Outer Limits 4x4 Board

My feroza is overheating in summer season. Now it is winter time, and the temperature is 84, no metter what i do with a car. driving up long hills or offroading in snow. But on summer time the temperature is 92 to 95. I put 2 electric vents (spal 305mm) on outer side od radiator, but they do not help, they do their work only if i pull out thermostat, then temperature is normal, but on highway (130km/h) or up long hill, the temperature raise to 95 (never higher, but...).

How can i fix this? Is it possible that thermostat is bad? Radiator is new (5 months old), oil in machine is motul 10W40 (best for this car).
will bigger radiator helps?

non genuine thermstats and failing viscous fan couplings seem to create many problems ( Murcod can testify to that..... ) so its a first step.

However its actually a deeper problem .

The core issue is the #$%^ water pump - its a badly designed / badly made piece of crap. Unfortunately the replacements are no better. I'd suggest an electric water pump then relocate the thermostat from the bottom of the block to the outlet of the head.

Then put in a three row core and with the fans ( i'm running a single big spal unit ) the problem will go away for good on a stockie.

If its highly modified engine then some attention to the water passages in the head will be required.....

Once they start overheating it all just seems to go down hill - so IMHO fix it properly if you can otherwise your going to be VERY frustrated and/ or damage the engine.

My thoughts- substandard cooling system.

Not that those thoughts help you much. I'd try replacing the thermostat with a GENUINE item, don't waste your time trying aftermarket units (I tried two different brands and neither worked.) You'll save money by going original straight up.

Have you got aircon? If not then you must have some serious issues to get overheating, mine was fine until the A/C was switched on.

Check your ignition timing and vacuum advance functionality. A retarded engine will run hot (found that one the hard way too!)

Off topic- it's heaven having a Grand Vitara that doesn't overheat! That's one aspect of my Feroza I'll never miss.

murcod wrote:My thoughts- substandard cooling system.

Not that those thoughts help you much. I'd try replacing the thermostat with a GENUINE item, don't waste your time trying aftermarket units (I tried two different brands and neither worked.) You'll save money by going original straight up.

I will try with genuine.

murcod wrote: Have you got aircon? If not then you must have some serious issues to get overheating, mine was fine until the A/C was switched on.

i do not have AC. Problems are only when the temperature is 35 and more celsius. Now we have winter, and the temperatures are -10 to 5, and i could do with car whatever i want, even drive 18% hills with 5km/h and full trailer of sand (1,5t of sand on trailer).

murcod wrote: Check your ignition timing and vacuum advance functionality. A retarded engine will run hot (found that one the hard way too!)

I tested everything. In my opinion visko vent is too low (i have 3,5cm liftkit), because i did not change the position of radiator.

murcod wrote: Off topic- it's heaven having a Grand Vitara that doesn't overheat! That's one aspect of my Feroza I'll never miss.

your offtopic - grand vitara will never do such a distance in km as feroza. I have 440.000km with first machine (y1990), my wife nov 370.000 with grand vitara(1994), but with second machine. (first machine broke down 10.000km back).

My GV will well and truely be someone else's problem by the time it's reached 200000km. You must have had a good run with engines and gearboxes- my Feroza gearbox required a rebuild at 120000km.

If you've haven't got A/C then there is something majorly wrong. I'd only get problems (after converting to the electric thermo) when the temps reached the low 30's- with the A/C on. After changing the thermostat it could just cope with up to 40 degrees, but hills were a killer. With the viscous hub fan it coped a lot better. With the A/C off it was never a problem.

I would investigate the airflow issues you mention due to the bodylift. Have you got the fan shroud fitted? If not then there's your answer!

Yes, the plastic and everything is like it must be. Only "viscovent" is 3.5 cm lower.

Would a bonnet scoop help with air flow to disperse the heat and as well as get more cold air to the motor?

try a thermo fan

chugga wrote:Would a bonnet scoop help with air flow to disperse the heat and as well as get more cold air to the motor?

Not as much as you would think... i've Detomaso vents in mine ( they ere just sitting there so... ) and overall no change that you would notice.

Also vents tend to decrease the water crossing capability as they vent the "bubble" under the bonnet more rapidly - if you play in deep water.

As per electric fan - lots written on this subject previously, however if your going to do it don't do a half assed job.

Just don't be surprised if it continues to play up afterwards - IMO its a design issue.