Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

[cvera Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cvera]

Hey Guys,

I have an issues that only pops up when I am out climbing sand dunes. About 15 - 20 mins into climbing some steep dunes my temp gauge shoots up to about 3/4's, then when I stop and leave the engine running it takes about 1 - 2 mins and comes straight back down to half and a little lower.

My 99 prado always sits on half in all other conditions even heavy off road. Any suggestions?

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

Auto or manual?


Chuck

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

Sounds like your cooling system needs a clean and flush to me.

Climbing sand dunes usually means higher revs in low gear work, whereas "heavy off road" to me indicates slow speed crawling etc.

As it cools down when stationary should indicate the vicous fan clutch is okay, the sand work is loading your system up basically.

Have you checked the condition of the radiator fins etc, it is a 10 year old vehicle so well and truly due a cooling system clean in my opinion

Lee

[cvera Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cvera]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

Yeah, It is a manual.....

I too feel that it may need a flush of the radiator. The radiator fins seem to look ok.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

You're making the engine work harder = more heat. But road speed is down so cooling is affected. I'd look at the flush solution too.

Are you letting your tyres down before engaging in the sand?

[Mallory Black Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mallory Black]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

have someone also check your radiator fan clutch. It may be getting a bit tired and need either replaement or just have the fan clutch fluid replaced.
Dune work is very hard on a cooling system and the fan itself might not be drawing air through the radiator fast enougn and this is kind of test that will show it up

[cvera Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cvera]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

Yeah, I guess that is a couple of things to check out I guess.

Yeah, I take the tyres right down to about 13-14psi when on sand.

[jcas24 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close jcas24]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

mine once overheated on the beach cause it was full of mud from the w/e b4 ops:

[Yowie in Oz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Yowie in Oz]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

I had my whole radiator system flushed not long ago. The guys there showed me a piece of radiator core they had cut for demonstration purposes from a petrol Prado. It was completely blocked and that it was becoming to be a common problem. I didn't want to be left stranded on my way to the Toperi Challenge, so let him remove my radiator completely, and dismantle it. This assured me that all my cores were in good nick. He also informed me that there are two Toyoyta coolants. It is vital that you use the correct one. They have different anti-corrosions and conditioners in them. Apparently they are better then the everyday green coolant you buy. Also, for the Prado owners with Automatics, some good advise, it is also recommended to add an oil cooler for your automatic transmission. This helps keep the auto transmission cooler, and saves the life of your gearbox. Hope this helps.

Yowie

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

Don't know about the petrol engined toyotas but over here in NZ we have a common problem with the viscous couplings on the 1KZ engines packing it in at around the 300,000 km mark. A diesel engine mechanic mate of mine told me that his company has a policy of locking up the fan clutches on all of their toyota utes petrol and diesel.

[shawsie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shawsie]

Re: Overheating on the Sand Dunes PLease Help

I can't say that I've had any engine temp issues generally although I have have had my radiator replaced & flushed due to oile cooler problems. I also installed an Oil Cooler & gauge and am much happier when you can actually see when the temp rises due to hard work. Hard work means high revs driving through very soft sand at slower speeds. Cools down nicely when stopped and great for peace of mind.