Overheating issue

[brazenskies]

Hi all, I'm having an overheating issue currently with my 500.

- All hoses replaced recently with a new silicone set
- System flushed and bled
- Thermostat checked (no problem with it)

Could anyone suggest other things to be checked?

The only thing I've not done is actually checked it when the car is running. I didn't get that far as it was overheating after idling for a few minutes.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Greg

[QBee]

How high is the temperature going when idling like that?
Are the fans cutting in?
Let's clear up one thing - you live in Sotland, so it cannot be weather related

[Tyre Tread]

If overheating while stationary and the fans aren't cutting in its probably the otter switch or the fan connections. More likely the switch.

[QBee]

Tyre Tread said:

If overheating while stationary and the fans aren't cutting in its probably the otter switch or the fan connections. More likely the switch.

Quite possibly both!

[Chuffmeister]

As above.

Check to ensure that the fans are kicking in. If not then you need to test the otter switch, by bridging the two pins with a safety clip. If they're still not working, then check and clean the fan connectors under radiator.

If the fans are working, the radiator could be knackered and perhaps isn't cooling as it should.

Are you losing coolant?

[brazenskies]

Fans are kicking in ok, and not losing any coolant

[J400GED]

Air lock in the coolant system?

[QBee]

What temperature is showing on the gauge?

[Tyre Tread]

Check (looking upwards from undreneath the FRONT of the car) that the cooling fins haven't rotted away.

I was shocked when I saw mine on a ramp a few years ago at how much of the matrix was missing/rotted away. You couldn't see it from the back of the rad under the bonnet - only looking upwards when on the ramp.

[brazenskies]

A small leak was found in the radiator. Rad Weld has sorted it for now and it's idling away so we'll see how it goes in a little while.

Thanks all for the responses!

[QBee]

If its only getting up to about 92 degrees with the fans running, then that is normal.
If over 100, then there is a problem.
Perhaps the OP can enlighten us?

[brazenskies]

QBee said:

If its only getting up to about 92 degrees with the fans running, then that is normal.
If over 100, then there is a problem.
Perhaps the OP can enlighten us?

My mate is looking at it now. Just waiting to hear back from him about this

[Chuffmeister]

Connecting to Roverguage is a good way of seeing a more accurate temperature from the ECU temp sender.

[davettf2]

Hi, just gone through a similar issue, the jolly dash temperature gauge had gone out of calibration. Using the ECU mate I was able to see a second temperature which was lower and gave the confidence to persevere with running the engine. Low and behold, fans cut in at 90 on the ECU mate, off the scale (120 +) on dash gauge.
Hope you sort it

regards
dave

[whitewolf]

What are pumps like? Do they corrode?
Plastic fins on a metal body?

Just an idea.

[Sardonicus]

Metal impellor on stock LR pump and in my opinion virtually bullet proof, and as reliable as any car water pump I know of.

[QBee]

Sorry, but one person's idea of overheating is another person's idea of normal.
And one person's idea of correct water level is another person's idea of over full.

I filled my header tank (big blue cap) to the top once before a sprint day, and the car promptly ejected a pint of water as soon as it got warm. Tank should be no more than half full.

My car runs quite warm......about 93 on the gauge when the fans cut in and take it back to 88. That's normal, and Rovergauge confirms it. Been doing it for the last 16,000 miles. Warmer when standing still than when moving.

So as soon as you know please tell us what temperature the gauge says and what the car is doing to make you think it's overheating. We are all guessing until you do.

Thanks

[brazenskies]

QBee said:

Sorry, but one person's idea of overheating is another person's idea of normal.
And one person's idea of correct water level is another person's idea of over full.

I filled my header tank (big blue cap) to the top once before a sprint day, and the car promptly ejected a pint of water as soon as it got warm. Tank should be no more than half full.

My car runs quite warm......about 93 on the gauge when the fans cut in and take it back to 88. That's normal, and Rovergauge confirms it. Been doing it for the last 16,000 miles. Warmer when standing still than when moving.

So as soon as you know please tell us what temperature the gauge says and what the car is doing to make you think it's overheating. We are all guessing until you do.

Thanks

Sincere apologies for not using the internet more.

The gauge was right up at 120

[quattrophenia]

Apart from the obvious one being your fans running ok, the 2 thinks that made all the difference for me were:-

1. condition of the rad. Mine had a tiny leak but that was not the problem. If you lie flat in your belly and have a good look / prod at the hundreds of metal fillaments on the surface of the rad, you may find like I did that they become very brittle to the point of crumbling away. If they get like this they do not discipate the heat as well as they should. A basic £150 re-core resolved the leak and the efficiency of the rad 100%.

2. The biggest improvement for the cooling system for me, I'm glad to say, was the cheapest. My otter switch did start the fans but did not keep them on for long enough. As they age they become unreliable and a new one for £20 really sorted it out for me.

Good luck.