Unrelated to MB, need some assistance... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ashman · #1 05-03-2002, 10:06 PM

My brothers range rover is running hot.

We just had the coolant changed the other day.

I checked the mixture, and it is proper for the car.

The car under load on the engine gets hot. under minimal load, it stays cool.

I plan on changing out the Thermostat, and flushing the cooling system and replcing the coolant again.

I am hoping this will fix the problem, and T-stat is cheap anyway so not a big deal if it doesn't make a difference.

The only other thing I think it could be is the radiator or something in the cooling system has some kind of blockage.

I don't suspect the waterpump is the culprit.

Anyone have any ideas to help me troubleshoot this? I need the vehicle so I can tow my boat to the boat mechnic for repairs before summer comes, and I cannot tow 5500Lbs with the car running hot, I do not want to damage the head gaskets or the engine.

Thanks,

Alon

Ashman · #2 05-03-2002, 10:56 PM

hehehe bill.

Belive me my brother would love nothing more than for me to blow up the engine, so I can buy him a new one. He's replaced almost everything else ont he car, so why stop at the engine.

hehe

Alon

#3 05-03-2002, 11:50 PM

Alon,

Most likey the radiator is blocked. Also check the coolant cap. Some other things...the catalytic converter, viscous coupling.
Are you sure the gauge is correct?

Anyways, DO NOT drive if you can help it cause Range Rovers are VERY sensitive to overheating ($$$$).

good luck,

Shaun

Ashman · #4 05-04-2002, 12:30 AM

I managed to not let it get more than 3/4 on the gauge.

If it got near that point, I immediately pulled over and shut off the car, then let it cool down.

It took me 2 hours to get 5 miles.

I plan on flushing the radiator, changing thermostat, checking the belts, and testing the electric fans, which I believe are not turning on. I'm going to wire them to a toggle switch ont he dash to override the sensor that turns them on.

The cat is near new, only about a year old. so I doubt that has anything to do with it.

The viscous coupling was replaced within 6 months. like I said he has replaced almost everything, except the engine and radiator.

The problem started when my brother had the coolant changed. 2 weeks ago, I towed my car with it, and it was fine the whole time, and I drove twice the distance with my car on it 2 weeks ago, than I did today.

Even with the car trailer off the truck, the thing is still overheating as I would put it.

it heats up under load, which is why I suspecta blockage in the radiator.

But I will chaneg the thermostat anyway. If it isn't opening properly, it could cause the same symptoms I would think.

I'll let you all know how it goes. most times when I had a car overheat, it was the thermostat.

Alon

Ashman · #5 05-04-2002, 07:37 PM

ok, Range ROver should be fixed.

I pulled the thermostat housing off. The old thermostat looked orignial, and had some rust on it and I tested it in boiling water and it didn't budge for a long time. It finally opened after half the water had boiled away. It took a very long time. The new one opened much quicker than the old one.

The new thermostat is an 82 degree one vs the 88 degree one that was in there. Cleaned the thermostat housing and the gasket points, and put that sucker in. Refilled the radiator with fresh coolant and water mixture, and am yet to road test the car.

I wired up the electric fans to a toggle switch to bypass the thermal sensor because it appears that sensor is not working right.

I did the same thing in my MG. The thermal sensors that turn on the fans in these english cars I have found seem to work when they feel like it. the toggle switch overriding it when needed, works great. I highly recommend this as a safety insurance.

I might even do the same in the benz, just in case, but I know its not needed knowing the quality of the benz components.

I am going to do the same with the rolls as well. It definately needs to have this done as the fans in that car dont appear to kick on at all.

I could have hot wired them to be always on, but the toggle switch is so slick because you can control when it goes on or off, but it doesn't disconnect the thermal sensor, so if that is functioning correctly, the fans will still work on their own.

I'll let you know after I road test it. I also changed the plugs, and will change the oil after the road test when the oil is hot and ready to be drained and replaced.

I tested it after I wrote this. so I added the results. Temp stayed below halfway as it should be. Only a drive with a heavy load, I.E. The trailer will truly tell, but it appears to be ok now.

Alon

Ashman · #6 05-05-2002, 03:53 AM

Umm well its still overheating...

Next thing is to pull the radiator and have it flow tested.

Amd replace some hoses.

Anyone have any other ideas. Could the water pump cause it to overheat even if its pumping?

Its very strange. I think there is some blockage int he radiator. I will check it for cold spots, and I will pull it fromt he car, and give it a good flushing.

If need be, I'll take it to a radiator shop to be recored on monday.

Alon

Gary F. · #7 05-05-2002, 10:03 AM

Almost all of my overheating problems with any vehicle has been the thermostat. If you have a bad water pump, they generally leak, so check your fluid level in rad. Most radiator repair shops can run a test on your radiator and tell you if it is clogged up.
Good Luck!!!!

Ashman · #8 05-05-2002, 03:28 PM

The thermostat was justr replaced by me properly installed and all with a new one that openes at 82 degrees not 88 degrees ike the original one.

The car still ahs the same symptoms befor eI changed the thermostat. I believe there is a blockage somehwre, it would be the only thing I can think of that would explain the problem. Under idle the car doesn't over heat, but when there is a load, it does.

Even with the electric fans on, the car wont cool down enough.

The system appears to have a serious amount of pressure in it when it is overheating, moreso than any other car I have seen.

Alon

#9 05-05-2002, 03:36 PM

Alon,

Go back to my original post...It's specific to Range Rover Classics.
Also go to roversnorth.com's bbs. My gut feeling is that the radiator is bad/clogged.