Power steering and radiator overheating on 2016 Prado Kakadu petrol

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Power steering and radiator overheating on 2016 Prado Kakadu, petrol

Seeking some advice on the above issue re possible remedies. Engine temp gauge went almost into the red twice whilst 4 wheel driving in difficult terrain (about 35 degrees C) in low range and then power steering reservoir lost fluid through pressure build up and either steering racks or box made awful straining noises. These noises went away when engine and transmission cooled down.

So, I get it that this was hard yakka for the poor old Prado but it is virtually brand new and was serviced 2 days before. There was additional weight in the rear of the Prado as well so the vehicle probably weighed 2.7 tonne.

Air conditioner was blowing hot air also so I also incurred the wrath of my wife as this was of course my fault!

So, can I assume that the standard radiator is useless in these conditions noting that it was fine on the way home and on the way down.

We were crawling very slowly over very rough terrain in a convoy so movement was minimal and there was the possibility of some mud caught in the front of the vehicle.

I later literally drove the Prado into a dam (up to the front bumper) and used a bucket to throw water thought the front end and radiator to clear it and cool it which did make some difference but did not totally fix the issue.

Questions:

1. Should I fit a transmission cooler and will this do anything to cool the power steering which was also overheating?
2. Should I source and install a larger radiator with greater cooling capacity?
3. Would the bash plates installed underneath have interfered with radiator cooling and heat dissipation?

To be honest, if you look into the radiator through the grill there is so much electrical crap in the way that you can hardly see the radiator!

Anyone who has experienced similar issues and found a good solution, I would be interested to hear your advice.

Regards

David.

[Guest Close Guest]

Need to start with a good clean and inspection of the radiator and go from there.

[reddevil25 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close reddevil25]

Is the air cond unit in front of the radiator -- maybe that was clogged causing the acc not to work

Check the mud is all cleared from the radiator and air cond panel and not inbetween them as well

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Excellent advice.

Thanks

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

A pretty poor show for such an expensive vehicle.
Perhaps you may have blocked the radiator with mud from earlier in the trip?
Indicators seem to point to poor air flow typically from mud. The bottom section of the radiator is prone to damage and general mudding up.
Think your aircon issue was just the engine ecu doing its job. When coolant temps soar, the engine ecu will cut the aircon (amongst other things) in order to reduce engine loads.
But to boil the power steer fluid…... things have got very hot.

[Guest Close Guest]

Sounds like it's been loaded up and pushed hard with a probable blocked radiator.
The power steering cooler may also be blocked up or bash plates not letting enough air thru to be effective.

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

If my diesel can hack doing tough stuff in near 50 degrees without popping it's top I would suggest you have a bigger issue which a larger radiator won't solve.

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

Yeah I think something is wrong here. I've never seen the temp gauge move no matter how hot it gets. Even towing a trailer for 70miles up Fraser in soft sand in 35 degrees. No power loss, no heat soak, no worries.


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[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Yes I think I did get significant mud in it!

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Yeah this all sounds like very astute advice.

I did hit a mud wall earlier in the trip as I could see all the mud caked onto the winch cable housing. I later cleaned all this out which made some difference. Later on in the trip I threw buckets and buckets of water through the radiator from both sides and this did make a difference. I do have bash plates underneath which do clog up. I am taking it in to Totoya tomorrow as Prado is still under warranty and if the radiator etc needs cleaning out, so be it.

Thanks for the useful advice.

David (amateur 4 wheeler obviously with stupidly expensive vehicle!!!!!!)

[pradokakadudavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradokakadudavid]

Definitely

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

David (amateur 4 wheeler obviously with stupidly expensive vehicle!!!!!!)

LMFAO !
Good to see a genuine bloke
(And im still laughing at your brackets)
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

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

Warranty and Toyota should be your best friend for a 2016 vehicle

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

David it can be hard to get the mud out, especially when it dries and hardens with the temperature in the radiator/condenser. #1's pooey ute was like that. Hosed it out and finally pulled the radiator. Empty that thing weighed about 60kg! Full of hard mud. Soaked it in a tub for two days to clean it properly.

As others have said first time I have heard any issue with overheating in such a new vehicle.

[Lski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lski]

Does sound a bit odd David. Interested to hear what Toyota have to say!