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Furball



Member Since: 31 Jan 2016
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Warm weather driving
Hi, I'm taking my Defender to France and will stray into Italy briefly in August - just as they are enjoying the European heatwave!

Can anyone recommend anything to prepare the vehcile for the hot weather? Coolant change, fuses for the fan...anything else?

I have a 2015, 2.2 Puma with A/C, 30k miles, regularly serviced, last service was March.

Thanks in advance, JB
Post #1000503 17th Jul 2023 12:21pm
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SteveG



Member Since: 29 Nov 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 656

2005 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Belize Green
When did you last have the air con re-gassed? Should be done every 2-3 years.

Same for coolant, when was this last changed, this should be done every 4 years.

Otherwise you should be fine.
Post #1000505 17th Jul 2023 12:34pm
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
As above, but full service before you go, plus if you have not already got it - window glass tinting. Really keeps the internal temps down.
Post #1000506 17th Jul 2023 12:40pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3220

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Good to ensure that the viscous coupling for the engine fan is working as it should.
A windshield sun reflector while parked up can make some difference to the cabin temperature for when you get in. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1000507 17th Jul 2023 12:43pm
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Furball



Member Since: 31 Jan 2016
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Hi Steve
'When did you last have the air con re-gassed? Should be done every 2-3 years' - no record, so now will book it in!
'Same for coolant, when was this last changed, this should be done every 4 years' - done in the last service in Feb.
Thanks for replying so quickly - really helpful
Post #1000510 17th Jul 2023 12:53pm
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Furball



Member Since: 31 Jan 2016
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Thanks all for your comments, really appreciated.
Post #1000513 17th Jul 2023 1:04pm
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swt



Member Since: 24 Aug 2018
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 149

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
I have found the Nakatanenga viscous fan Spacer (purchased from 4x4Overlander) has made a real difference to excessive heat under load (2.4 TDCi, but I believe the 2.2 also benefits).
Post #1000523 17th Jul 2023 1:36pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4000

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Just a hot weather driving technique tip. The Puma’s have loads of torque and there is always the temptation to keep revs really low, under 2000rpm. If the temps are very high, say 40c+ I would let it rev out a bit, maybe use a gear lower than usual on climbs.

The reason: I was in Spain during a serious heatwave (it was 45c one day!) in 2019 and on the very hot days I was suffering it going in to limp mode on long mountain climbs. By using a lower gear and keeping the revs up around 2500+ I could avoid it, whether that was because the fan or water pump was spinning faster or some other reason, I don’t know, but it worked. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #1000526 17th Jul 2023 1:50pm
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swt



Member Since: 24 Aug 2018
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 149

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
+1 for that advice. Coasting down French motorways in 6th gear during July and August, we would regularly experience a loss of power. It took a while to realise that changing down into 5th was actually better.

It's good advice going uphill while towing too. Even if the engine seems to be managing, it's often getting hotter than it needs to.
Post #1000553 17th Jul 2023 4:33pm
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2237

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
See my thread here https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic80452.html

Which ended like this Laughing


Click image to enlarge
[img][/img] > 110 XS Double Cab
> Instagram @simonlanemind
Post #1000560 17th Jul 2023 5:04pm
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andy2111



Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 HT Bonatti Grey
+1 for window tinting. Just got back from the Pyrenees having had the windows tinted last year having roasted on a similar trip the year before and it makes a massive difference.

Also my floor, seat box and gearbox tunnel were turning into red hot radiators after a couple of hours driving so I put some thermal insulation on the panels and installed the Wright Off-road matting. This makes a massive difference and means your aircon isn't fighting a battle with a big radiator. Also reduces noise levels considerably as a bonus TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop
Post #1000590 17th Jul 2023 8:15pm
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Jabberwocky



Member Since: 27 Oct 2021
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 197

Luxembourg 
Does the Puma have a viscous fan like the TD5? If so check it, I had overheating issues on the way back from my recent trip to Albania, turns out it was the viscous fan, it’s was turning fine on idle but as soon as the engine was put under strain it was stopping. Take the guard off, start the engine and with a balled up rag gently apply pressure to the top of the fan, slowly increase the pressure, if the fan fights back and keeps turning you are ok. If you can stop the fan with a rag, change it, immediately.

Fortunately I took as spare fan with me as a precaution so could just change it once it was obvious I had an issue, apparently you can bodge them with cable ties.
Post #1000612 17th Jul 2023 9:29pm
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Ianh



Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 1809

United Kingdom 
Great advice from everyone

The coolant change interval is actually 10 years or 120k miles, but can’t harm changing earlier.
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic88231.html?highlight=coolant

In addition to the above change your diff oils, check and top up your swivel grease, it’s so called filled for life but does need topping up. Give the prop UJs a good grease, given yours is a 2015 I think the prop sliders don’t have a grease nipple, as once again filled for life!

Check when your transfer box oil was last changed, if near 2 years old change it. For belts and braces I would change the gearbox oil as well, but that’s me going over the top again.
Post #1000616 17th Jul 2023 9:46pm
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
I know this is not vehicle related, but it is driver related. In that sort of heat you will need to hydrate small and often. On long trips in hot weather I use a water bladder (Camelback or other) stored in the seat back pocket with the hose wrapped around the side of the cubby box. The seat keeps the water cool and I find it significantly more convenient than swigging from a bottle whilst keeping one eye on the road.

It is a small thing, but it makes the long hot haul much more comfortable. Thought I would share Thumbs Up

Also, if you have any holes in the seat box or transmission tunnel from missing bolts (for example if the centre dickie seat has been removed) then fill those holes as the air that comes up through them is very vey hot when the transmission is working hard.
Post #1000648 18th Jul 2023 8:06am
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5431

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
For the cost and ease I always changed my diff, transfer, and gearbox oils before big euro holidays. Long motorway journeys get them hot, they are expensive items, and as said easy to change before. It also gives you the chance to see the health of the box, by what comes out.
Post #1000657 18th Jul 2023 9:04am
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