overheating going up hills

[pgbang]

have been towing my caravan over the last 2 days and have noticed a worrying tendancy for the engine temperature to hit 120 when climbing prolonged steep hills. As soon as i get to the top it comes back down to 80. Is this something to worry about?

Its a 98 e300td estate with 147k miles.

Thanks

 

[renault12ts]

Are the electric fans operating??

 

[pgbang]

dont know. How can I check?

 

[renault12ts]

You may hear them. On the other hand, stop at the top of the hill, pull the bonnet and see if they're spinning. They are in front of the rad.

 

[pgbang]

pitched up in Dover now. Will go out for a run and check

 

[renault12ts]

pitched up in Dover now. Will go out for a run and check

They will not come on normally, but in the situation you described they should. So going for a run later will not do it, unless you take the caravan too!!

 

[pgbang]

will see tomorrow then.

Thanks

 

[stevesey]

I thought the electric fans were primarily for the air-con (although they should also come on if the temp is getting that high). Certainly I've only ever seen them on when the air-con is also on - but I've never one get that hot.

Checking the viscous coupling as well might be an idea - with car hot stick a carrot into the fan on the engine side. Sliced carrot - coupling fine, if the fan stops it's not (of course the thickness and hardness of the carrot may affect the results). Fingers should not enter the fan of course.

P.S. Collect slices afterwards and add to your camping tea.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

My father in law had similar symptoms on his Range Rover - only when towing up long hills - and it turned out to be a partially blocked radiator.

 

[SilverSaloon]

have been towing my caravan over the last 2 days and have noticed a worrying tendancy for the engine temperature to hit 120 when climbing prolonged steep hills. As soon as i get to the top it comes back down to 80. Is this something to worry about?

Its a 98 e300td estate with 147k miles.

Thanks

I wouldnt say its normal. I also tow a large caravan with my E300D estate (94 model) and it doesnt get that hot. It goes a little hotter than normal, but not that hot.

 

[DRBC43AMG]

I agree with what has been said up till now, but check also your expansion tank (correct level) and the pressure cap also. Had problems last week with my C43 heating going up the mountains. I changed the cap with an original MB piece (cheap) and problem solved

 

[bolide]

My E300 Diesel used to go above the normal reading when towing a big trailer - I'd expect it. But if it's heading for 120 degrees I'd suspect a partially-blocked rad

Get it hot and scan the rad with an infrared thermometer - that'll tell you if it has cold spots

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists

 

[bouncer]

On the Bosal tow bar website it says " Not for 300TD with air conditioning and/or stationary heating".

Bosal International

sTeVe

 

[SilverSaloon]

time for the usual photos i think. My E300D estate tows this caravan with no overheating. I also have aircon. True, its not the fastest thing off the block (even without a caravan on tow), but it does the job well.... not bad for 220,000 :bannana:

 

[Benzowner]

Mine used to run hotter when going up Telegraph Hill on the A38, a long steep hill. I found that by turning off the air con the car ran noticably cooler. However, not long after, a couple of months or so, the impellor on the pump disintegrated, and I wondered, in hindsight, if that was the beginning of the trouble.

 

[iscaboy]

Telegraph hill is the preferred testing ground for all things cooling / fanbelt related...

 

[SilverSaloon]

Telegraph hill is the preferred testing ground for all things cooling / fanbelt related...

and for brakes on the return trip?

 

[iscaboy]

and for brakes on the return trip?

d2

 

[pgbang]

just as as update,have just got back from France where I hadnoNo problems what so ever

 

[pgbang]

just as an update, I just got back to Dover, and havent had any recurance of the overheating despite towing up a few hills. It will be interesting to see how things go on the way to Holyhead now. Thanks for the advice.