Thread: Defender getting hot towing

The plastic dowels DO help locate the head during assembly, but also if the engine gets hot enough, the head WILL walk and even by a fraction of a mm it will break the seal that the head gasket has with the block and head, thereby creating a leak. I wasn't aware you had LPG aswell, the EGT gauge is a MUST have, although LPG is supposed to lower the EGT's under load, it is very important to keep monitoring them as they can still reach epic numbers quite quickly, even on Dieso alone.

45% is a LOT, I would say that is most likely the main cause, and the coolant spewing out means the cap is doing its job and relieving the system of excess pressure due to overheating.

JC

Sorry about your dramas Graz, might have to get my rad replaced soon if I get my job up north.
Should imagine although the old girl holds good temp in Perth up there and some serious mileage under her belt - it can only help.
Hope your issues get cured on the quick mate, regards andy.

My Tdi is on gas and diesel and I drove it loaded up to Newman last week and switching it between gas/no gas made very little difference to the EGT numbers,20 degree's tops.The 45% blocked rad would be the reason it's running hot,also do the paint brush check on the fan.I'm very supprised that the head was fixed without finding the reason for it failing,the rad wouldn't block up in 20K. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

My Tdi is on gas and diesel and I drove it loaded up to Newman last week and switching it between gas/no gas made very little difference to the EGT numbers,20 degree's tops.The 45% blocked rad would be the reason it's running hot,also do the paint brush check on the fan.I'm very supprised that the head was fixed without finding the reason for it failing,the rad wouldn't block up in 20K. Pat

Pat
At the time the head went there were not any previous indications of overheating, always under 90deg on the Nanacom. At the time I was towing the camper up Armadale hill and the temp suddenly went berserk and was over 115 on the nanocom before I could stop. I think the ECU actually shut the engine down. Since refitting the head after repair the temps have always been around 86 to 89 at highway speeds. It was only since pulling the heavier van uphill ( I was pushing it a bit pacing a tojo ) that I realized that I probably had a blocked rad.
I will most likely get a new head eventually as I don't have confidence in a head that has been cooked.
Graz

Towing up a hill will cook an engine really quick and a 45% blocked rad,worst of all a twin pass rad like fitted to defenders means you really have no cooling at all.Get that sorted and you'll be OK. Pat

New Rad already fitted and temp behavour better but still an issue, just fitted the new viscous fan and the temps on the nanocom entirely different. Maintains a constantly lower temp. Towed the van up the same hill and did not get over 92 deg C on the nanocom. Quickly cooled to 89 on the flat.
A lot more fan noise for a while when cold.
The old viscous fan passed the test of resistance to rotation when static
(felt about the same as the new fan but was not doing the job)
So if your Fender is around 10 years + old and getting warm renew the viscous fan and either rod the rad or renew it.
Cheers

where in perth did you get this done? was it a specialist radiator joint or just a landy mechanic? my tdi recently got hot - well 3-5mm from the red section on the temperture gauge whilst towing the jayco up to coral bay? its over ten years old & in the 8 years I've had it I've only changed the coolant twice - well had someone else do it & they hadn't passed comment on radiator condition. have been informed by the mechanics I now use that the viscous fan needs replacing.

I pulled the rad out myself and took to a specialist radiator repairer in Midland