Running Hot but not Overheating!

Trinker · Post by **Trinker** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 12:38 pm

Hey guys, I've been having some troubles as of recent with my 5-Speed L300 running hotter than usual. I first noticed the gauge going higher than normal just last week for no reason I can deduce. I have not had an overheating event or been pushing the van more than usual and in addition to that anyone in BC can attest that its still nowhere near hot outside yet.

The needle has been going about 1/3 of the way up during normal driving compared to its normal place right above the second line (roughly 1/4 of the way up). In addition to that it has been heating up faster going up hills (going up about halfway up the gauge when climbing the Coquihalla fully loaded) and then being really slow to drop again. What gets me is that it's inconsistent. Yesterday it stayed in its normal spot for the first 300km of my journey and climbed normally going up the pass but once summiting it never returned to its usual temperature, but its also not overheating.

In the past year I have done a waterpump (with the timing belt) as well as new rad hoses, rad cap and thermostat all in the fall. Any Insight for me??

takeuchi · Post by **takeuchi** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 12:44 pm

faulty fan clutch?

takeuchi · Post by **takeuchi** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 12:46 pm

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17830&p=132502

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:44 pm

To add to that other thread (which covers almost everything): I tested my fan clutch with the rolled up newspaper and it seemed fine, but replaced it anyway and suddenly my coolant temperatures are better. I don't trust the newspaper test any more.

Trinker · Post by **Trinker** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:03 pm

Saw that Growlerbeanz, did you replace or rebuild your fan clutch? Any good rebuild tutorials out there? Found one on youtube and it's a joke..

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:48 pm

I found a bunch on Youtube too, and that's why I ended up just buying a new one. All those repairs seemed super shonky, and mine wasn't obviously leaking.

https://www.amazon.com/Shimahide-MD1065 ... B0072JAIQI

$70 didn't seem too bad.

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 5:53 pm

Just a comment about that burnt out fuse- the engine only turns that fan on when the coolant is *super* hot (104C from memory), or if the AC is on.

If you're overheating and you usually use the AC then that fuse might be contributing to it.

If you usually drive with the AC off then it's probably not going to change much (but replace the fuse anyway, it's the engine's last resort just before it overheats completely).

helibrian · Post by **helibrian** » Sat Apr 01, 2017 10:11 pm

When it gets hot, check if you have heat. If you don't and it blows cold when the temp is high I would suspect your head gasket. If it blows hot air that should bring your temp down and then I would think it's the rad.

204explorer · Post by **204explorer** » Sun Apr 02, 2017 9:09 am

The first thing a mechanic should do when troubleshooting is verifying the complaint. In case of an engine heating complain I always check the temperature of the block with a infrared thermometer. It could be a faulty sensor or gauge. You should know at what temp your thermostat opens. Thats the temperature you should measure at the thermostat/sensor area after running the engine for a while.
Its always best to start with the basic stuff.
Also dont trust that new rad cap. Is there pressure in the system when you open it hot? (very carefully with gloves and a rag).

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Trinker · Post by **Trinker** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 3:13 pm

Lots of heat blowing when the temperature is up. I haven't had a chance to hit it with an infared thermometer yet but I would have to keep one on me until it decides to run hot sometime and then check it to see its true temperature. On that note when I put the new thermostat and rad hoses in last fall I hit it with the thermometer and it was running spot on for temp. I've ordered a new fan clutch and have a brand new rad in my garage, good preventative maintenance at the least and hopefully it solves my intermittent troubles before the summer heatwave. Does anyone have an aftermarket EGT they would recommend to me?

Trinker · Post by **Trinker** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 3:17 pm

Also lots of pressure in the system when hot, not needing coolant replenishing, and no air thank god!

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Mon Apr 03, 2017 10:16 pm

I have an Autometer Sport-comp EGT gauge, it's been reliable so far.

Morgonzo · Post by **Morgonzo** » Tue Apr 04, 2017 3:36 pm

It sounds like you're on the right path to longer Delica life. I'm gonna wager a bet that between the two, you solve your problem.

As far as EGT gauges go, i'm looking at this one...it's highly recommended by the IDI guys.
http://thesensorconnection.com/egt-prob ... -series-dp

takeuchi · Post by **takeuchi** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 9:03 am

Morgonzo wrote:It sounds like you're on the right path to longer Delica life. I'm gonna wager a bet that between the two, you solve your problem. As far as EGT gauges go, i'm looking at this one...it's highly recommended by the IDI guys.
http://thesensorconnection.com/egt-prob ... -series-dp

That looks exactly like the auber gauges. Which is what I have and works great!

Sent from my ONE E1005 using Tapatalk

Trinker · Post by **Trinker** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:18 pm

The plot thickens...
Had a spare hour the other day and put in the new fan clutch I've ordered. Did a nice 300km drive the next day with lots of ups and downs. I'm still picking up more heat and faster than I would like, but I've now been losing that heat significantly faster after cresting over hills.
I've also started to run occasionally too cold oddly enough, which makes me think it's probably that thermostat I installed in the fall malfuntioning? Still need to put in the new rad and I'll do a new thermostat at the same time, hopefully that makes that little needle stop it's stressful dash on my dash!
To anyone thinking about getting a new fan clutch, my old one passed the news paper test but after pulling it off I could hear the bearings grinding a bit inside and it released when spun much easier and faster than the old one. As I said earlier I'm losing heat after cresting hills about twice as fast now too! Seems worth the 100$ if even for some additional peace of mind and only takes an hour to install..