Watercooled 1.6TD Joker - overheating AND cab heater fault

[Munich Joker]

Hi all,

So I have searched the forums and found out some ideas but still to no avail!!

I need help, my 86 1.6TD Joker pop top is having some cooling issues, for a while now I have had an intermittent water issue, (I would need to top up with water every week for one month, then not at all for 2 months then every other day for a week etc) but I do not seem to have found the issue!
Now the problem seems to be worsening as I had to stop while driving due to it over heating! This has coincided with the cab heating not working (blower fans work, slider won't work is set in the middle and springs back there if moved to the hot or the cold settings?)

Any ideas??

Also does anyone know where I can get a haynes style manual for my beloved van (1986 1.6TD Joker watercooled)

Thanks all

[Ian Hulley]

Haynes do not do a manual specifically for the diesel, the watercookled manual covers the vehicle mechanics and cooling system except the engine.

The heat control valve is under the floor of the van below the heater box ... sounds like either the valve has failed or something is fouling it's operation (my money's on the former)

The leak needs finding and the system correctly bleeding before more permanent (and expensive) damage is caused.

Good luck and welcome to the forum ... Munich is a fantastic city in a beautiful area, we stayed at the municipal campsite at Thalkirchen 3 years ago.

Ian

[Titus A Duxass]

Hi,
My JX did the same, it turned out to be the head gasket.

Amazon.co.uk will send you a Haynes manual (not the cheap option) if you are desperate - but it is not diesel specific.
There are some reasonable German ones about.

[Munich Joker]

Thanks guys,

Ian I think i#ll have a look at your sugestion before worring that its the head gasket The camp site you stayed it actually 2 mins from where I live walk past it frequently!!

I have some german manuals but my technical german is not the greatest and the pictures are rubish!!

[Ian Hulley]

We found out afterwards a work colleague lives just across the bridge from the u-bahn station and Netto Express ... small world. Our lot, Kev the Rev, Madwitch and Bernie Inn stayed there for a few days 3 years ago .. spent ages watching the kids surfing in the river

[Titus A Duxass]

Agreed the pictures are rubbish in most German manuals.
If you need anything translating give me a shout (after 12 years I have reasonable grip on the Sprache).

Check the hose/pipe from the dalek cap to the overflow/top up tank behind the number plate.
They perish and let coolant out.

[Munich Joker]

Thanks Titus, Ive been here 5 years but the Deutsch is still a pain!!! Thas the hose that has split I picked one up from ATU today but so cold not gonna do it today

@Ian - that netto is opposite my building!!! Such a small world hey!!

[Woof]

Searching for answers to my own cooling issues and came across thins. Have you sorted the cab heating yet? Mine decided to do the auto-centering lever trick a while back. I found that the heater valve (up behind the spare wheel) was very stiff. Due to it's resistance and the length+angle of the control rod/wire outside the sleeve when fully open the rod/wire had bent when trying to close the heater leaving me with a spring that just pushed the lever to the middle whilst the valve remained fully open. If thats the case for you there should be enough spare length in the wire/rod that you can just trim the bent piece and refit.