temperature, all kinds of trouble
290GTD,
1) a few days ago I noticed that the factory fitted webasto didn't work...the display and controls work, but it doesn't heat.
2) then I noticed that the heating started to work much more slowly than before...usualy the vents start blowing lukewarm air when the temperature gauge reads 40°C and it becomes hot air when the gauge reads 80°C. Now it has to have 80°C fore minutes before the vents start blowing hot air.
3) then I did some highway traffic for the first time...normally the temperature sits at 85°C when cruising (110kph) and rises to 95 when flooring it for long times (140 kph +)
Now it rises to almost 115°C when doing only 110-120 kph. Even when idling after a long trip it shows 110°C.
4) The top speed used to be +150kph on the speedo (138kph real gps speed) , now it struggles to do 130 kph on the speedo. And it uses a little more diesel too.
5) When idling after highway trip the temperature gauge reads 110°C, the fan with the belt behind the radiator is turning and the two electric fans in front of the radiator are spinning full speed. still i can put my bare hand on the radiator!!!
Anybody any idea what's wrong, can you connect the dots??
thx so much for any suggestions!
Geoffrey
Things to check.
Fan belt tension.
Thermostat
Waterpump.
Take off oil filler cap and see if oil still dark, not milky.
Report back
As Chris says plus, the cool radiator could suggest a clogged radiator. If you disconnect the top and bottom hoses you can flush it through with a garden hose.
This doesn’t explain the lack of heat from the cabin heater though. This is the worrying bit, suggests head gasket problems, which can sometime be difficult to pin down on a diesel.
While you’ve got it drained down change the thermostat.
You do need to get this sorted before you cause engine damage.
Russ
As Chris says plus, the cool radiator could suggest a clogged radiator. If you disconnect the top and bottom hoses you can flush it through with a garden hose.
This doesn’t explain the lack of heat from the cabin heater though. This is the worrying bit, suggests head gasket problems, which can sometime be difficult to pin down on a diesel.
While you’ve got it drained down change the thermostat.
You do need to get this sorted before you cause engine damage.
Russ
Have you checked that you have sufficent coolant in circulation. You may have had a leak.
It sounds like lack of coolant, make sure that you have not got an air pocket in the system.
Second idea is that the coolant isn't circulating, that's why the rad is cold.
I had 3 of those engines in sprinters, the meat between first cylinder and timing chain is very narrow, and some cases the gasget splits, and you starts losing water, but when it really goes you know by the amount of steam expelled from exhaust, I'm guessing rads blocked or your losing water, do a chemical test to see if you have gases in water.
Funny you say that Ian, as far as I know the 290 was based on the design of the old 230 M102 engine and when I read the symtoms it put me in mind of a problem I had - all fine untill engine got warm then loss of power and overheating, along with increased fuel consumption. Turned out to be a very fine crack in the cylinder head.
Didn't want to suggest it as a possible diagnosis yet as it's better to eliminate the simple stuff first
Hi
check that the water system is pressurising when hot ...if not the coolant temperature will increase. possible causes of non pressurising is a breach of the coolant system integrity some where in the pipework heater matrix or control valve air in the system failed head gasket is there any loss of water ??
Hi Geoffrey,
I had a webasto fitted into my landy and had similar issues: problem was air got into the heating/cooling system (check by squeezing the tubes that go into and out of the webasto - if they depress too easily and you can 'feel' too much sloshing internally, you might have a leak). Also if the webasto stops altogether, depending on which model you have, it will not work if insufficient pressure is in the water pipes. Again, this might be a leak (which weren't so easy to detect on my landy for some reason).
Once you've changed your thermostat (which could also be a cause) and if you think the rad is OK, if the problem still persists go to a webasto specialist. They might be able to sort you out.
Good luck,
Ph
Found problem
Not nice
Blown head gasket
Well that's a bigger job than you would have liked. Are you up to doing it yourself?
Have you seen the gasket? is it obvious where it
s blown? if so that's fine but if not then while the head is off you might consider having it tested for cracks.
good luck with it all.
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This morning I checked coolant level with cold engine and it is fine. I also checked the engine oil and there is no sign of mixture with water.
I ordered a new themostat and I have a brandnew spare radiator that came with the truck...wonder why seller had a spare???thats an expensive spare no?