High running temp

[Fig]

Hi all,

I’ve got an M59 van, 1.4 non air con, and it’s running too hot.
The van when driving sits at just under 90 deg c, but as soon as I hit traffic it runs up to about 98 and is totally reliant on the rad fan to avoid boiling up.

I’ve changed the coolant temp sensor and the relay, and I’ve flushed and refilled the coolant about 5 times, and it does the same every time. Coolant level is correct, oil level good. The only thing I can see is that the fan only ever runs flat out. I’ve never seen it run at a lower speed.

Any advice would be very gratefully received.

[Fig]

Forgot to add I have replaced the thermostat twice, just to be sure.

[Kieron G]

One of our family 1.8 petrol berlingos is doing a similar thing but not as extreme. I changed head gasket recently through my own stupidity having to replace 3 bent exhaust valves. when changing timing belt I ran engine without front pulley to check if covers were rubbing and keyway dropped out for toothed gear. Anyway I know that water pump is new and galleries clear in block and head. Will try running without thermostat but think I might need to replace the radiator although it looks OK I think it might be scaled up

[oilyrag]

Forgot to add I have replaced the thermostat twice, just to be sure.

Have you carried out the correct bleeding procedure as air locks can cause issues such as yours - the coolant level will look good but the engine will overheat - the rad fan is single speed - either on or off.

[Buki]

I hit traffic it runs up to about 98 and is totally reliant on the rad fan to avoid boiling up.

This is the normal operation on all M59-s. When driving in a traffic it reaches 97-98 deg , the fan starts to spin and lowers the temperature to 90. And again, again... As long as it does not exceed 98, that's OK.

[geoff]

Only had a diesel Berlingo ( x 3 ) and normal temp for those was 82* most all the time, only a few occasions did they ever rise above 85* and maybe once to 90*

Given what you've done already I'd be looking to replace the radiator, they are cheap enough on eBay, a quick look reveals pricing starting circa £35 Should be a quick and easy swap over.

[Buki]

I had a M59 diesel from new, sold with 215,000 miles. From the day one, when driving on a level road 82 deg, in a traffic the temperature rises to 97, the fan lowers it to 90 and again rises to 97 and again lowers ... Driving uphill + hot weather - up to 105 deg.

I never replaced any part in the cooling system.

[Fig]

Thanks for all the replies, I obviously didn’t have notifications on because I missed them. But I found a vid on YouTube that showed a bleed screw on the side of the block obscured by the air filter housing. Now it’s bled properly I am hoping for a slightly cooler run. But a CV joint has dried up in the meantime so I’ll have to sort that out before I use the van in anger. The van has sat idle for years, so I’m gonna hit a few hurdles in the next few months.