Technical 1.9JTD sx Cargo - Getting hot & bothered.

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Technical 1.9JTD sx Cargo - Getting hot & bothered.

Niall_G

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Mrs_G's Doblo is currently being repaired at my local independant garage.

While doing her regular run (Wellingborough, Manchester, Liverpool, Coventry, Milton Keynes) Mrs_G noted that the temperature gauge was heading for the red. She had done about 100 miles, cruising at about 65mph.

She called me and I got her to check that there was no water dripping out of the engine compartment, that there was no steam when she opened the bonnet and that the heater blew hot air. All OK. So there must be water in there.

The RAC attended and were at a loss. They followed Mrs_G for about 20 miles as she aborted her run and headed for home. The temperature was ok as long as she kept the speed down to below 60mph.

The next day I took the van out for a test. Sure enough all was OK at low speeds but as soon as I made the engine work hard (90mph for a few miles) the needle headed up into the red.

When checked there seemed to be very little pressure in the cooling system so a new expansion bottle cap was obtained and fitted. The subsequent test drive showed no improvement. When I stopped both fans were spinning but very little heat was being blown out - the radiator was cold.

I suspect the thermostat has failed and have obtained a new one £53 + vat !!

More on this when we get the van back on Monday.
 
53 quid plus vat. They are surely having a larf arent they?.
 
53 quid plus vat. They are surely having a larf arent they?.

That's what I thought until I saw it. It's a complete housing that has the thermostat mechanism built inside it, a number of connectors for the pipe work and at least 1 sensor.

Still not a bargain but you can see why it costs more than a traditional thermostat. It may be possible to source it more cheaply elsewhere but Mrs_G's Doblo is a commercial vehicle that earns nothing standing still and so needs to be back on the road asap.
 
DOH!

The fault is still there with the new thermostat fitted.

Begining to suspect the water pump may have lost its impeller - A new pump was fitted as a precaution at the last cam belt change. It would be ironic if the new pump has failed so soon when the original lasted more than 200,000 miles.

More as it happens...

Same Doblo time, Same Doblo channel.............
 
Oh dear, that's strange Niall thermostat was the first thing I would have said. Surely though if the radiator is blowing out cold air when the fans are on, and it's not actually overheating then the guage is wrong? Could the guage itself be faulty?
 
The gauge seems fine - on tickover you can make the needle drop by putting the heater on max with the internal fan on max.

They've taken out the radiator (far from easy with the aircon gubbins) and it doesn't seem to flow very well.

This is starting to get expensive....

For Sale: 2004 Doblo Cargo JTD sx a/c
Excellent condition (especially the heater - very good for the cold weather), lovingly cared for, lowish milage (for a 747). Open to reasonable offers.
 
I think nows the time to get your own back on Fiat Niall...

Part Ex it for a new one, without telling them about the problem, they won't notice because they aren't going to drive it over 60 for a long time and once you've got you're new one it's their problem ;) ooops I shouldn't be saying that :)
 
I think nows the time to get your own back on Fiat Niall...

Part Ex it for a new one, without telling them about the problem, they won't notice because they aren't going to drive it over 60 for a long time and once you've got you're new one it's their problem ;) ooops I shouldn't be saying that :)

Tempted!
 
TIZ FIXED !!! On a test I took the ole girl up a steep hill (van that is, not Mrs_G thankyou Ozzie) at about 85mph and the temp gauge stayed in the same position all the way up - right in the middle.

The new radiator did the trick. The original appears to have become blocked even though the coolant has been changed as per the service schedule - Unless the fiat stealer didn't actually carry out the job.

The radiator has both the inlet and outlet hoses on the same side of the radiator. The outlet is some considerable way up from the bottom of the radiator. I assume there is an internal baffle between the inlet and outlet to force the coolant to pass across the radiator twice before it leaves. I seems obvious that the tubes lower than the outlet will flow much more slowly than those that are in line with it. They would seem bound to get blocked.

In future the van will be getting a complete flush and coolant replacement with every cambelt service - about once very 10 months for Mrs_G's van.

Now just got to get some new front brakes under warranty (not fiats of course). New discs and pads were fitted due to brake effort fluctuations (thats warped discs to you and me) at the recent MOT. Two months later the new ones have gone the same way - At least I won't be paying for these, I'll be insisting on new pads as well.
 
Mrs_G has now done her regular 366 mile run three times since the van was fixed. All appears well.
 
TIZ FIXED !!!

The radiator has both the inlet and outlet hoses on the same side of the radiator. The outlet is some considerable way up from the bottom of the radiator. I assume there is an internal baffle between the inlet and outlet to force the coolant to pass across the radiator twice before it leaves. I seems obvious that the tubes lower than the outlet will flow much more slowly than those that are in line with it. They would seem bound to get blocked.

In future the van will be getting a complete flush and coolant replacement with every cambelt service - about once very 10 months for Mrs_G's van.

Now just got to get some new front brakes under warranty (not fiats of course). New discs and pads were fitted due to brake effort fluctuations (thats warped discs to you and me) at the recent MOT. Two months later the new ones have gone the same way - At least I won't be paying for these, I'll be insisting on new pads as well.

i'd say the radiator has a bad design as when you change the coolent some of the old coolent may still be in the bottom of the radiator, as fro the brakes they proberbly wern't fitted correctly or have endured a lot of hard braking
 
i'd say the radiator has a bad design as when you change the coolent some of the old coolent may still be in the bottom of the radiator, as fro the brakes they proberbly wern't fitted correctly or have endured a lot of hard braking

I agree the radiator could be improved - a drain at the low point to allow a good flush through would be nice.

Brakes: These were fitted by my local independant garage who has given excellent service so far. I'd be very very surprised if he made a mistake on this job. Hard braking - Mrs_G does a lot of motorway cruising (about 320 miles of her 366 miles a day) and is very gentle on the brakes. I still suspect faulty components at the moment. I'll update once the parts have been changed.
 
Hello ive just been reading your problem with your Wifes Doblo. Ive just bought one and mine is overheating but only after a short time. Ive had the R.A.C out and a mechanic both have said it looks like the cylinder head gasket. So Trevor whos the mechanic has taken everything off but theres no damage to the gasket, but the head has gone to be "skimmed". But im not convinced this will fix the problem the coolant isnt circulating, the radiator doesnt get hot at all i was wondering if it could be blocked like yours i think ill change ot for a new one. The only main concern is theres is alot of pressure being created which indicates the head gasket . Eventually steam and hot water bubbles out of the expansion tank but no were else. The only thing im dreading is its not a fault with the engine block
 
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