2.8d Hilux Overheating Issue

[Junior_Burger_88]

Hey guys,

So I have been having some overheating problems with my lux. It started overheating on the freeway going up hills, around town it fine, but big hills at high speed seem to be a problem. So I started working my way through the possible problems as I saw it, I ruled out the radiator itself being a problem as it was a brand new one in February so its not exactly old so I started with cleaning the radiator, both hosing the outside and flushing the inside. When that didn't do it I replaced the thermostat and also the radiator cap cos I thought it might not be holding pressure, which it wasn't, but still it overheats. Last week I had the timing belt and water pump done, but still had the overheating issue yesterday on the freeway. So far I haven't noticed any oil in the water and no water in the oil so I don't think I have head casket issues, but I am running out of things to look at, the viscous fan hub seems ok, plus its overheating at 110km/h so air flow isn't exactly a problem, I don't have spotties or anything in front of grille and I still have a fan shroud on it.

Basically I'm thinking that a bigger radiator or at least a re-core and maybe a thermo fan might be my only options now but I have no idea what radiator will actually be an improvement or for that matter what sort of fan so any ideas would be appreciated. Also if anyone can think of something I haven't done or checked?

Cheers,
JB

[hulsty]

How do you figure your viscous hub is "ok" on my middy I had the same problem, would only overheat at ~100km/h. Turned out it was a faulty viscous hub, fixed it up and now temps are rock solid.

[Junior_Burger_88]

The good old touch and feel method... The fan and hub were off when the timing belt was done and the mechanic checked it out and it doesn't seem to be leaking and it feels alright when trying to spin it on the shaft. It also made sense in my head that at that speed the radiator really should have enough airflow through it anyway, but if thats what solved your prob maybe I should look into it again.

Cheers mate.

[Ashley_bmx]

The good old touch and feel method... The fan and hub were off when the timing belt was done and the mechanic checked it out and it doesn't seem to be leaking and it feels alright when trying to spin it on the shaft. It also made sense in my head that at that speed the radiator really should have enough airflow through it anyway, but if thats what solved your prob maybe I should look into it again.

Cheers mate.

I had the EXACT same problem with my truck coming home from brisbane about 18mnths ago ... I knew it wasnt the radiator, Thermostat or water pump because i had literally replaced all of the above about 2 weeks before i left, so i knew it was either shit built up on the front of the A/C condenser or in between both the condenser and the radiator... There was nothing blocking airflow as such ... So i felt the fan hub, it FELT ok, But i thought i would replace anyway as i had a 2nd hand unit handy. And its never overheated since.

[samdumbert]

If its losing water and you cant see a leak theres a good chance its got a cracked head.
The 3L hiluxs are famous for it and they dont mix oil and water when it happens.

[thehanko]

If its losing water and you cant see a leak theres a good chance its got a cracked head.
The 3L hiluxs are famous for it and they dont mix oil and water when it happens.

its the 2L thats famous for a cracked head, to be honest ive never heard of a 3l with a cracked head though im sure it does happen.

I had the same problem - overheat under load up hill on the hwy.

did the same as you, replaced a bunch of shit to no result.

I had already replaced my radiator with an ebay job as a mechanic said my rad was looking just about stuffed.

This was the problem - the NEW rad was a piece of crud.

Advertised as 15 fins per inch (14 on a stock toyota one) it actually had just 11 fins per inch.

I ended up getting my origional radiator recored with an aussie made 4 core it weighed something like 30% more than the chinese one = more copper and not just the amount in the extra core either. 14 fins per inch and 4 cores.

I never managed to get the temp gauge to move again after that.

BTW is yours turboed? mine was.

[Junior_Burger_88]

Cheers guys, I guess I should do the fan hub if I have come this far.

Samdumbert - No its not losing water, the only time it lost water was before I replaced the radiator cap, it just pissed out through the overflow, but thanks for the heads up.

Hanko - Nah no turbo, don't have the funds for it, plus with some overheating issues it doesn't seem like such a great idea atm. That sucks about the rad though, I'll have to keep it in mind if the rebuilding the fan hub doesn't fix it.

JB

[stampy4x4]

^^ Hanko can you tell us the price difference between your Chinese eBay radiator and the Aussie recore?

I'm looking at replacing my old OEM radiator at the moment too and I've seen the eBay ones for around $330. From local radiator shops the cheap ones (they won't say they're from China) are around $390 - $430 and Aussie made recore is slightly more ($10 - $20) again.

Are these prices similar to yours?

Seems pretty pointless putting in one of the Chinese ones after your experience (unless there are varying degrees of quality with them).