Thread: TD5 got hot or did it?

When did you last fully service the cooling system?

new hoses, thermostat, belt, coolant about 3000 kms ago. motors done 100 000 since new (2003). had coolant changes every couple of years in that time. Had fan off a few times while messing about getting the right size belt, bearing felt smooth.

HAd a good look at the viscous fan?

Does it seem to be cycling and spinning like it should, that is moving heaps of air and roaring like they do when needed?

You could have a look at "instruments" on a Nanocom which will tell you what the sensor says, then compare with the head temp next to the sensor. ( with maybe an infrared sensor)

That should tell you if the sensor is faulty.

Usually if the sensor has a bad connection the gauge will under read and tell the ECU the engine is cold..

I have a digital gauge attached to a dry sensor on one of the bolts next to the wet sensor and it reads within 0.5-1C of the sensor.
Maybe have a look at the red plug.

Regards PhilipA

Some options:

Radiator is likely around 30% blocked internally by that time.
Water pump
Thermostat getting lazy
Viscous Fan
Mud / muck build up in radiator core or between radiator and condenser.

The jolt you got was the “protection” fuel cut.

thanks for the info. at this stage of the vehicles life, I'm happy to replace pump, fan, radiator etc.. for the sake of reliability.I'll check sender, but it sounds like thats not the issue. Not really worried about the fact I'm "throwing" parts at the problem without knowing the problem, as it were. As stated, the gauge went from its usual position mid way, to just before the red before I could pull over and shut it down. Its fitted with a working coolant alarm on the high point of the top hose, which didn't activate. So, all things being equal, if the fuel cut out activated due to temp, should I be prepping for a head gasket as pretty much a given due to the TD5's known dislike of overheating?

I had the same issue years ago after a lot of mud holes in a Vic state forest.

Just flushed my radiator clean and it was all good.

At the age of the vehicle there will likely be a large sediment build up in the lower core of the radiator. Causing it to suffer the same fate on hills.

I’d say you may be very lucky this time and it’s just got warm for a fraction of time. However. Plan for a head gasket in the future if a new radiator etc doesn’t fix it.

Just to close this one out, Hawkeye showed over temps all over the place, replaced water pump, radiator, viscous fan and found no culprit in the cooling system, so decided to pull the head. No obvious signs of HG failure and head was sent away to be tested, no issue found. This puts you in that wonderful place where you have to decide how much you like the vehicle!! Decided to replace head with a new one for piece of mind., hey, its only money! Ended up costing about 7K all up, but essentially a new engine. Vehicle has done just over 100 000 kms since I purchased it new in 2003, only use it for trips, been overserviced if anything. You have to question your sanity when I had to rebuild the gearbox at around 50 000kms due to a layshaft bearing letting go and now this. Hopefully the next 100 000kms will be less eventful.