overheating doh

[bigpug]

hi, just a quick one never had a problem with this till the other day, i was on the motorway waiting in traffic due to a crash the temp after a while just kept rising till right at the end of temp gauge once moving it soon returned to normal. today i just nipped to get a few bits locally and got the old girl washed while it was being washed the same thing started to happen, i have checked the fuses for the fans they appear ok but not sure if they cut in or out, got a 100 mile round trip tomorrow, any ideas or fixes please thanks in advance.

[poddack]

What engine is it? On my XUD11 (2.1td) if I unplug the brown connector at the top water outlet hose and both fans will come on full speed, that will test them. Check your coolant level. It is normal for the engine temp to rise whilst stationary because there is no cool air being forced through the radiator, this is not a problem if the above is ok. You could open the windows and turn the heating up full if you are worried or until you get fans or whatever fixed.

[swiss]

I would say check your thermostat (remove it, suspend it water and boil, watching to see if it opens - or just buy a replacement), check your coolant level/renew the fluid and inspect your radiator and hoses.

However, since the problem went away when you were moving it suggests that the fans are shot. Put the car in the same situation (i.e. heat it right up then park it, see if the temp gets too high then get out and have a butchers at the fans). Could also use a multimeter to see if the fans are getting power when your engine is hot.

Are you packing a D9? If so there's probably some complex ECUery and/or witchcraft involved.

[bigpug]

hi i think its a d8. its a 1.9 td if that helps

[mjb]

as poddack says, disconnect the plug from the coolant temperature sensor (there may well be more than one) then stick the key in the ignition. Your fan(s) should fire up at full speed, otherwise you've got a dodgy fan(s) or relay(s)

[bigpug]

it has two cooling fans. are there any photos of engines on here as the picture in my haynes manual doesnt seem to look like my engine and where it says things are i dont think they are cheers

[mjb]

The coolant temperature sensor should have a small brown plug, and be located near where the top(?) hose from the radiator goes into the engine

[bigpug]

cheers for that buddie