'cold spots' (blockages).

[osealy]

If I take the rad out do I have to disconnect the tranny cooler.
My climate pump is RIP so thats not a prob?

[TheBoy]

If I take the rad out do I have to disconnect the tranny cooler.
My climate pump is RIP so thats not a prob?

yes.  won't lose much atf from it, but you'll need to redo levels afterwards