06 1.9d Van overheats uphill

[Kid80]

Hi all, I'm hoping someone might be able to suggest something to sort this problem. The van drives well but it seems to have a temperature problem. When sat left running the temperature will rise to about 95 fan will kick in and out. On the motorway it seems to sit at around 75 and when you put your foot down it'll rise up to 90-95. But on hills it seems to just go up and up sometimes to just below the red line. First of all is this normal as my other vehicle just sits at normal no matter what, and if it is not normal any suggestions?


thanks!

[Col]

Have you checked coolant level and condition? If it's brown and sludgy, the Rad probably needs flushing.

[Tomcat3]

The thermostat could be stuck so not letting full flow and the whole system could need a good flush out. As suggested rad could have a blockage are the fins bent and stopping air flow. When was the coolant last changed.

[bikergraham]

Hi all, I'm hoping someone might be able to suggest something to sort this problem. The van drives well but it seems to have a temperature problem. When sat left running the temperature will rise to about 95 fan will kick in and out. On the motorway it seems to sit at around 75 and when you put your foot down it'll rise up to 90-95. But on hills it seems to just go up and up sometimes to just below the red line. First of all is this normal as my other vehicle just sits at normal no matter what, and if it is not normal any suggestions?


thanks!

I assume its an older vehicle.Has anybody had leaking problems with the rad and added "rad seal" or similar.Some brands can actually block the waterways in the rad and create more problems than it cures.I would start by giving the rad a good long flush with a garden hose [remove top and bottom hose ] and check to see what comes out.No need to remove it at this stage.Also check the fan thermostat is operating correctly by putting a meter across it and dunking it in boiling water,it sometimes has a switching temperature stamped on it or check it out in a Haynes manual.Are both fans operating ? Last of all and im not trying to be facetious but is your rad filled with just plain water,this can cause rust in the block and the rust can then circulate and create blocked passages.

[Kid80]

It's an 06 van with full service history. I suppose technically that does make it old but it has only done 75k. The fluid in the expansion tank is pink and not sludgy. As far as the radweld I couldn't tell you as I've only had the van a month or two.

[bikergraham]

It's an 06 van with full service history. I suppose technically that does make it old but it has only done 75k. The fluid in the expansion tank is pink and not sludgy. As far as the radweld I couldn't tell you as I've only had the van a month or two.

Mmmm. OK. Assuming that the services had been done by a reputable garage then we have to assume that the Anti freeze has been checked and replaced as and when necessary,according to the maintenance schedule.Anti freeze can be either pink or green depending on make and quality but the fact that the water is pink and you have a full service history can virtually rule out rust circulating,but maybe doesnt rule out the use of proprietary leak sealers.A mate of mine seriously damaged his engine by the use of a " quality sealer" by blocking the galleries in the rad.He owns and runs his own garage in Exeter so knows what he's doing and even he got caught out.
 OK where do we go from here ? I understand that cost is a major problem and no one likes to waste money,it makes me wonder if the previous owner passed the vehicle on due to this problem developing,perhaps you would be able to contact him from the address on the log book and ask ! Anyway at this stage personally i wouldnt hesitate to give the rad a good and thorough flush as i suspect that is where the problem lies. Are you able to return the vehicle to the seller,did you purchase it from a garage or privately,if it was a private buy then it looks like its your problem to sort.Anyway after flushing the rad you can give it a good run without anti freeze quite safely but dont leave it out for too long,i'm talking through another winter.A good garage can do a pressure flush but that costs and if your like me not trusting any garage i would always try myself.Cooling systems are very simple when you think about it,its a pump a few pipes and a radiator,now assuming the pump is ok,its very rare for the block to give problems the most obvious thing is the rad.Maybe if a flush doesnt do it then try getting a second hand one from your local scrap yard or ebay !

[Kid80]

I think I'll give it a flush and than go from there, thanks for a the help so far!

[ron]

As Tomcat suggests,it may be the thermostat.If you get one,Remove the old one before flushing as it allows a faster flow,& fit the new one.
If it still overheats,you'll know it's not the thermostat.

[bikergraham]

I think I'll give it a flush and than go from there, thanks for a the help so far!

Your welcome.Its a pity your not closer to me ,im in Plymouth,i would have popped over and given you a hand.
 I always have a look at the components that dont cost anything initially,but in a methodical way before i start any replacement process.To me that order would be dictated by the most obvious.
 I do hope you find the problem without any cost,i think for me anyway the order i would do things is - rad flush,- test.2nd hand rad replacement and whilst the rad is out replace the thermostat,this would be extremely rare and in the 40 plus years ive been driving ive never had one fail to open,but worth doing as its cheep,dont forget you will need a gasket as well to fit it. - test - next ,and most expensive and awkward to get at ,the water pump,i have seen these fail and partially pump,whilst this is out you must do the cam belt as this has to be removed anyway,be very careful this can be difficult and awkward.
 Something isnt right and these little jobs can be frustrating but there arent many components in a cooling system so you should be able to  D.I.Y. it given a little time.Good luck,do let me know how it goes.

[geoff]

Fitting a second hand radiator is folly when a new one is £29 delivered from eBay, just my thoughts.

Going further in some ways it isn't really worth the bother flushing when a radiator is so cheap and when you take the time for flushing and compare it to the time for radiator replacement coupled with the cost of radiator flush it makes sense to swap out and anyway you never get all of the crud out of a radiator by flushing anyway.