Thread: TD5 - stopping the top radiator hose rub on air-conditioning compressor

Originally Posted by akula

My advice, following potentially cooking my motor, get genuine parts and learn how and where to check the condition of the hoses and do not rely on mechanics (car regularly serviced at least x4 times by non-LR mechanic - none in Moree/Tamworth) to warn of problems.

My advice to you is that you need to get and fit a low water sensor - it would have alerted you instantly when this occurred resulting in the ability to quickly pull over and shut the engine off and no overheating or resulting damage likely.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

My advice to you is that you need to get and fit a low water sensor - it would have alerted you instantly when this occurred resulting in the ability to quickly pull over and shut the engine off and no overheating or resulting damage likely.

I should have mentioned that I did/do have an Engine Saver brand low coolant alarm already installed (you may be able to see the loose cable for the sender/sensor in of one of the pics). I hadn't had a chance to put in the sensor thing in the bleed screw thing yet - I hadn't filled up with coolant or bled the system when pic was taken.

Interestingly/disturbingly the low coolant alarm did not go off at any time while the motor was running. I had noted around 4-6 degrees higher than usual temps though, but I misattributed that to the temp that day (~38 deg), the full loaded car, and the box trailer (empty) I was towing. It went off only after I had shut off the motor when I had lunch. Following that I called NRMA and did not turn on the car. Just before shutdown the block temp was 94 deg and the coolant temp (via Nanocom) was 91 deg. Unfortunately I didn't have the Nanocom running throughout the trip (I turned it on to clear the 3 Amigos).

The other potential rub point is on the high pressure A/C line. Mine rubbed through a couple of years ago and robbed me of my gas.

It's shown here with the cable tie and 'protective' sheath in place to minimise future issues. In light of the reminder about the correct alignment of hoses I'll check my breather hose and see if an alignment problem is contributing.

Another spot to watch out for in relation to A/C (and I don't have a photo of this sorry) is where one of the A/C lines runs through the passenger side of the grille and enters the headlight cavity. Where mine had been sitting in the (damp) foam that surrounds the horn it had corroded away (sand and salty water would've contributed too undoubtedly)

I had the line repaired with a longer section of high pressure rubber hose so that there's no corrosion possible in that area.

Has anyone else considered making the "T" out of stainless/copper/ally and extending it to the hard line that runs along the side of the head towards the rear of the engine?



Esentiallly ridding the top hose of that T Piece join visable in the pic above, and, giving U somewhere else to mount a temp sender, low water pickup.