Brian B (QLD) replied:

Hi,

My son has a 91 Terrano RM3 powered by the 2.7 Turbo Diesel engine.

His car has one thermo fan situated on the normal side of the radiator and an additional one situated outside the radiator behind the grille. We didn't install this as it was on the car when he got it. The only change we made is that originally it had its own switch but as a safety measure we wired it up to the ignition circuit. From his temp readings especially when in 4x4 mode, it makes a great difference.

These cars do run hot that's for sure. Our mechanic also has advised us that it would be a good idea to install a temp sensor that can measure head temperature to support the existing gauge that measures water temp.

I can't comment on the radiator mod as we haven't done that.

Currently my son runs Bridgestone Duellers on his and he is happy enough with them.

Our mechanic charges around $200.00 to service the car. This is an average only as it varies at different intervals.

Cheers

Brian

Rob! replied:

Brian,

Have you tried adding some extra silicon oil ($11 from toyota) to the fan clutch. Many people swear by it. I replaced my "fan clutch/water pump" a few weeks ago and added the extra oil. Mine didn't run too hot previously but there definately was an improvement.

R.

SantaAus replied:

Brian,

At the moment i am i the middle of fiddling with the cooling system in my td27 Terrano. Firstly you will need to replace the termostat with one rated at 87.5 degrees (Aust standard). Redo the silicon grease in your fan hub. (Or install twin electric thermo fans which I will be doing soon) I will be installing a new temp. gauge and exhaust temp gauage to monitor the temp from that point of view. I would suggest installing a new radiator, i am going over kill and installing a 4 core KING CORE radiator. Which hopefully should help keep temps down. I wil re-post when i have any more info on the system. Also Dragon has done a cooling system overhaul in his Terrano. do a search on this forum.

SantaAus

SantaAus replied:

UPDATE

What I had to do was get a 4 core made up, it did not increase the width of the core from standard (45mm) but increases the surface area, for better cooling. Being an import you might have to go this way.
One thing that I forgot, to test your fan clutch, when it is hot, turn the engine OFF and try and rotate the fan by hand, if it is easy to move or free running, then your clutch is stuffed, if it is stiff it should be ok, I found this out today and realised that my clutch is stuffed, a new unit will cost around the $300 mark. I have heard that a twin thermo fan setup out od a 80's model Range Rover should fit in.

SantaAus

hoyks replied:

I have a T2 and have done all the cooling stuff listed above, replaced water pump and re-siliconed clutch, new thermostat, flushed block, fitted a new Nissan radiator (was cheaper than getting a re-core) and lastly fitted a 10" electric fan in front of the radiator. It has been running warmer than I liked ever since I fitted a bullbar.

The electric fan just made the airconditioning a tad cooler, but did buggerall to the normal opperating temp. Last time I took it out to the beach I almost boiled it, but this weekend just gone it was a lot better. Only difference was I left the car on the lawn with the sprinkler spraying into the airconditioner cooling core (unintentionaly) then gave it a good hose out. Was very suprised how much gunk came out and the temp hasn't climbed over halfway since.

Might be a place to look for some.

PS. I occasionaly have a look at a pomy site dedicated to Terranos and they complain of problems where their engines don't get warm enough.

Shaker replied:

Thanks!

Brian replied:

Thanks for all the helpfull comments you blokes
Rob : i had a new fan clutch fitted before our trip to Tassie last March so not sure if my mechanic used that Toyota silicon oil , must ask him .
Santa Aus : you certainly have gone to a lot of trouble , just hope it is worth it , give this forum a "hoy" for the results . I have read somewhere that the cooling cannot be improved dramatically because of the small capacity of the water jacket , can any one comment on this please ?
Before my trip to Tassie last March i towed a camper trailer from WA and had no problem with the cooling till the big hill coming out of Adelaide and was i glad to see the turnoff to Handorf ( well worth a visit ) The Adelaide hill sure changed my Tas itinery , had to abandon planned west coast leg .
With the new rubber to go on the old girl i have decided on Firestone for $165 each , seems ok to me
Thanks again everyone
Brian