Big Pat Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hi. My 300tdi overheats when run for a while at around 55 mph. It never gets really over the top as I put the heater on and it maintains at around the half way up on the gauge. However the infallible weather forecasters are predicting higher temperatures in the near future and I do not relish sitting in a 100 degree plus sweat-box. I only recently bought it and the previous owner did off-road it. The rad looks to be a bit choked up with mud. Is this a likely cause? If so how would you suggest best dealing with it? Obviously I would prefer not to take the rad out if I could avoid it. Is a jet washer likely to damage the rad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 It's quite possible the rad is simply rotten - the fins go over time and the efficiency decreases until it can no longer keep up with engine output. It may be that, or a viscous fan that is u/s, or both. I had to replace my old 300 rad at about 10 years, once you got it out there were hardly any fins left in it between the bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithjh Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Hi. My 300tdi overheats when run for a while at around 55 mph. It never gets really over the top as I put the heater on and it maintains at around the half way up on the gauge. However the infallible weather forecasters are predicting higher temperatures in the near future and I do not relish sitting in a 100 degree plus sweat-box. I only recently bought it and the previous owner did off-road it. The rad looks to be a bit choked up with mud. Is this a likely cause? If so how would you suggest best dealing with it? Obviously I would prefer not to take the rad out if I could avoid it. Is a jet washer likely to damage the rad? Taking the rad out is really the only way to make sure, its only a 10 minute job to do. They have a habit of looking fine from the front but on inspection out of the vehicle you can see the rot easily. Take it out and make sure. Regards Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Replace the rad before youre head goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Pat Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share Posted May 23, 2012 Thanks folks will have it out the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Pat Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share Posted May 26, 2012 Hi again. I didn't get a chance to get the rad out yet but jet washed it out a bit. I noticed that although the temperature was at half way the electric fans did not cut in. Can anyone suggest what could cause this? Should they have cut in at that level? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 They are the aircon fans only cut in when really getting hot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Pat Posted May 27, 2012 Author Share Posted May 27, 2012 Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_s Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 while you have the rad out, try and flush the insides out too, it could be blocked internally. also change your thermostat while it's drained, that might not be opening fully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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