Getting a bit warm!!

Hi,

Dare I say it but my P38 has started to overheat!! I know a complete surprise, but I was wondering if anyone could help me as to where to start.

Firstly it does not lose any water and there is no obvious signs of head gasket failure. I have also changed the thermostat.

On a normal run to work including 25 miles of motorway she will sit happily with the needle just about the 12 o clock mark maybe a mm past. If the ambient air temp is lower than 15 degrees there is no overheat problem at all.

If ambient temp is higher than this, she will still sit at normal temp until there is a steady incline, and then the temp will rise above the normal 12 o clock to the third white mark and once slightly beyond, but hasn't entered the red.
Once at the top of the hill the needle will return to normal temp, over the next mile or so.

Whilst she is not overheating there is an overheat problem, as already mentioned I have changed the thermostat but this has not changed anything.
I have recently changed the coolant after changing the matrix o seals.
I have checked the water pump in as much as there is flow into the expansion tank, only a small trickle at idle but if I rev the engine 2000 rpm + there is a stream a water.

The question is where would be the next place to check, or is there something obvious I am missing. Any help is appreciated and I know overheating is a thread take is discussed time and time again.

Many Thanks

Paul

i know its late and i might have missed something but which engine,petrol /weasle?

Sorry its a 4.6 petrol

Paul

Did this just start after you changed the O rings? If so how soon after?

radiator partially blocked m8,take it out, lie it down and fill it with boiling water from a kettle. feel all over the matrix for cold spots, if you find any then bin it and replace but make sure the new one has the baffle fitted so the water circulates properly. a lot of cheap ones didn't have it fitted.

air locked?

Possibly rad as mentioned,
but same problem on one of mine was the viscous fan needed replacing.

new rad, i had the same problem.

Thanks all going to order a new rad from island 4x4 and give fitting it myself a go, is this relatively simple or should I part with more cash at a garage?

Paul

if it didnt overheat before you did the o rings try checking the system for an air lock.cheapest option first.This from a man who hates spending money.Making it is easy,hanging on to it is hard

If it's not an air lock, check the viscous fan.

O rings were done a couple of months ago after putting at least 2000 miles on the clock would there still be the chance of an airlock ?

If so how would I check this?

Many Thanks

Paul

PS I love to keep costs down as well, but if needs must!

do a search,somebody posted problem within the last week.regards

Paul M said:

O rings were done a couple of months ago after putting at least 2000 miles on the clock would there still be the chance of an airlock ?

If so how would I check this?

Many Thanks

Paul

PS I love to keep costs down as well, but if needs must!

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if its only just started overheating it sounds more like the rad than an air lock if youve done 2000 miles after changing the o-rings,but then again it is a p38 after all

hi all,

just to let you know fitted a new rad today after flushing the air condensor through, took her down the M1 for 60 miles and the temp gauge sat at 12 o'clock the whole way.

So very pleased now and thanks for all advice given, just got to deal with the select neutral message now!!

Thanks again

Paul

Datatek said:

If it's not an air lock, check the viscous fan.

Click to expand...

how do you check the viscous fan? i thought if it spins at a fair speed it works
i could be wrong i usualy am