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RedLemming

Member Since: 09 Mar 2018
Location: Bristol
Posts: 10

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Santorini Black

300tdi overheating on long climbs, next steps?

Hi all,
It would be great to get some pointers on an issue I have with my 300tdi Wolf overheating on long climbs over here in Norway, where LR garages are a bit thin on the ground...

Here's what I observe:
- Normal driving is ok. Temp just above half-way and stable
- On steep climbs (10% incline over 5km) the temp starts to rise to the red forcing me to stop
- Idling doesn't seem to bring the temp down, killing engine and waiting 20 mins with bonnet open

does eventually
- Trying the same climb in low gear with higher revs is no better
- Likewise, climbing at higher speed for better air flow only helps a tiny bit
- Driving onwards when I reach the peak brings the temp back down, even off-roading

My local garage gave up ("couldn't find a problem"

) when they took a look. Here's what I've checked:
- Coolant is topped up and can't see evidence of HG leaking into it, but am a novice at this stuff
- No leaks that I've found, cracks in pipes or dripping from radiator
- Viscous fan is turning, and doesn't turn freely when cool (that's good, I think?)
- Radiator is painted NATO green and some bent fins but don't seem too corroded

There is a specialist garage about 3 hours away that I'm going to try next, but as it is a PITA going back and forth, I want to make sure I'm asking for the right things. Here's what I have so far, assuming they don't spot something obvious themselves:

1) Change the thermostat
2) New radiator and fluids
3) Check/replace the water pump
4) New viscous fan

Anything else worth doing/checking? Could do with a steer here

Thanks!
-Jon

29th Jul 2023 2:00pm

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3210

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

Have you checked the rough temperatures of the top and bottom radiator coolant hoses? That would give a good indication of what the problem could be. Generally, the bottom hose could be felt a bit cooler than the top hose. If you have an Infra Red gun, then the better as you could read exact temperatures. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

29th Jul 2023 2:54pm

TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 795

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

Radiators have a life span. They can clog up inside and the fins loose their heat transfer ability. Fit a new radiator. No need to go for something too expensive, better to budget for a now one 10 years for now.

29th Jul 2023 5:09pm

Hazza

Member Since: 10 Jan 2011
Location: North Yorkshire / Leeds
Posts: 208

I'd agree with TexasRover, my 200tdi had similar symptoms and the unknown age radiator being replaced sorted it immediately. 1990 Defender 110 200TDI Camper - now converted to Td5 power

29th Jul 2023 8:01pm

RedLemming

Member Since: 09 Mar 2018
Location: Bristol
Posts: 10

Thanks folks, will prioritise a new radiator

@Dinnu I had a feel of the top and bottom pipes now and couldn't really tell the difference, will see if I can get hold of an IR gun.

30th Jul 2023 12:18am

jocklandjohn

Member Since: 16 Sep 2016
Location: Highlands
Posts: 62

Worth checking the temp gauge/sender to see if they are accurate. A cheap infra red gun is a real boon as you can motor about, see the indicated temp on the gauge and then stop to zap the hoses and block with the infra red gun and get a reasonable assessment of the various temps relative to the gauge readings. They are pretty cheap and worth having in your shed.

15th Aug 2023 6:08pm

jocklandjohn

Member Since: 16 Sep 2016
Location: Highlands
Posts: 62

Also meant to ask - is the 300 the same configuration as the 200 with the oil cooler in the radiator? If so that might be a contributor too - as the hotter the oil the more heat the block is going to have and need to be able to deal with via the coolant so if the radiator is generally *tired* then both oil and coolant temps might be conspiring against you.

15th Aug 2023 6:12pm

Devon-Rover

Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: South Devon
Posts: 907

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Aintree Green

Is the fan hub locking up when getting warm?

The TDI runs a Viscous hub style fan when cold you should be able to turn the fan by hand. It will be not completely free but you should feel resistance against the hub. When hot the fan should be harder / close to impossible to turn.

Just something else on the list to test

Also can be found on Fb, Ytube, Insta & Twitter @4WDSouthwest

15th Aug 2023 8:29pm

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