91 300D overheated in the mountains

[Helga Berrang]

We were driving up a very steep mountain. The temperature gauge kept going higher and higher. Suddenly steam came out the front. the radiator hose had come off under the pressure and we lost water and anti freeze. we waited for the engine to cool off, repaired the hose, added water and antifreeze, about a gallon in all. We turned around and found a less steep way to get where we were going. the rest of the trip we were careful not to go up hill too long. It did not overheat again. The 3 hour trip home was o.k. It was all down hill and flat. We even could use the AC. We noticed that the fan that usually was on in idle was not working any more. Anybody have an idea what is wrong?

[t walgamuth]

the hose broken or did it just slip off the neck? it seems to me that the car must have lost the hose and fluid. getting so hot it blows the hose doesnt seem likely. if the hoses are sound and fastened on good the car should be able to overheat wo blowing any off.

tom w

[Helga Berrang]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

the hose broken or did it just slip off the neck? it seems to me that the car must have lost the hose and fluid. getting so hot it blows the hose doesnt seem likely. if the hoses are sound and fastened on good the car should be able to overheat wo blowing any off.

tom w

I believe the hose was not on tight. I think the real problem is the fan not coming on. I read some of the threads, but would like to know what to check first if the aux fan is not coming on. Some fans are working.

[Helga Berrang]

thanks, I believe the hose was not on right, it just came off.
the fan that we always heard before is not working. How do you fix that problem?

[rallen]

if there is one fan and if it doubles up for the A/C too, then switch on the A/C and the fan should start immediately. that is a trick in case the temperature sensor or other circuitry is not starting the fan when it should. Also get it investigated because many times what the temp. gauge shows is not what the engine temp is really like, if there is bad coolant circulation or bubbles then you can develop localised hot spots which can easily crack the head or blow the gasket.

[bill]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

the hose broken or did it just slip off the neck? it seems to me that the car must have lost the hose and fluid. getting so hot it blows the hose doesnt seem likely. if the hoses are sound and fastened on good the car should be able to overheat wo blowing any off.

tom w

Does Auxiliary Water Pump useful for reducing overheat?
Can I replace the expansion plastic tank with a bigger one on my 300E86? What is compatible?

[t walgamuth]

is to provide adequate circulation for the heater, i think. as such it is not a normal part of the cooling system but is useful as an emergency aid to reduce temp when another failure is causing high temps. ie turn on the heater will increase the cooling capacity of the system by throwing engine heat into the pass comp.

tom w

[bill]

I can not use heater because of environment 45c.
So I need a solution for increasing amount of coolant