Topic: why is this (Read 5343 times)

Dave · « **on:** June 28, 2005, 21:55:29 »

What is it that makes an engine over heat when towing. or more to the point how do you stop it doing it. :?

Manicminer · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2005, 21:57:04 »

Stick an electric fan on it.

robbie · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2005, 21:58:36 »

or stop towing :)

strapping young lad · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:02:22 »

it overheats as your engine has to work harder to pull the extra weight, and as its working harder it gets hotter.

also a contributing factor is the temperature of the air outside, as the radiator relies on this to cool the fins, which in turn cool the water to keep the engine cool.

if you towed in sub-zero temperatures it would be easy, but as it is towing this time of year the air is quite warm and isnt as efficient in cooling the radiator.

as has been said before, an electric fan will help in forcing air through the radiator to cool it.

johnniep · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:06:05 »

also you not moveing throught the air as fast, thus meaning that there isnt as mich air going throught the rad!
eectric fans is the best option, dont go kenlow or anything drastic, go for more like a scrapyard job, and wire it yourself o na separateswitch!

cheers
j.p

chuggaman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:16:07 »

Quote from: "Dave"

What is it that makes an engine over heat when towing. or more to the point how do you stop it doing it. :?

i guess i should thank my lucky stars that i dont have that problem

i tow a 3/12 ton ifor williams trailor all day and as yet no probs with a 200 tdi

strapping young lad · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:27:51 »

dave

what are you towing and what with?

chuggaman is right though, a 200tdi is a cold running engine so it should tow fine.

i see yours is one too, what condition is the radiator in?

i had to put a new one in mine last year as the fins had rusted and driving back from langley farm in '03 the car did NOT like the m62 over the top...

Dave · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:36:00 »

Sorry also the revs went a bit erratic dropped down and then reved up there was a light that came on as well but i carnt remember which one. as i am asking for a friend and forgot which he said. :roll: I will ask tomorrow.

Ps it has been hot thought 8)

Dave · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:41:38 »

Quote from: "strapping young lad"

dave

what are you towing and what with?

chuggaman is right though, a 200tdi is a cold running engine so it should tow fine.

i see yours is one too, what condition is the radiator in?

i had to put a new one in mine last year as the fins had rusted and driving back from langley farm in '03 the car did NOT like the m62 over the top...

ps not mine.
Its a 200 tdi and he was towing a car transporter with about 1.5 tons on it. Not sure about the rad but knowing him it will be in good nic.

Wanderer · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2005, 22:48:19 »

With mine it's usually a combination of

warm air anyway
Mud in the radiator
Shock off lights in front of the grill and
Winch solenoid box in front of the grill.

Ed

muddyweb · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2005, 07:32:27 »

Just to echo what has been said....

The Tdi ought to be able to tow all day in the UK without problems...

Some of the common causes :

Blocked or dirty radiator
Badly sealed cooling system (cap, hoses, etc)
Faulty Viscous Fan
Restricted Airflow because of accessories
Someone has "adjusted" the fuelling / turbo boost
Just trying to go too fast when towing ;-)
Low coolant levels
Weak anti-freeze mix (Anti-freeze improves the cooling efficiency)
Faulty Water Pump

My advice would be to check the condition of the cooling system and make sure it is clean and sealed properly. A garage can do a pressure test on it.

Check and / or change the coolant and make sure you have the right concentration of anti-freeze

Make sure the viscous fan is doing its job.. it should be nice and stiff when hot. (Check with the engine switched off ;-))

If the person towing is driving with their foot hard on the throttle all the time, then this will cause a lot more heat to be pumped into the engine, as the turbo is working hard all the time. (This can also be caused if the turbo has been adjusted away from standard). Backing off the throttle a bit can make the world of difference.

Assuming all of the above checks out a supplementary electric fan will help.

Porny · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2005, 07:40:34 »

Quote

Assuming all of the above checks out a supplementary electric fan will help

But a good condtion 200Tdi shouldn't need one in this country....
If you fit a electric supplementary fan all you will be doing is masking a problem, not fixing it.

The Discovery has been tested by Land Rover in much hotter climates than here, if they'd found a need for an extra fan, they would have fitted one.

My 90, when it was a 200Tdi, would happily tow 2.5 - 3 tonne all day without getting too hot.... even at motorway speeds.
That was completely standard apart from a 'tweaked' pump and a higher turbo boost pressure.

Ian

muddyweb · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2005, 07:49:42 »

Quote from: "muddyweb"

The Tdi ought to be able to tow all day in the UK without problems...

:-k I just said that.

Porny · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2005, 08:03:49 »

oopps.... missed that bit :roll: #-o

Dave · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2005, 09:31:25 »

Thanks i will pass that on. The disco never goes off road purely for working on the road he bought it for towing so it does need sorting. Been trying to get him to join and ask him self.

Thank's for the advice. :D

Henry Webster · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2005, 10:12:57 »

Its sometimes difficult to spot problems with the Rad - I had overheating issues when towing last year and with a cursory investigation of the rad it looked not too bad, but changed it anyway and it solved the problem.

muddyweb · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2005, 10:26:21 »

Radiator cores can 'fuzz up' just like a kettle with the right conditions, and this will reduce the efficiency.... so it is a possibility

Dave · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2005, 13:19:23 »

Right then the light i spoke about was the oil pressure light, he also said the revs dropped to almost stall but when it had cooled down it was fine again. Would the rad make it do that :?:

Wanderer · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2005, 14:50:11 »

If it's overheating badly then the oil may be losing it's properties and not keeping the pressure up. Does he do regular oil changes?

Normally when overheating I get the red temp warning light flashing and my wallet then says stop and let it cool or do something about it.

Usually it's get the mud out of the radiator fins on the way back from a playday.

Ed

Range Rover Blues · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2005, 02:05:50 »

Overheating, low oil pressure. that sound nasty. Does it have the oil cooler in the rad like a 3.9?

rokcrawlin · « **Reply #20 on:** July 03, 2005, 05:49:39 »

might be a sticky thermostat or even a blown head gasket developing or could be a trailer problem ie sticky brakes possibly caused by lack of grease on the tow head

Gary · « **Reply #21 on:** July 03, 2005, 17:18:52 »

Hi there

a friend of mine suggested that i should use distilled water to mix with my anti freeze for the coolant system.

We do have quite a hard water supply from our taps :shock:

Is this a good idea to stop radiators furring up? :roll:

regards, gary :)

this is not an attempt to hi-jack this thread, i just thought it might be relevant if the heating problem turned out to be caused by a fury rad

Dave · « **Reply #22 on:** July 03, 2005, 19:14:16 »

Quote from: "Range Rover Blues"

Overheating, low oil pressure. that sound nasty. Does it have the oil cooler in the rad like a 3.9?

Yes andrew it does. what are you thinking :?

News:

AuthorTopic: why is this (Read 5343 times)