Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: South East
Posts: 17
D3 Overheating issue
Hi all
Currently have a problem with D3 overheating under load. When under load/going up a hill the fan starts up, and the temperature guage goes from bang in the middle of the scale straight to the top within about a second, so no real warning, and on inspection coolant pouring out of expansion tank cap.
Has had a couple of new caps, have looked all over for leaks but only leaks are when its under load. I can sit in the car when its stationary and rev it continuously but shows no symptoms, but as soon as its out on the road it all happens again.
I've tried bleeding the coolant system multiple times, but doesn't seem to make any difference. Sometimes after road test the coolant is right down to the bottom, and sometimes it is right up to the cap, even after being left to cool down. No signs of water in oil and doesn't seem to smoke.
Any ideas? It's beginning to drive me wild now
10th Nov 2013 11:57 pm
stchris
Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Warwick
Posts: 335
Blocked rad by the sounds of it, may be worth trying a flush. Is the coolant a nice orange colour?
Then have the water pump out to inspect the impellar for damage (not pumping enough)
Or possibly a jammed thermostat but more likely one of the other two if only o/heating under load.
11th Nov 2013 12:14 am
Magnum310
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: South East
Posts: 17
To be fair it does looks like the coolant might be a little cloudy to me after its been run through the system. I've had the car a few months but when I first picked it up it was running on 'blue' coolant, which i gather can contribute to blocking the system somewhere?
I had it pressure tested by a garage which came back fine, they suggested maybe a head gasket/head issue so needless to say I'd like to explore the simpler options first!
11th Nov 2013 12:30 am
Kingmav66
Member Since: 20 Jul 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1349
EGR cooler(s)
11th Nov 2013 2:49 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Check for hydrocarbons (bung someone at a garage or MoT station a tenner and use the emissions sniffer over an open coolant cap for a few seconds).
Use an IR thermometer to map temperatures across the radiator and coolant lines.
Check for correct operation of thermostat, pump and ECT sensor.
Check that the coolant lines are plumbed in correctly.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: South East
Posts: 17
Cheers guys, very helpful as usual! I should have said that the car (an 07...) had a new LR engine in 2011 30,000 miles ago but on the job sheet only looks like one EGR valve was changed so other one could be a problem I guess.
I had the usual 'Low coolant level' for a while and so changed the bottle and cap as there seemed to be a bit of coolant excaping from the cap but it's never been this bad.
The first time that this happened in a big way I was nursing her home with the battery light on which turned out to be the alternator, but didnt make it back as she drained all her coolant - could that be linked?
All hoses are in place, no damage, will look into getting a hydrocarbon test
11th Nov 2013 12:43 pm
Ceekay
Member Since: 17 May 2009
Location: Bury
Posts: 2088
I would of thought that if all your coolant went through the egr coolers and escaped into the the exhaust it would be smoking white smoke out the exhaust as mine did when that happened?
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11th Nov 2013 5:37 pm
Magnum310
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: South East
Posts: 17
Bit of an update - Turns out to be a head gasket and probable cracked block, so she's well and truly stuffed. Don;t know whether to bother having a new lump put in or just sell it as is to be honest.
18th Nov 2013 4:32 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Sorry to hear the news.
Did you get any warranty on the new engine as 2 years and only 30k is pretty shocking?
I would be more minded to get if fixed than just giving up, but I appreciate the pain.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Warwick
Posts: 335
Ouch, sorry to hear that mate, do you know the mechanic well? If not I'd be tempted to get a second opinion.
18th Nov 2013 10:33 pm
Magnum310
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: South East
Posts: 17
Hi all, think i'm getting over the shock!
I think it only came with the standard LR 1 year warranty unfortunately, so doesn't look like I have much comeback.
I ended it up sending it to 3 garages - first couldn't find a fault, 2nd thought maybe head problem but replaced coolant cap as it wasn't holding required pressure, and 3rd was a trip to main dealer who diagnosed gasket/block fault
Beginning to wish i kept my previous (slightly) more reliable D3!
20th Nov 2013 10:45 pm
Magnum310
Member Since: 09 Nov 2010
Location: South East
Posts: 17
Another update - Just had it pointed out that where coolant was collecting on the bottle mount after coming out of the cap, looks like little bronzey coloured particles in it which look to be K-Seal/Steel seal or something similar - Could possibly have spotted it when i bought it which makes it worse!
27th Nov 2013 5:36 pm
TOMCAT102
Member Since: 29 Dec 2014
Location: INGATESTONE
Posts: 1
Hi, we are having the exact same issue with a D3. Did you get the head gasket sorted on yours? Did this solve the issue? Our one is showing no signs of a head gasket failure. We have fitted a new rad and thermostat, it will sit stationary revving at around 3,000 rpm all day with no issues. As soon as its underload temp goes right up and coolant then leaks from header tank cap.
Thanks
17th Oct 2017 1:34 pm
Globetrotter448
Member Since: 21 Mar 2017
Location: Londonderry NSW
Posts: 1807
These use a thermostatic fan that runs when temp is up make sure that's happening. Try and stop the fan with a roll of newspaper - if it stops you have a problem.
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