Defender overheating - normal or not?

**Ranga** · 26th January 2010, 04:40 PM

On the way out past Cunningham's Gap on Saturday, I noticed the Defender engine temp heating up just after Aratula.

The original temp gauge started creeping (I've never seen it go past half way before) to about 3/4, and the TM2 starting getting into the mid-80s.

By the time I got to the top of the Gap, the TM2 was reading about 92, and the gauge was a couple of mm off the red zone. Naturally, I stopped and let it cool down whilst the wife fed the little fella. About 30 minutes later it was back down to the low 80s, so I continued. It stayed there until we reached our destination about 40 minutes later.

Now, the old girl was loaded up a fair bit, including a roof-rack full of swag, tent etc. and the back was full of gear also. This would have meant a couple of hundred kg extra weight tops, and a little bit of wind drag. I must also mention is was a warm day, around the mid 30s. A few other cars were pulled over at the top of the gap with engine temp problems also.

So, the question is, is this normal, or should I be getting it checked out at MR Auto (or anywhere better that someone can suggest on Bris northside)? I'm sort of hoping that it's not normal, because after cooking a 4.2 Toyota engine a few years ago, I never want to experience that again!

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 26th January 2010, 05:21 PM

Assuming its only just started getting hot and has been running fine up to now?

If its a V8 then I dont know... no experience there.

If its a tdi then you probably need to start looking at how to change the head gasket... Done several over the years, all start to go the same way and its usually between the back two pots.

The good news is if you catch it early there will be no long term problems - they are pretty tolerant in that regard. Just make sure you torque the head up properly.

Jon

**dullbird** · 26th January 2010, 05:26 PM

personally before you start panicking about a head gasket I would be inclined to get your radiator checked....

get it checked for external and internal blockages.....if you don't get your radiator serviced regulary this could more than likely be the cause. if you dont go off road and play in muddy water which can block it externally it can still get blocked inside by deposit build up from your coolant and the fact that old radiators over time do start breaking down internally.

I had the same thing on my disco sometime ago climed the big hill to the blue mountains by the time I got to the top it was almost in the red..pulled over let it cool down drove it home without the temperature guage moving.. took the radiator out 20% blocked internal and 90% blocked external from a recent trip in the muds (we thought we had washed it down obviously not well enough) so the car had no chance under load.

**Blknight.aus** · 26th January 2010, 05:31 PM

I'll back dull bird on this one, cooling system inspection and service first and then jump on the conclusions that come from that.

**The ho har's** · 26th January 2010, 05:47 PM

Sooo where did you go camping then

We had a good time

Mrs hh

**justinc** · 26th January 2010, 05:54 PM

Like Dave and DB say, anything around 20% blockage with a Td1 it'll get hot up hills etc. Get it rodded out and check the viscous fan hub BEFORE it gets hot enough to blow a head gasket

JC

**Ranga** · 26th January 2010, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by The ho har's

Sooo where did you go camping then

We had a good time

Mrs hh

Just did an impromptu trip to Gordon Country, once we realised we had a few days to kill after all.

Would have loved to have gone to Rover Park though... maybe net time

**Ranga** · 26th January 2010, 07:04 PM

Any recommendations on a good radiator place on the north side of Brisbane? Maybe I should just call MR and see if they can check it or recommend someone.

**woody** · 26th January 2010, 07:16 PM

G'day,

Funny thing is that I had a similar thing happen last Wednesday on the way home from work so I stopped and checked the coolant level to find it was down a little. Being paranoid and protective of my little girl I stopped off at my mechanic for him to find a weeping welch plug and the seam in the coolant tank leaking.

hopefully my little girl gets out of hospital tomorrow

**slug_burner** · 26th January 2010, 09:00 PM

I would not panic, a hill climb will push up the temp on any vehicle. 92C doesn't sound like the end of the world. Most pressurised systems will get up above 110C.

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