I am constantly surprised to hear of the overheating problems.
I have only had my Ace for three months, but in that time we have taken a holiday to the SW of Aus in the middle of summer with family of five and back full of camping gear.
No overheating problems in spite of:
A. Travelling all day at 110 kph in 30+degree C temps.
B. Two trips off road in sand, also in 30+ temps.
Mine is also an auto, and if anyone over there doesn't know, sand is one of the worst things for overheating auto boxes.
On top of this with these temps we have had the air con (dual) going constantly, even off road.
I did keep an eye on the temp gauge as the vehicle was still new to me (especially off road), but it is a worry that you guys have all been saying that the gauge is more of guessometer than a real indicator!
Maybe we've just been lucky so far - if so I hope it lasts - or maybe it is something to do with wide environmental temp ranges.
Here in Perth the temp (almost) never gets below zero degrees C.
Is it possible that the damage stems from your extreme winter, but only becomes apparent when summer arrives?
Just a thought - I will post if I have any overheating problems, and then you can all say "I told you so!"
Regards,
Dave.
- (#7199) Dave, 17 Feb 03
Dave,
Your story and the conditions you describe match mine, pretty much like a wedding ring, after a few years of happy marriage (!). I am just about your same latitude (from Perth AU, if look west across the Indian ocean, you might be lucky and spot a shinning townie, somewhere in Maputo or Durban or about). I have done the most sensible things advised here (new rad cap, new stat - sorry, no extra holes it has already one (should it have one?), full rad flush, engine flush and changed oils and filters, and I have been living a happy life since (Jul 01), but for lack of a rational explanation, I tend to share your remark "Maybe we've just been lucky so far - if so I hope it lasts - or maybe it is something to do with wide environmental temp ranges. Here in Perth the temp (almost) never gets below zero degrees C. Is it possible that the damage stems from your extreme winter, but only becomes apparent when summer arrives?
PS
Perhaps we should go around and survey some townie owners in our zones, I have spotted a few (a dozen or so). Who knows, we might be out for a big surprise.
Manecas
- (#7315) Manecas, 20 Feb 03
I have been getting onto a Toyota 'Surf' website - Toyota Hilux derivatives only - and they have the same problem. Different engines, but they do have the viscous fan, which also failed on my Father's Landcruiser (Petrol 4.0ltr six).
This seems to be the only thing common among these vehicles in the cooling, so it might be the place to start.
- (#7316) Dave, 21 Feb 03
Dave,
I'd agree, there are enough reasons to get rid of the vfan, and that's my next move (wallet permitting).
- (#7317) Manecas, 21 Feb 03