CRD Overheating Issues

[Roach]

Hey guys,

This past September I had an ARB bull bar & a CRDSTU lift kit put on the KJ. So far I love it, but since the summer's started over here in Western Australia I've noticed the engine seems to heat up far quicker than it used to. It seems to happen whenever the temp outside is higher than 30C, especially in hilly terrain and when I've got the air con on. The gauge is typically up between 3/4 and red a lot of the time in this scenario.

My question is, is this just a result of the added weight of the bullbar and the added wind resistance? Is it typical of modded KJs?

Or is there an underlying issue with the radiator that just happened to show itself after I put the bullbar/lift kit on?

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks

[Megas]

My setup is are bull bar with winch, snorkel, 2" lift at running MT 31".
I changed the thermostats and temp never has gone above half I use antifreeze at a 50/50 mix jeep takes about 5 mins to get to working temp.


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[Lancer]

I don't think that the added weight of the ARB or the lift would make a difference, unless the cooling system is on the edge from other causes.

For example, the radiator could need flushing. After a time "goop" can build up in the radiator from old coolant. It may not show until you put just a bit more load on it. I had this problem a few years ago. The coolant had been changed at the recommended intervals, but the mechanic recommended a flush as the first (and cheapest) procedure to try. I watched while he did it (the dealer had a flushing machine), and at first only clear water came out, then blobs of a jelly-like stuff, then a lump of it until we were back to completely clear. After a refill of 50/50 HOAT and distilled water (we can't use tap water in London, its too hard), it ran fine, and the temp stayed just below the half mark.

We changed the thermostat a few months ago, as it had failed in the open position, but they can fail in the shut position as well. I'd check that the radiator is clear of debris and mud first; if it isn't blocked, then its worth trying a flush, and if that doesn't do it then check that the water pump is working THEN look at the thermostat. Don't forget that the aircon can dump a lot of heat into the rad.

[glend]

Any time the gauge gets up that high the engine management system is shutting down things to protect the engine. GDE had a good write-up on their forum about exactly what it does at various gauge positions - worth tracking down.
No 3/4 is never normal and I've never seen it on mine, with a TJM bar, bash plates, infill panel, snorkel, etc. Were you towing at the time?
I would get the cooling system checked first. I had a mate with a 2005 CRD that found his radiator was clogged up because the previous owner, or some mechanic, had put the wrong coolant in the system. He had to get the radiator cored out with a metal rod to getflow going again - new radiators can be expensive with no after-market replacement.
I switched over to the US V6 towing system eleven blade fan, and the Haydon Severe Duty fan clutch - which moves more air and the clutch lockup happens at lower rpm than stock. But verify everything is working correctly before trying to 'mod' around it.

[Lancer]

I have the same mods as Glend (except for the infill panel), including the Haydon clutch and the nylon fan. As he says, don't go for mods until everything else is good.

[Methamon]

Had same issue on KJ Petrol turned out that i needed a new radiator at 90000km all good now while i was at it got a auto cooler installed with fan also and remove the winch (never used it in 2 years was just added weight) and removed spotties of bullbar and put on a light bar instead

[DarrenR]

Originally Posted by Roach

Hey guys,

This past September I had an ARB bull bar & a CRDSTU lift kit put on the KJ. So far I love it, but since the summer's started over here in Western Australia I've noticed the engine seems to heat up far quicker than it used to. It seems to happen whenever the temp outside is higher than 30C, especially in hilly terrain and when I've got the air con on. The gauge is typically up between 3/4 and red a lot of the time in this scenario.

My question is, is this just a result of the added weight of the bullbar and the added wind resistance? Is it typical of modded KJs?

Or is there an underlying issue with the radiator that just happened to show itself after I put the bullbar/lift kit on?

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks

All the accessories on a KJ makes no difference, they are built tough.

Common issues on a CRD (and Petrol);
*Failed or weak viscous fan assembly.
*Leaking radiator (petrol model).
*Blocked radiator.
*Blocked lower radiator hose.
*Poor condition of cooling system.

My guess is viscous fan assembly.

Regards
Daz