Radiator Cooling Trouble

[mgrgpg]

Yesterday we had the beginning of a snow storm here on Long Island, and my normal 15 minute commute turned into a 1.5 hour trip. Pretty much idled all the way home, and my water temp gauge was right on the edge of the red zone, for normal travel the needle points straight up. Being that it was about 35 degrees out, I am making an assumption that the radiator is on its way out. Any other opinions?...thanks!

[Campbell]

I had some overheating issues related to my heater core leaking. I replaced the core and all is well. If your core is leaking you would smell coolant inside and would see some coolant leaking from the box. I don't know if this is your problem but I thought I would mention it.

[ron]

mark another option is your fan clutch isnt kicking in.
when the truck is hot check to see if the fan is spinning freely if it is it may not be doing its job.

[slowpoke496]

mgrgpg,
As Ron said check the fan clutch. I had the same problem this summer. Replaced the viscious fan clutch and fan with a flex-a-lite electric fan and that seemed to do the trick. And yes even in the long commute home yesterday in the snow!

Slowpoke496

[mgrgpg]

Thanks for the info...one more item I did not mention, when the car sits in my driveway warming up in the morning, it never seems to get past the normal straight up needle position. What makes driving at 5mph different from standing still, I would guess that driving at any speed would be better.

[mgrgpg]

How do you check to see if the fan clutch is operating properly?....With the engine hot, should there be resistance when I try to more the blades?

[ron]

Mark when the truck is hot the fan will have resistence if no resistence then the fan clutch may need to be replaced .
$180 at British Atlantic

[slowpoke496]

mark,
I would check it when the engine is totally cold before starting it. then run engine and check it again this way you have something to compare it with. And like Ron said cold little resistance. Hot greater reisitance.

one other thing. do a search in the old BBS area for some good info on this. i will post a the recommendations that i got from Mike H when i started having trouble as soon as i can located them.

Slowpoke496

[mgrgpg]

Looks like you guys are right, when the engine is hot I can easily spin the blades, maybe 2 revolutions with a good push. It also seems like when the engine is cool there is a little more resistance.

[mikeslandrover]

You'll be needing a new Viscous fan unit then!

[slowpoke496]

mark,
Its not a difficult repair. one note the thread on the fan nut is reverse thread.

[ELCIDd90]

Has anyone had any experience with replacing their D90's radiator with something other than the factory one? I think I'm in need of a new one and was looking for advice.

thanks

Z

[chrisvonc]

We went with a 4 core option in ours to help with our overheating issue. Helped greatly.

[Mike Hippert]

http://www.d-90.com/mod/cool.html

[waveridin1959]

You can ditch the clutch fan for everyday driving?

[wicks]

Get the African or MOD spec radiator! It's BIG. ;)

[ELCIDd90]

Bearmach offers a "4 ROW radiator" is this what you guys are talking about?

http://www.bearmach.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Heavy_Duty_Cooling_13.html

[Buckon37s]

Get the African or MOD spec radiator! It's BIG.

Uh, not the one that came in my truck. I think you might be a little confused on this one since the MOD's are made for diesels and are smaller than normal for the intercooler. Just go to NAPA, they will custom make you a radiator to YOUR spects for a good price, and..... done.:kiss

[TwisteD90]

Great topic, just in time. I'm pulling a radiator out of a friend's D90 to have it re cored to a 4 core but they are charging him $500 to do it. Now for that much money is there a better choice or is that great deal?

[souza]

I'm getting a 4 row core replaced in my radiator right now, as in, I'm picking it up Friday, and it's costing me $350 complete. That includes the flat-fins option, which adds strength over the standard VT design (see the nice writeup by Q in the FAQ). It also adds $50, so I don't think $500 is a very good deal at all Yousef!

Have your friend get another estimate!

[TwisteD90]

I think he is set on that company since they told him they did a lot of LR's and they all worked out. However, while I'm lifting his truck this weekend I'll talk to him and try to convince him to get more estimates or I'll take it and shop around.

Thanks Dave :)

[souza]

I guess I can't speak for the results yet, as I don't have it, but it's a reputable local radiator shop that's been around for years. I know they've never done one for a Land Rover before, but there isn't really anything special about our radiators. They measure the core and order it up by size, then solder it back to the tanks!

good luck!

[kellymoe]

I am going to be in the market for a radiator soon. As I was shopping around I came across this company. Looks interesting. Marketed for Jeeps but may work well on Rovers.
www.novak-adapt.com

[scot]

Help!! I have a '94 D-90 that starts overheating with temps outside as low as 80. Lots of rocks and debris have destroyed the cooling efficiency of the stock radiator and I need another. Does anyone have a source other than stock one as they inexplicably cost around 500 bucks!!

scot

[Mike Hippert]

Hey news man:grin

Have a local radiator shop rebuild the one you have. They just pull the sides (tanks or caps or something) off and put new fins in.

Some more info here

http://www.d-90.com/mod/cool.html

[chrisvonc]

There is a large list of things to check for Defender cooling issues, some that dont require you to replace the radiator but even if you do, you can have the radiator "recored" to 4 rather than the stock 3 cores which improved the cooling and you should not need to pay more than $400 for that. Also check to make sure your fan is working properly. Yet another thing to look for is to make sure there is not a air bubble in the system. Also check the thermostat. There are a few threads already dealing with overheating and I will merge this with them.

[pendy]

I have a couple used ones if you want to go low buck. They are left over from repowers.
But I agree that a recore is the best bet. Have them install dimpled rows which help cool better.

JP

[Eric_S]

Scot,

I see you're in the Boston area. I had my radiator replaced in January with a re-cored radiator at City Side Garage ( www.citysidegarage.com ) in Ashland, right next to Framingham. Great bunch of guys and great shop.

Eric

[dmarchand]

I see you're in the Boston area. I had my radiator replaced in January with a re-cored radiator at City Side Garage ( www.citysidegarage.com ) in Ashland, right next to Framingham. Great bunch of guys and great shop.

I can second that. Have Alan take a look at it. He's the man.

[cbass]

Does anyone know the exact size of the stock radiator so I can have one made?

TIA