Defender getting hot towing

[Graz]

My 1999 130 TD5 is getting hot on hills (Welshpool Road East - Perth) when towing the Kimberly Karavan. Its chipped and on gas.
It blew a enough water out of the system to bring the low coolant alarm on. Not sure where the water went either as I can't see any staining. Hope it didn't make it into the cylinders. The temp on the Nanocom got up to 107 deg.

I have taken the radiator out with the intention of getting it rodded. A couple of the core tubes I can see through the hose adapters are clear which worries me a tad.
Has anyone fitted a tropical (larger) core or know an organization that fabricates or sells them.
Thanks

Graz

[justinc]

Graz, If you are working it hard, and there are NO external leaks, I would have to say it is a classic early Td5 head gasket leak.

A good test is to start from cold, drive up a reasonably steep hill, feed it into it a bit, (Not thrashing, just push it a little) and stop at the top. Check the cooling system for pressure, and especially see if there is a little bit of coolant in the end of the overflow tube...
There should be minmal pressure, as the engine shouldn't yet be a operating temp. If the top hose feels hard, and unusually hig in pressure, then it isn't a good sign.


JC

[Graz]

Graz, If you are working it hard, and there are NO external leaks, I would have to say it is a classic early Td5 head gasket leak.

A good test is to start from cold, drive up a reasonably steep hill, feed it into it a bit, (Not thrashing, just push it a little) and stop at the top. Check the cooling system for pressure, and especially see if there is a little bit of coolant in the end of the overflow tube...
There should be minmal pressure, as the engine shouldn't yet be a operating temp. If the top hose feels hard, and unusually hig in pressure, then it isn't a good sign.


JC

Hi JC
A while ago I cooked it big time (it was smoking hot). I had the head repaired. They skimmed a few thou off it and they said it passed the hardness test. I refitted it with new Gasket and new head bolts which is why I am surprised that I would have the classic TD5 walking head problem again so soon. It has only done around 20,000 k's since the overhaul. It was a hot afternoon around 34 deg when I was towing the van.
Anyway I'll try what you suggest once I get the rad back in.
How much does a new head cost I wonder, a nasty little surprise expense just before I head for Tassie on L/service!!
Regards
Graz

[Rosscoe68]

mine (D2 TD5) has been running hot on hills towing since i have had it, regularly gets to 99 and occasionally 100 according to nanocom. non towing goews up perth hills no probs and 92-93, towing, 98-99 up the hills.
i have recently resigned to the fact that my TD5 gets hot towing up hills, and just take it easy.

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Graz
Do you have an EGT fitted??

Running gas, i would look at the temp its running at. I would alsp be looking at the gas tune.
Gas provides a pre compression flame front for the diesel injection to ignite against. The end result is the ignition temp with gas is higher than with just diesel injection.
Theoretically the gas is supposed to require a lesser amount of diesel ie less throttle to make the same power and improve the combustion efficiency but burn temp is increased and add more fuel, it gets hotter, add a chip it gets hotter still.

I have been in the diesel game for a while now and the diesel gas combination is still fraught with dangers. Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel have dual fuel variants but they never run both at the same time. I have seen far too many dual setups with big holes where piston crowns used to be, cracks in heads big enough to operate a pensioner tour through and remnants of exhaust valves and shattered turbine blades rattling around in mufflers all due to way over the top EGT temps.

Maybe turn off the gas if you can and see if it makes a difference.
And if you dont have an EGT gauge, get one.

Cheers

Andrew

[Graz]

Took the rad in to get rodded. The dude advised that the radiator cores were around 45% blocked. In the process of rodding the tubes they gave way due internal corrosion and the rad started leaking like a sieve.
New rad $540.
When I purchased the 130 the coolant was the green stuff not red OAT, probably why the rad is stuffed.
So the overheating problem may be solved for now though it still worries me where that coolant went to.
I will do as you suggest when I get it back together (renewing the hoses as well. Man that's an expensive exercise!)
Thanks
Graz

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

When I purchased the 130 the coolant was the green stuff not red OAT, probably why the rad is stuffed.

Most likely. The use of ally cores is why OAT is specified.

I have CAT coolant if you want to drop in and pick up a few. Think i can say that now im a Vendor...

Cheers

Andrew

[Tombie]

Firstly. 106'c isn't hot if the cooling system is sealing correctly.

Falcons get up to over 130'c on a hot day.

Secondly. Gassed and Chipped!!! Got an EGT gauge? I'm betting towing in 34'c it was getting very warm inside that motor.

I'd also ask what dowels were fitted when the head was replaced? Did they fit a genuine gasket?

As to your radiator question. Yes an all alloy more capacity radiator is available.

[Graz]

Firstly. 106'c isn't hot if the cooling system is sealing correctly.

Falcons get up to over 130'c on a hot day.

Secondly. Gassed and Chipped!!! Got an EGT gauge? I'm betting towing in 34'c it was getting very warm inside that motor.

I'd also ask what dowels were fitted when the head was replaced? Did they fit a genuine gasket?

As to your radiator question. Yes an all alloy more capacity radiator is available.

Tombie

Definitely going to fit an EGT. Where abouts are the probes normally fitted? I fitted the probe just pre turbo on my D1 (200TDI). On the D1 1300 deg F is the max, I assume the TD5 would be around the same.
I refitted the head using a laminate steel gasket I purchase from Rovacraft, I assume it was Landrover.
The head had plastic dowels. I am of the view that the dowels are for assembly only, so hold everything in the right place before the head bolts are torqued down, once the head bolts are fully torqued down and clamp the hole thing together the dowels play no further part.
Regards
Graz

[fender22]

Just noticed there you guys suggest OAT coolant. Is that the red or the green stuff?
I just had my radiator replaced and they filled it with Green Glycol. I'd hope they'd know to put the right stuff in? I have a Rover 75 and I know it takes the red fluid