towing with 2.7 Terrano

[weatherman]

I purchase my Terrano 2 weeks ago to tow my caravan, It replaced my Frontera.
Had to be towed off M6 Thursday with constant overheating when towing. Otherwise all normal in non tow driving. All fans checked, Thermostat checked, water pump checked no problem found.

I am now at a loss?

[(RIP) PLANK]

Just a thought bu water pumps are a common problem with these, they seem to develope a tiny almost undetectable leak under neath that evaporates before you notice it, the viscous coupling for the fan is part of the pump, i have noticed when fitting a new pump the engine temperature seems lower and the fan seems to cut in and out like nevcer before!

so it stilll could be the pump/viscous coupling to blame

[Terranosaurus]

What sort of condition is the rad in? I'm about to replace mine - at first glance it looks ok but all the fins have corroded and if you touch them they crumble, instead of being fairly resilient aluminium. I suffer from over heating a bit when towing, driving hard etc not to the point that it boils but gauge does start to climb, I just put the heater on and it drops back.

When you say the stat, fans and pump have ben checked, what has been done? Can't rely check water pump without removing it to check the impeller is still in one piece.

Might be worth flushing your cooling system right through an refilling with correct mix of coolant and water. Try one of those rad flush additives to loosen any build up., its certainly a cheap first call, couple of quid for additive, run it for a few days than drop the water out of the system, you'll soon see if there was a build up of crud causing a problem, it will be evident in th water.

[weatherman]

I have had the water pump off all ok. I have flushed the radiator but have ordered a new one just in case. Have replaced fluid.

As regards viscoss fan I understand that this is used only at low speeds and does not work when car is moving along.

[weatherman]

Just to add to overheating when towing. The plastic thermostat housing melted. I have replaced with a metal one

[jace]

thats some serious heat to melt that was there any water left in engine!

[weatherman]

very little most off it has washed the m6. What suprises me is that it all happened so quickley

[jace]

wonder if thermostat duff locking water in to boil id replace/leave out on rebuild id put new pump on for sake £30

[Jocky]

I have had the water pump off all ok. I have flushed the radiator but have ordered a new one just in case. Have replaced fluid.

As regards viscoss fan I understand that this is used only at low speeds and does not work when car is moving along.

It does work when moving. It should engage(kick in) when temp gets high. If this is not happening you'll overheat. The first time mine kicked in I thought something was wrong with my car, soon brought temp down and stopped.

If yours is working you would have heard it running.

Also if you boiled engine has the head gasket ok????

:smile:

[Deleted Member S]

I'm sure my fan is running all the time :?

[weatherman]

I think i will fit electric fans fron kenlow fans. Has any body any experience in doing this?

[JonathanM]

OK, I've towed with a 2.7TDI for a couple of years, without problems. Yep, uphill on the continent at m-way speeds means the temp guage climbs, but never over heated. the viscous fan cuts in, and once the climb is over, then everything colls down. i do use the auxillairy cooler method (ie put the heater on) sometimes, but not often.

Re thermostat cover, heat can get to these, mine was replaced at the last service as it had warped, and was weeping coolant.

re Kenlowe fan, I've read on here that they tend to advise refitting the viscous for towing abroad, so I've left mine alone. I'm not sure that the savings are really appreciable, and in some ways having a cooling system kept as standard seems a simpler step. From the amount of time I was able to hear the viscous fan when towing to the ardeche 7 back, and during driving in 30 + degree heat, then a kenlowe would probably have been on 75% of the time anyway.

[(RIP) PLANK]

i still stick with the new pump idea you will be suprised! instead of overheating the temp will climb and the fan cut in! I was suprised when i tried it!

[iandouglas]

hi i had simular over heating problems while towing caravan.
changed rad because vains were crumbling away and replaced water pump .now runs fine .
rgds.iandouglas
ps.
i can hear my fan cut in and out while climbing steep hills with caravan on.
and temp gauge rise`s and falls.
pps.
check and clean the 3 plug in sockets at side of thermostat, these are temp censors.for temp gauge and ecu.
rgds.iandouglas

[Deleted Member]

My fan runs all the time on mine,so no overheating when towing!!

[Terranosaurus]

My fan runs all the time on mine,so no overheating when towing!!

It will spin all the time with a viscous coupling but it should spin at less than engine speed when the engine is cold, just being dragged along not actually driven if it is operating correctly. As the engine warms up the fan drive "engages" fully so that it spins at engine speed. Check to see if the fan is free to rotate when the engine is cold.

[Deleted Member]

So it should move freely when the engine is not running,it seems to run all the time,don't know what speed though!!

[Terranosaurus]

It should move fairly freely when the engine is cold and not running, if the engine is hot it might not be possible to turn it, depends how hot.

[Deleted Member]

Yip..just checked it,moves freely when engine cold,you learn something new every day... :lol: :lol:

[Deleted Member S]

On mine you can move it with the engine off (cold) but you can feel resistance when doing so :?

[Alzay]

My fan runs all the time aswell.

[Toolbox]

The fan will turn all the time the engine is running but it turns at a reduced speed when cold, you should hear it roaring when the engine temp rise above normal, especially noisy when accelerating.

If your radiator fins are breaking up and missing it will not only affect the efficiency of the radiator but will not produce a proper flow of air to the fan, when hot and this in turn will cause the fan not to work in the manner it was designed. (Hot air to the viscous coupling will cause the fan to lock up and pull more air through the radiator to cool)

[JonathanM]

Has the OP checked that the cause is not as obvious as a vehicle that has been off roaded, and has been left with a mud coated radiator, blocking airflow through the fins?

[Jocky]

i still stick with the new pump idea you will be suprised! instead of overheating the temp will climb and the fan cut in! I was suprised when i tried it!

My money is also on the pump. If fan was working you'd hear it kicking in and then stopping when engine cools down.

:smile:

[weatherman]

Thanks I can now post again

Now my overheating problem. I was thinking of fitting electric fans.£170
When I spoke to Kenlowe fans they suggested that if towing in hot climates then stick to viscous coupling. Electric fans will give fuel saving of about 8%. They suggest that a viscous fan lasts for about 60000 miles

I am fitting a new rad tomorrow and a new pump. All those who say they have cured the problem by fitting a new pump I wounder if because the fitting of a new fan includes the fitting of a new viscous coupling, the problems have been with the coupling.

[Jocky]

I agree that fitting new pump cures the problem or lowers temp because you are getting new viscous coupling :smile:

mines has done 99k and I'm seeing temp slowly creeping up while towing. temp does come down. Will fit new pump soon.

I enquired about kenlowe fans and they wanted £300 and also said refit viscous fan if towing in hot country, so if their fans are not man enough for the job they are not getting my £300 :twisted:

:smile:

[(RIP) PLANK]

yes i think the thread is getting some where thw improvement in the temp is down to the new coupling as i said in my first post on this! However, the pumps are notouriously troublesoome so it is worth having a new one as a matter of course as an old one could let yo down without warning! I would take the old rad to a recon specialist and have it tested and inspected and cleaned properly before lashing out on a new one!

Also for the sake of the few extra pounds fit new belts ad a new thermostat - job done!

[weatherman]

Fitted new rad and Water pump all seems ok now. Inspected old rad could not see any problems without cutting open. Thanks for help.

[(RIP) PLANK]

I htink now you hae done this you are on your way through the initiation ceremonies of being a t2 owner, next the mini filter and then the hubs :lol: :lol:

[weatherman]

I have noticed the old rad has plastic top and bottom, New rad seems to be all copper. Whats this about hubs? I have tyre sqeal when going round courners at slow speed. Is this common?

[(RIP) PLANK]

There are several threads already running on tyres and squeals i think that may offer sound advice, but i am sure with large chunky tyres on hot dry roads (i find particularly in covered car parks etc.) they do squeal a bit!

However! if it is your rear tyres it could be a sign your diff oil is due for a change but make sure you get the right stuff! there are threads running on this!

[weatherman]

Thanksw

[grummpyoldgit]

Had new pump fitted as old one was leaking slightly,now temp gauge sits at half way and can rise up to three quarters.Nissan dealers said this is normal as its been filled up with virtualy neat coolant ? Is this salesman bull***t or not? Seem to have a light oiley deposit around fan blades, is the new unit leaking? There are a couple of dents in the rad, they look like they've been caused when getting the rad out,dealers say it was'nt us,now theres a suprise. Is it worth fitting a new rad (£140 from Milners)
or am I worrying too much.Not lost any water, changed thermostat.

[(RIP) PLANK]

if it isn't leaking and the dents arent severe i would leave well alone, you can always get it pressure tested if you are concerned :wink:

[Jocky]

The time for a new pump has arrived for me.

When returning from a flooded Keswick today driving on A66 my temp gauge was getting a touch to high for my liking. Didn't hear viscous fan kicking in or roaring at the normal temp. Slowed down and temp slowly came back down, also got rid of some heat via the heater :evil: Was nice and hot in the car :wink:

:smile:

[SteveP]

Hi Gego, I used to a 1995 2.7 Terrano TD and had the same thing when I was towing. Apparently with the turbo diesel when the the engine is under load,and gets beyond the ideal power range ie climbing a long hill etc, the turbo would cause the engine to get hotter than normal. When the engine load is less, like on the flat the temperature would return to normal.It is a normal characteristic of a none intercooled diesel. SteveP

[jace]

yeagh bet that intercooler scoop helps cool everything down fair bitove air getting rammed downwards through that

[Jocky]

What I'm saying is the viscous fan didn't start, it normally kicks in and brings temp down when climbing hills.

I've had no problems with it in the past even towed the very same caravan in the hilly and warm regions of northern Spain. The hills are steeper than the mole hills in the UK hahahahaha

So I don't think it is a normal characteristic of the TDI engine, fact is fan didn't work. Never overheated, but temp was way to high

Yes my engine is intercooled

:smile:

[(RIP) PLANK]

I can picture exactly what you mean, i didnt realise how bad mine was until i fitted a new pump and then suddenly it was cutting in and out towing up hills, and the temp was better :cry:

[Jocky]

New pump ordered

Nissan Part No for anyone interested 21010 7F400

My friendly HIGHWAYMAN Nissan Dealer Quoted £160+VAT and even wants £3.60+VAT for the gasket :twisted:
They also quoted £9.95+vat X2 for drive belts as mine is non Air con and has 2 belts, one for powerstearing and one for alternator

Local motor factor quote for QH pump £63.95 INC :smile: will post part no tomorrow

Guess which one I'm buying :?:

:smile:

QH Part No QCP 3473 Equiv MCP 3473

Won't be fitted for a couple of weeks off on my travels again :cry:

[(RIP) PLANK]

The QH onw has worked well for us on 3 different T2's ! so i would agree with you!

[LouLou]

1. Check the rad for general external condition (your changing it anyway so no worries)
2. Add mild or 2-part rad flush after draining the system and follow the flush routine on the bottle(you've drained it already ;) )
3. Back flush the rad (you have a new one :o )
4. New thermostat
5. New housing (you need on to replace the blob)
6. New pump

= jobs a goodun.................if your head gasket is OK

We tow a two horse box trailer (with two large mares) regularly around the Southern UK. Original viscous fan fitted and the coolant system service as above (1/2/3/4). Temp goes to just below half way up the Mav temp gauge and never any higher ;)

[zippy656]

i know im late in joining in the line of chat.

I ve had no trouble at all, guage dont move sits still just in the centre all the time towing or not, but my caravan max is only 1241kg.. and im sure we dont get up to that.



with the 806 i had before, it use to get quite warm on long up hill tugs...

Zippy

[(RIP) rustygates]

Hi all,
I tow a caravan 1400kgs + extras must be nearer 1500kgs and have no problem overheating, temp gauge needle is about 25% up the gauge normally and rises very little even on the steepest hills '

rustygates.

[Jocky]

Hi all,
I tow a caravan 1400kgs + extras must be nearer 1500kgs and have no problem overheating, temp gauge needle is about 25% up the gauge normally and rises very little even on the steepest hills '

rustygates.

So your viscous coupling is working as it should :wink:

[dinky]

Just got back from Somerset,towing a buccaneer van with weight of about 1.75 tonne,doing about 60 mph all the time.No problems towing just putting diesel in.

[(RIP) rustygates]

Hi all,
I tow a caravan 1400kgs + extras must be nearer 1500kgs and have no problem overheating, temp gauge needle is about 25% up the gauge normally and rises very little even on the steepest hills '

rustygates.

So your viscous coupling is working as it should :wink:

Yep, only place it temp rises is going up Telegraph hill on the A38 before dropping down to Newton Abbot.

[zippy656]

not tryed that hill with the caravan. but we went to Scarborough last year.. 9 hour tug for us. no problem.. i was teh only one why got a problem.. numb b*m and the deisel too

gulp was alot but we did have agreat 10 days,,,


ZIppy

[Timbo_1975]

Just to report on the same subject matter, that ive just had a thrash down to southern worcestershire and back with about 2t on the back of an ivor williams flat bed trailer, some parts at continuous full power my gauge did not move from its usual just under half way position, and neither did i hear the cooling fan cutting in (still viscous, but about to be electric), so i deduce that the standard terrano cooling system is well over capacity for the uk climate...

Tim..

[zippy656]

i guess if you're getting alittle hot start ith a good flush through. maybe just start with the rad flush..


:smile:

Zippy

[supertaff]

Another factor to take in to consideration is whether the T2 was built for the European or Japanese market. My Mistral is a Jap import, and the temp. gauge never seems to rise more than a quarter of an inch above the cold mark , which would suggest that the Japanese imports are fitted with "tropical" radiators that have got larger diameter tubes than the European market radiators.

[Timbo_1975]

even if the rad was the size of a ship the engine should still reach operating temp- i believe the thermostat is 86 deg for the terrano, so if your gauge is accurate then i would check if your thermo is stuck open and never letting the engine reach full operating temp when moving...which is important for mpg reasons, but more so engine longitivity ...

I would say though that dash temp gauges can be notoriously inaccurate sometimes..

tim..

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

some time ago stats were discussed.

some members were swapping out for higher temp
units. think 82 to 86 degrees rings a bell.

my truck was cold and guage never moved,

bought a new stat bu in process of fitting realised
an air lock in the system was causing the big chill.

now runs warmer and gauge is about 8 oclock.

once with rad full of mud and towing got it upto
wards the red, think light came on too.

carefully powerwashed and back to improved normal.

[Deleted account DD]

Just got back from Somerset,towing a buccaneer van with weight of about 1.75 tonne,doing about 60 mph all the time.No problems towing just putting diesel in.

Good to hear as thats what I bought mine to do :lol:

Just out of interest how many miles did each gallon of that expensive diesel stuff power it for :?: