Boiled Radiator on Terrano TD27

[kiwipete]

While pushing her up Maling Pass St.James Station I boiled the radiator. I did not notice how hot it was as I was concentrating on the rough road conditions.
It was only when I smelt the boiling water, glanced at the temp guage and realised it was almost at the top.
I pulled over and turned her off. Water was ejecting from the over flow bottle like a kettle possessed.
I had to wait about 1/2 hour before someone came along with some spare water, yes I have learnt a lesson here too.
By this time it had stopped boiling and I was able to remove the radiator cap safely.
When the water was cool enough to put my finger in it I topped up both the radiator and over flow bottle plus spilt some in the process, using about 3l in total.
Everything seemed fine after that and I managed to return home (some 180+kms) via Jacks pass and Hanmer without incident.
It is a 2.7 TD Terrano with inter cooler, after market trans cooler.
There was a tail wind and 30 odd deg temp outside when I was ascending the steep pass, wind speed about the same as the truck so there was really no airflow over the fan except for the blades.

The question is, what should I now do or look out for?
I will be giving it a full service as it is due, 300kms over and is done every 5000k

BTW; I checked the tranny fluid in Hanmer on way home too at the servo just in case it was low, but it was all ok, slightly off red colour, no burning smell and at top of mark on stick (truck in N and running)

[NJV6]

I'd suggest your viscous fan is not kicking in properly. Does it heat up at all when on the open road in hilly terrain?

If not then the radiator is in good nick as it is getting good air flow purely from speed

If Yes then I'd be cleaning out the radiator from a specialist.

With you going slower in your circumstances it needs the fan to kick in which it may not be. You can usually change the hub oil to new stuff, do you ever hear the fan kick in, they fair roar, mostly notice it when the engine is cold, they run for a minute or so.

I do all my radiators at 100,000km as a matter of course, get them cleaned inside as they do block up and become less efficient.

[rangimotors]

when was water pump last done? Silly question but was it full of water at the start of the trip?

[tallsam66]

Hope ya got away with it .
If i were you id take out radiator & hose the fins out ....there maybe crap stuck in the fins .
Repace the thermostat
replace radiator cap
take out water pump & check its ok..sometimes the fins can wear down & not pump properly.
Put some more viscious fluid into ya hub (VF-50 from BnT)
Put new anti-freeze in ..i go for a 50/50 mix in my truck this makes it less likely to cavitate & also raises the boiling temp.

[kiwipete]

when was water pump last done? Silly question but was it full of water at the start of the trip?

Yep, checked all fluids the night before, all was good, never looses water either.
Water pump has not been looked at, ever

[kiwipete]

I'd suggest your viscous fan is not kicking in properly. Does it heat up at all when on the open road in hilly terrain?

When it is up to running temp, the gauge has always sat in the middle, raising a fraction under load (hill climbing) no issues in the past with a laden truck on highways etc.

If not then the radiator is in good nick as it is getting good air flow purely from speed

If Yes then I'd be cleaning out the radiator from a specialist.

Seems like it might pay to take radiator in for a check, thanks.

With you going slower in your circumstances it needs the fan to kick in which it may not be. You can usually change the hub oil to new stuff, do you ever hear the fan kick in, they fair roar, mostly notice it when the engine is cold, they run for a minute or so.

To be honest I am not sure if it clicks in, its viscus so spins all the time? I'm a little ignorant here sorry

I do all my radiators at 100,000km as a matter of course, get them cleaned inside as they do block up and become less efficient.

Duly noted thanks.

Do you recommend a particular radiator shop?

[kbjj]

I find my radiator only just does the job, gets a little too hot when i push it hard up long hills. I have to back off and watch egt to keep temps under control. Even use cabin heater to assist. Is the terrano v6 radiator bigger? Just an idea thats crossed my mind before. Terrano pumps come with viscous units attached.
Imho, a radiator clean and system flush wouldn't hurt, check thermostat (jug and thermometer trick), and you can pressure test caps. You should feel the resistance to turn the viscous unit, and compare it to another to check. Do you still have the radiator shroud on?
Hope alls good

[NJV6]

Do you recommend a particular radiator shop?

I do but its in Gore

The fan will spin all the time yes. But they are spinning much slower than what they are being driven at by the engine through slippage then how they work is the fluid inside them goes hard with heat so it then spins faster with more engine rpms if that makes sense....

[kiwipete]

I find my radiator only just does the job, gets a little too hot when i push it hard up long hills. I have to back off and watch egt to keep temps under control. Even use cabin heater to assist. Is the terrano v6 radiator bigger? Just an idea thats crossed my mind before. Terrano pumps come with viscous units attached.
Imho, a radiator clean and system flush wouldn't hurt, check thermostat (jug and thermometer trick), and you can pressure test caps. You should feel the resistance to turn the viscous unit, and compare it to another to check. Do you still have the radiator shroud on?
Hope alls good

There is resistance when turning the fan by hand.
Top shroud only as truck has been lifted and bottom one does not fit. No issue like this with a fully laden truck, roof rack loaded and 3 adults travelling to top of Nth Island 2 years ago, up hill and down dale, temp gauge rising just slightly from the normal position.
Never had overheating issues before.

BTW was in Low range 2nd gear. EGT was at around 3000 deg.

[kiwipete]

Do you recommend a particular radiator shop?

I do but its in Gore

The fan will spin all the time yes. But they are spinning much slower than what they are being driven at by the engine through slippage then how they work is the fluid inside them goes hard with heat so it then spins faster with more engine rpms if that makes sense....

Roger, over n out

I'll look at replacing the viscus fluid.

[rangimotors]

when was water pump last done? Silly question but was it full of water at the start of the trip?

Yep, checked all fluids the night before, all was good, never looses water either.
Water pump has not been looked at, ever

might be worth changing it for piece of mind. Had it used any water when you made it home? When the pumps are stuffed they typically leak but sometimes with the hot engine it all evaporates before you'd ever see it dripping on the ground etc. I'd say as the others have that the full system probably needs a good clean out. Chuck in a new pump and thermostat and check out the fan. You can also hook up a thermo-switch to a buzzer or flashing light in the truck so you will have a good warning system if it ever starts to get hot again.

[kiwipete]

when was water pump last done? Silly question but was it full of water at the start of the trip?

Yep, checked all fluids the night before, all was good, never looses water either.
Water pump has not been looked at, ever

might be worth changing it for piece of mind. Had it used any water when you made it home? When the pumps are stuffed they typically leak but sometimes with the hot engine it all evaporates before you'd ever see it dripping on the ground etc. I'd say as the others have that the full system probably needs a good clean out. Chuck in a new pump and thermostat and check out the fan. You can also hook up a thermo-switch to a buzzer or flashing light in the truck so you will have a good warning system if it ever starts to get hot again.

Now there is a good idea, a warning light/buzzer. Time to do some more research..............

No sign of missing water in either radiator or overflow bottle.

[aroma]

if you take radiator out get the shop to put at fitting in the top tank for a sensor ,I put my navara on twin electric fans kept the temp more even

[Roenut]

pete, take it into a1 radiaters down here, fairly reasonable price i believe.
give a shopping list to tex if need be, and i'll see what i can do for you

[kiwipete]

if you take radiator out get the shop to put at fitting in the top tank for a sensor ,I put my navara on twin electric fans kept the temp more even

Problem being the transmission oil cooler is part of the same radiator so removing it is a wee issue for me.

[kiwipete]

Ok, I have now spent all my pocket money for now, have engine oil, oil filter, diesel filter and antifreeze.

Looking into new water pump, thermostat and radiator cap next pay.

What temperature range temp sensor should I look at for a future warning light/buzzer?

I might just do a coolant flush at home, drain and fill with water, run till hot, cool and drain then add new coolant/water 50 50 mix.
I need the truck for the Rakaia Salmon fishing comp this coming weekend.

When I have more funds for a new pump, thermostat and cap, I will re do it all again then. I note a small amount of weeping at the back of the water pump, but that could have been happening for some time? Just have to keep a close eye on things now and carry water.

Has anyone removed the water pump from a TD27? What is involved?
Also, what is involved in replacing the viscus fluid in the fan housing?

Lotsa questions sorry. This is going to be a steep learning curve.

[Fakey]

Sounds like your viscous fans poked, you'd notice if it did kick in too. Only time mine ever kicked in was when I was towing up a hill watching the temp climb an just before the red the fan kicked in , sounds like yours isn't doing this, you can buy them new from bnt but plenty of wreckers will have them if ya wanna be a cheapskate
If the rad was blocked up you'd notice it all the time

[kiwipete]

Sounds like your viscous fans poked, you'd notice if it did kick in too. Only time mine ever kicked in was when I was towing up a hill watching the temp climb an just before the red the fan kicked in , sounds like yours isn't doing this, you can buy them new from bnt but plenty of wreckers will have them if ya wanna be a cheapskate
If the rad was blocked up you'd notice it all the time

Thanks man. Don't think I will bother with 2nd hand all the same.

[slide]

Waterpumps easy to remove, just remove radiator then fan, then waterpump/viscous fan unit.
Waterpumps are expensive for terrano. Approx 5 different pumps to suit td27 variants.
Cheapest is approx $300 from memory.

I would recommend taking wagon to a garage and getting a pressure test done on cooling system. Do this 1st, before replacing/rebuilding otherbits.
No point spending the money on new waterpump, radiator, thermostat etc when only problem is a slightly loose hose clamp.......

Bear in mind that waterpumps can be particular as to when they leak- sometimes they will only leak at certain engine temps, or only at low pressure, and not when up to full pressure as pressure pushes against seal to stop leak. So if there is stain around pump, its a good indication its leaking. Even get a mirror and have a good check.

Good luck getting it sorted
Nath

[Roenut]

Ok, I have now spent all my pocket money for now, have engine oil, oil filter, diesel filter and antifreeze.

Looking into new water pump, thermostat and radiator cap next pay.

When I have more funds for a new pump, thermostat and cap, I will re do it all again then. I note a small amount of weeping at the back of the water pump, but that could have been happening for some time? Just have to keep a close eye on things now and carry water.

Has anyone removed the water pump from a TD27? What is involved?
Also, what is involved in replacing the viscus fluid in the fan housing?

Lotsa questions sorry. This is going to be a steep learning curve.

hmmm, the seeping thing could be the run off drain on the pump itself, (usually means the seal is leaking) and new pumps come with a new viscous coupling anyway. from memory your truck is a 94? you may have to measure the fan bolt pcd on your pump to get it right, i think you have the bigger one.

[kiwipete]

Waterpumps easy to remove, just remove radiator then fan, then waterpump/viscous fan unit.
Waterpumps are expensive for terrano. Approx 5 different pumps to suit td27 variants.
Cheapest is approx $300 from memory.

I would recommend taking wagon to a garage and getting a pressure test done on cooling system. Do this 1st, before replacing/rebuilding otherbits.
No point spending the money on new waterpump, radiator, thermostat etc when only problem is a slightly loose hose clamp.......

Bear in mind that waterpumps can be particular as to when they leak- sometimes they will only leak at certain engine temps, or only at low pressure, and not when up to full pressure as pressure pushes against seal to stop leak. So if there is stain around pump, its a good indication its leaking. Even get a mirror and have a good check.

Good luck getting it sorted
Nath

Thanks for the advise.

[kiwipete]

hmmm, the seeping thing could be the run off drain on the pump itself, (usually means the seal is leaking) and new pumps come with a new viscous coupling anyway. from memory your truck is a 94? you may have to measure the fan bolt pcd on your pump to get it right, i think you have the bigger one.

95 model. um pcd?

[Roenut]

the distance between the bolts holding your fan on (one bolt measured to the opposing bolt)

[jj1959]

TD27 pretty bullet proof. Mine over heated once. Blew top tank off radiator. Turned out water pump was shagged & viscous fan. Ended up doing a head gasket & front oil pump gasket as well. Had the head crack tested & planed for good measure. Mines a manual though. Did all this at 245k. Done 285 now & all is sweet. Also replace thermostat.

[kiwipete]

TD27 pretty bullet proof. Mine over heated once. Blew top tank off radiator. Turned out water pump was shagged & viscous fan. Ended up doing a head gasket & front oil pump gasket as well. Had the head crack tested & planed for good measure. Mines a manual though. Did all this at 245k. Done 285 now & all is sweet. Also replace thermostat.

Thanks for the advice. All duly noted.

[wax]

I opened up my viscous fan and filled it full of grease. Worked very well.
I then flushed the radiator and used redline water wetter. It run at about 82 degrees pretty much every where now

[kiwipete]

I opened up my viscous fan and filled it full of grease. Worked very well.
I then flushed the radiator and used redline water wetter. It run at about 82 degrees pretty much every where now

Thanks, I have decided to remove the radiator in a week or so and get it tested proper. I will also replace the pump and viscus unit at the same time.
Give the old girl a birthday...........

[zephyrheaven]

Kaiapoi Radiators - Steve is a realist

[kiwipete]

Kaiapoi Radiators - Steve is a realist

Thanks, but a tad too far to travel on the scooter.

[wax]

Come on your in Christchurch it should be cold there. Ha ha