Over heating while idling for an hour

[ro6er]

I was stuck in traffic this morning and I noticed my temp was going up and up. I had to stop in town after a while to cool it down, it was definitely overheating Normally I never get stuck in traffic (normally bike to work) so I guessed I've never noticed this. Do you think this could be the fan? Or something else? If it's the fan where's best to check first etc??

It's fine if I'm going in a straight line, that's why I'm thinking either the fan or thermostat.

I have a 1.9 petrol 1984 vw t25 caravelle if that help's.

Thanks for any help/advice.

Roger

[California Dreamin]

Simply put......whilst static, there is little or no air movement through the radiator, so even on the coldest of days your engine can overheat.

Thermo switch would be my guess, obviously check the fuse first.

Two speed fan?

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... ory_id=118

Remove lower front grille, the switch is on the right lower side as you look at it...one in one out it is possible to change with minimal coolant loss.
Bleed screw top left of rad.

Martin

[Ian Hulley]

As Martin says ^^

You can test the fan itself by taking the plug off the switch on the rad and using a short piece of cable bridging the thick wire to each of the other wires in turn ... if you get the second (fast) speed first it will make you jump

Ian

[ro6er]

I'll have a look on Sat with the grill off, I'm guessing I should see some movement or feel some air. Then I'll try the cable thing, I guess at least it'll get my heart rate up in this weather if I do jump

Thanks,

Roger

[Plasticman]

I'll have a look on Sat with the grill off, I'm guessing I should see some movement or feel some air. Then I'll try the cable thing, I guess at least it'll get my heart rate up in this weather if I do jump

Thanks,

Roger

you will do more than feel some movement, as said ^^^^ the 2nd speed will make you let go
mm

[ro6er]

Yeah I think my first shock might be simply trying to get home without over heating in all the flippin traffic: http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/stoke

Might make use of the bed in the back if all else fails

[Plasticman]

ta for that link , much faster than highways agency one to load
mm

[jamesc76]

I have a "chicken switch" that I can switch stage 2 of the fan on myself, very rarely have to use it as stage one normally kicks in fine, but stage 2 takes a lot of power, even makes the revs drop switching it in!

[Ian Hulley]

I have a "chicken switch" that I can switch stage 2 of the fan on myself, very rarely have to use it as stage one normally kicks in fine, but stage 2 takes a lot of power, even makes the revs drop switching it in!

Ditto that ^^ Handy when you see a massoooof long Swiss hill coming up or you're sat in traffic and instead of sitting and nervously watching the needle go up ... will it or won't it

[California Dreamin]

I know I feel alot more confident with a (new) quality switch in place. This years Austrian and Swiss passes were negated without the needle nudging much passed half way and the first speed bursting into life...very reassuring.



Martin

[ro6er]

Well I made it back with quite allot of traffic but no 1 hour stand still. One thing I forgot to mention is the cable from the header tank popped off a few times. Would that affect the fan management? I still think the fan isn't kicking in but I'll do some more faffing on the weekend.

Thanks,

Roger

[Ian Hulley]

One thing I forgot to mention is the cable from the header tank popped off a few times. Would that affect the fan management?

No, just the red flashing light should come on and stay on till you reset by turning the ignition off and on again.

Ian

[ro6er]

When the cable pops out it flashes and goes to max temp on the gauge while driving. I then stop and pop it back in and it's near half so I guess it's not that like you say.

Thanks,

Roger

[California Dreamin]

I still think the fan isn't kicking in

Even on 'First Speed' these fans are pretty noisey...you would know if the fan was kicking in, thats for certain.

However, under normal circumstance you would never get the fan to come on this time of year, the hour long 'jam' being the exception to the rule.
Martin

[1664]

My fan never kicks in if the van is actually moving, the flow of air caused by driving seems to be sufficient to cool the rad. Doesn't take long if I pull over or get stuck in traffic though; cuts in as the needle just passes half way.

I don't have a 'chicken switch'.