Citroen ZX TD : Keeping it Cool when Towing

[Laurence7]

I use my Citroen ZX TD to tow my race car on a trailer. Mostly, it copes pretty well, except on long climbs at motorway speeds, when the engine is working hard for prolonged periods and the temperature rises to over 100C (it sits at less than 90C when driving normally without towing).

Does anyone have any experience of fitting either a bigger radiator, an additional radiator or an oil cooler? Is there an alternative solution?

Thanks

Laurence

[Mikey G]

I would make sure your cooling system is up to scratch in the first place. Take the radiator off and give it a good flush, check the cooling fins are intact and not too damaged, refit and refill with a good quality antifreeze/coolant.
Worth checking if your fan(s) are working right too, if they are 2 speed as some pug/citroen are make sure the second speed is working as it is possible the resistor or switch is faulty.

[Laurence7]

Thanks for the advice Mike. I know the rad is clear and the fan cuts in when reversing, but not sure if it's two-speed or not - I'll check.
Laurence

[cptsideways]

An additional oil cooler will help a fair bit too

[Rob_the_Sparky]

You could also consider an ali radiator and/or "water wetter". Both help keep the temp down. A good check of the existing system would be my first step though.

[megamaniac]

If the car has done over 100,000 i would treat it to a new rad and stat and possibly fan switch .The radiators are prone to silting and although appear hot all over let less water through at the bottom.At the same time you could fit a lower temp stat so it is open earlier and dependant on fan switch position you could see if you can find one that turns the fans on earlier (on the rad or on the stat housing.
Many years ago i had a customer with a bx td and it only overheated when towing ,flushing the rad didn't work, changing it did.

[megamaniac]

You could also remove the plastic trim from between the lights that helps a bit.
I have an n reg td for scrap if you want any bits ,or you can take whats left for £30.

[CombeMarshal]

if it's 90 normally 100 doesn't seem over the top really.
you could fit a heat exchanger between the oil filter, like the xantia turbo, then bonnet vent, raise the trailing edge, remove bonnet sound proofing, take one head light out!!!