Strange Overheating problem with my OHC

moralfibre · 22nd July 2007, 16:22

toiingg, perform a coolant leak test on your car. This is how you do it:

Connect the shown device to your coolant tank and then add pressure using the gun. If there is any leak then coolant will start spooling out. Hope that helps.

yuv · 22nd July 2007, 16:45

Since everything else has been covered... have you tried cleaning the radiator itself? Maybe its choked... not completely, which explains no heating while in motion.

You could try flushing the radiator...

My 2 cents

... All the best!

GTO · 23rd July 2007, 14:42

Its a typical and old problem with the OHC. Your fan has conked off. In the company it may cost you upward of 10000 but only about 2 - 4 grand in the aftermarket.

viper · 23rd July 2007, 15:12

Errrrrr Rush,

He has mentioned that his radiator fan rather both fans are working.

Viper

toiingg · 23rd July 2007, 15:13

First of all, a big thanks for all you guys who responded to the query, and sorry for not replying for the past 2 days (was away for the weekend.. will tell more about that in another thread with pics).

It gets weirder...

I got the fan checked, I drove around for some time and then went to my mechanic and we let the engine run with the car stationary for sometime, sure enough, the temp needle started rising and we expected the thermostat switch to be the culprit as it was not putting the radiator fan 'on' when it was supposed to.

However, the fans DID come on (means the switch was fine) but just for about 15 - 20 seconds (this is what the problem was). When my mechanic connected the wire directly on the switch, and the fan was switched on for about 1 min, the temp went down to normal.
I think the problem is that the thermostat switch is not putting the fans on for more than 10 seconds and thats why the engine is overheating. If the fan is allowed to be on for about 1 min, the temp becomes normal.

Well, i got the thermostat switch changed (bought the switch @600/- from the same place as i had last time) but the problem still persists. I think the switch i got was not original and I'll get another one and see what happens.

Fingers crossed.

Jaggu · 23rd July 2007, 15:48

Also check the temp gauge calibration by connecting an external one, just to double check.

toiingg · 24th July 2007, 11:28

Is there any way that the time that the fans come 'on' for can be increased ?

Jaggu · 24th July 2007, 11:35

Not sure on how its controlled in OHC, since its an ECU car it might have to be done in conjunction with sensors and ECU programming. Its better you consult an competent workshop and get the job done.

Ford Rocam · 24th July 2007, 11:57

please check your engine coolant temp sensor or the wiring going to that sensor for any cut or loose connections.

2fast4u · 24th July 2007, 12:03

yes thats right ford rocam.
its the coolant temperature switch. Locate it, unplug it and the fans should turn on.

toiingg · 5th July 2008, 20:05

The overheating problem was solved a long time back, just thought of updating this thread so that others facing a similar problem would know what to do.

So as you guys know, i had tried replacing the thermostat (twice) but the problem refused to go away. I had almost leaned to live with it, decided to get it done from H.A.S.S when i would be taking her for her 1lakh.. (another 3k to go) service. I knew they would make me pay thru my nose but i had no other options. Till then, whenever the temp needle would go too high, i would just switch on the AC for about a minute and the temp needle would come back to normal (remember this would only happen when crawling in bumper to bumper traffic).

So I was also looking for a good garage/mechanic and was referred to one by our Kolkata BHP'ians (Planet & shuvd). Went to him with a couple of queries.. just general checkup etc. and just told him of the problem. He said that prolly your raidiator is clogged with dust. That seemed unlikely coz just around 10-15 days back i had taken it to a petrol pump for a water service (where they put the car up a ramp and hose it with high pressure water and then compressed air) i had seen that the guys had sprayed the raidiator as well and cleaned it.

Then he said 'aha' thats what the problem is. You see, most of these guys hose it down first, then use the compressed air to dry it off. What happens is, although most of the mud comes off, still there is plenty left in the fins which become wet and before it is completely washed off, the compressed air drys it and it solidifys in the fins again.

Well, although the reasoning made sence, i thought 'arre kitna hoga'. He said what should ideally be done is,

1. Use the compressed air to first blow off the dry mud from the raidiator. (both from the front as well as from behind the AC condensor)
2. Then use the high pressure water hose.
3. Use the compressed air again to dry it off.

He made his mechanic do exactly that, and indeed i could see the dry mud (dust) being blowed out of the raidiator. He followed step 2 & 3.

The overheating problem did go away after that. I could not imagine how such a small thing could solve the issue which was bothering me. Lol.

Best part was, the mechanic did not charge me anything for it. Not even a penny even though i insisted that he least take some service charge. I could imagine, any unhonest chap, could have cooked up some story or the other (sir, raidiator flush kar ke andar ka valve change karna parega.. etc) and made some quick money but i was really amazed with his professional attitude and honesty.

Thanks Shazid / Suman.
Thanks a ton to everyone for their suggestions and help.

PS: MODS, please update the topic as Solved.

Over and out!

AbhiJ · 5th July 2008, 20:22

Dude... who was this mechanic ?

Honest mechanics are rare... please PM me his contact details so I can also go to his regarding my Accent's problems !!

22nd July 2007, 16:22	#16
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,451 Thanked: 13,973 Times	toiingg, perform a coolant leak test on your car. This is how you do it: Connect the shown device to your coolant tank and then add pressure using the gun. If there is any leak then coolant will start spooling out. Hope that helps.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2007, 16:45	#17
yuv BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 165 Thanked: 76 Times	Since everything else has been covered... have you tried cleaning the radiator itself? Maybe its choked... not completely, which explains no heating while in motion. You could try flushing the radiator... My 2 cents ... All the best!
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 14:42	#18
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,762 Times View My Garage	Its a typical and old problem with the OHC. Your fan has conked off. In the company it may cost you upward of 10000 but only about 2 - 4 grand in the aftermarket.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 15:12	#19
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 19 Times	Errrrrr Rush, He has mentioned that his radiator fan rather both fans are working. Viper
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 15:13	#20
toiingg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 639 Thanked: 266 Times	First of all, a big thanks for all you guys who responded to the query, and sorry for not replying for the past 2 days (was away for the weekend.. will tell more about that in another thread with pics). It gets weirder... I got the fan checked, I drove around for some time and then went to my mechanic and we let the engine run with the car stationary for sometime, sure enough, the temp needle started rising and we expected the thermostat switch to be the culprit as it was not putting the radiator fan 'on' when it was supposed to. However, the fans DID come on (means the switch was fine) but just for about 15 - 20 seconds (this is what the problem was). When my mechanic connected the wire directly on the switch, and the fan was switched on for about 1 min, the temp went down to normal. I think the problem is that the thermostat switch is not putting the fans on for more than 10 seconds and thats why the engine is overheating. If the fan is allowed to be on for about 1 min, the temp becomes normal. Well, i got the thermostat switch changed (bought the switch @600/- from the same place as i had last time) but the problem still persists. I think the switch i got was not original and I'll get another one and see what happens. Fingers crossed.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 15:48	#21
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Also check the temp gauge calibration by connecting an external one, just to double check.
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 11:28	#22
toiingg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 639 Thanked: 266 Times	Is there any way that the time that the fans come 'on' for can be increased ?
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 11:35	#23
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Not sure on how its controlled in OHC, since its an ECU car it might have to be done in conjunction with sensors and ECU programming. Its better you consult an competent workshop and get the job done.
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 11:57	#24
Ford Rocam BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai-India Posts: 878 Thanked: 23 Times	please check your engine coolant temp sensor or the wiring going to that sensor for any cut or loose connections.
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 12:03	#25
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	yes thats right ford rocam. its the coolant temperature switch. Locate it, unplug it and the fans should turn on.
	() Thanks

5th July 2008, 20:05	#26
toiingg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 639 Thanked: 266 Times	Update - Solved The overheating problem was solved a long time back, just thought of updating this thread so that others facing a similar problem would know what to do. So as you guys know, i had tried replacing the thermostat (twice) but the problem refused to go away. I had almost leaned to live with it, decided to get it done from H.A.S.S when i would be taking her for her 1lakh.. (another 3k to go) service. I knew they would make me pay thru my nose but i had no other options. Till then, whenever the temp needle would go too high, i would just switch on the AC for about a minute and the temp needle would come back to normal (remember this would only happen when crawling in bumper to bumper traffic). So I was also looking for a good garage/mechanic and was referred to one by our Kolkata BHP'ians (Planet & shuvd). Went to him with a couple of queries.. just general checkup etc. and just told him of the problem. He said that prolly your raidiator is clogged with dust. That seemed unlikely coz just around 10-15 days back i had taken it to a petrol pump for a water service (where they put the car up a ramp and hose it with high pressure water and then compressed air) i had seen that the guys had sprayed the raidiator as well and cleaned it. Then he said 'aha' thats what the problem is. You see, most of these guys hose it down first, then use the compressed air to dry it off. What happens is, although most of the mud comes off, still there is plenty left in the fins which become wet and before it is completely washed off, the compressed air drys it and it solidifys in the fins again. Well, although the reasoning made sence, i thought 'arre kitna hoga'. He said what should ideally be done is, 1. Use the compressed air to first blow off the dry mud from the raidiator. (both from the front as well as from behind the AC condensor) 2. Then use the high pressure water hose. 3. Use the compressed air again to dry it off. He made his mechanic do exactly that, and indeed i could see the dry mud (dust) being blowed out of the raidiator. He followed step 2 & 3. The overheating problem did go away after that. I could not imagine how such a small thing could solve the issue which was bothering me. Lol. Best part was, the mechanic did not charge me anything for it. Not even a penny even though i insisted that he least take some service charge. I could imagine, any unhonest chap, could have cooked up some story or the other (sir, raidiator flush kar ke andar ka valve change karna parega.. etc) and made some quick money but i was really amazed with his professional attitude and honesty. Thanks Shazid / Suman. Thanks a ton to everyone for their suggestions and help. PS: MODS, please update the topic as Solved. Over and out! Last edited by toiingg : 5th July 2008 at 20:11. Reason: Grammer
	() Thanks

5th July 2008, 20:22	#27
AbhiJ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,476 Thanked: 1,207 Times	Dude... who was this mechanic ? Honest mechanics are rare... please PM me his contact details so I can also go to his regarding my Accent's problems !!
	() Thanks