Overheating Question

G'day mate,
What motor do you have? I checked your Rig Profile etc, but it doesn't say what donk.
Anyway, in my case, I have never noticed the temp go up when sand driving......but I always ALWAYS use low range when driving in sand.....even did the whole Simpson Desert crossing from Big Red to Purnie Bore in low range. Temp guage sat on normal/85oC the whole time.....and that was towing the camper trailer etc. I kept revs to around the 2000 to 2500 mark. The issues I've had with my temp guage are VERY WELL documneted on here, but slow slogging in sand is never a problem.....only high speed and hill climbing etc.
I would also mention that i let my tyres down to 16psi for sand work....always.
Cheers
Roachie

3 litre or 4.2?

My 4.2GQ doesnt like doing heavy work on warm days. Temp goes up to 110 in no time. Also does not like long uphill runs.

Still, even when she's hot, I can put my hand on the radiator without getting burnt....LOL

It’s a 4.5 petrol if I remember correctly from the supercharger question post from last year.

When was the last time you had the radiator Flushed or changed the Coolant?

Was it a hot day, hot day with A/C and labouring the engine at low speed can cause hot running.

It is the 4.5 and it was a hot day. I have never in the time I have had the car put new coolant and flushed the old stuff out....that might be something to do when I get back from the states I think

My 99 4.2td temp climbs steadily on big hills now but never did earlier on, My 2003 4.2 is steady as a rock, but its got that stupid radiator that hangs down to the ground like the petrol, but it works.. I read somewhere the 3.0l td radiator is 30 % bigger in area than the 4.2 tdi and the new petrol.. Why dont they just use one big radiator for all? Michael

Never had any overheating dramas with my 4.5 GU under any conditions.

Cooling system is regularily looked at.

It's really a matter of going through the basics. Do the inexpensive things first unless there is anything obviously wrong. Clean the radiator and descale the cooling system. Check thermostats, fan hub, hoses for any softness (especially lower radiator one, which can collapse and block off). Check engine tune, exhaust restrictions. If the oil gets filthy, sludging can restrict oil flow under pistons, which is essential for cooling. If so, that would require flushing the crankcase.

People often spend $3000-$4000 by just doing all the major items first, only to find that a lot of their money is wasted. If it has got worse since new, some part of the system is failing. A big core radiator may over ride the issue, but not correct it.

Hope these comments help.

Sorry about the late reply, I am back in the US now...long flight full of crying babies. I will check everything when I get back and hopefully sort it out. A couple of months ago I was out at cruiser park and did some mud work and the whole engine got covered in mud. I did give everything a good clean with the high pressure hose and had it spraying very long on the radiator until the brown water turned clear...but maybe there is still some mud caked on somewhere. But thanks for the advise