Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey guys,
Ive seen threads talking about this, but nothing ive seen is conclusive, any ideas with my problem?

My drama is that my V6 when laboring up a hill, say the hill outa Moonne Moonee bridge (on the way to newcastle) the temp gauge starts to shoot up, and only when I change gears up, and then onto the flat does it come down.

Also, whilst 4wdriving in Duea Nat park, on a 30-35deg day, up and down hills in 2nd low low, the truck temp would rise almost redlining. would have to slow down, and/or stop and turn on the heater, open up the doors, fan full blast and get out, and let her cool down, happened all day.
After this first time, i drained the entire system, put thru one of those gimmicky radiator flush liquids, and put 50/50 glycol/water, and yet she still over heats.

in a drive to Grafton from Coffs over Xmas, mustve been about 45deg outside, doing a 100k/hr and with the air con on, the temp rose to almost redline, had to turn off the air con, slow down and pull over.

Is this the thermostat? blocked cores? there are a few bent fins, nothing major, no leaks. Ive a 50mm body lift and havent lowered the radiator and shroud are still in original posi, so theres a 50m gap between the fan blades and the shroud. Maybe this?

Any ideas??

thanks

im no expert but when i was having coolin issues i went and got... new thermostat (high flow one) good anti freeze, mixed at manufacturers %, 50% is huge isnt it??? i thought a concentrate bottle of TECALOY which is about 1Litre is good for 10 or more litres of water!!!??, flushed the shit out of the cooling system and cleaned outside of radiator and unbent fins. water has better cooling ability that the anti freez/anti boil, i have a v8 in my old lux and i run an ewp and NEVER see anything over 90 degs. when i am totally goin animal!!!!!!!!!!

joe.

a v6 hilux motor or a commy v6

try getting a radiator rod out or the thermostat may be jamed open causing the coolant to flow through the radiator to quickly

I'd say Commo motor, sounds exactly like mine did when running thermos, drives fine everywhere but when the temp starts to rise there isn't enogh air flow through the radiator to cool it down. What you need is the engine driven fixed fan and a radiator shroud, also change your thermostat to a 81 degree one if you havent done so already. Even with the engine fan without the shroud it will still tend to run hot when the weather is hot. Try removing the skirts around the wheel arches and engine bay and also look at bonnet scoops/vents anything to get the air out, even try lifting the back of the bonnet up a couple of centimeters.

John.

Mate you nailed the problem when you said you have a 50mm lift and the radiator hasn't been lowered to match the motor height. Its all got to do with the head of water level between motor and engine, close fit shroud around the fan to direct air thru radiator. Every Lux I know that has a lift has had the exact problem and I mean 100% of them. What would it take to just lower your radiator by 50mm and see for yourself.

thanks for th ereplies guys, lots of good ideas.

1. Its a factory V6 3.4 EFI toyo engine, not a commodore transplant.
2. Wouldnt take anything to lower the radiator, so im looking at that.
3. Will check the thermostat and test it, see what happens

again, thanks for all the ideas
K

Does it have a viscious / clutch fan if so is it working ok.

Also do you do much mud , make sure the outside of rad is also cleaned out between the fins, some spots you won't see unless you have a real good look. Amazing how 2"s of blocked radiator fins behind the crossmember can affect things.