1998 2.8L GU ... The dreaded overheating

[Bush Ranger]

A radiator shroud helps to suck the air through the radiator to aid the cooling effect to happen better apparently. Water pump should be checked to see if it`s all right, but my first thought was head gasket / head.

[fracster]

My 2.8 did the same thing mate, it would spew coolant out at 3000 revs and above. The car already had a new water pump, thermostat and all seemed ok. The cylinder head was cracked and started pressurising the system on longer drivers or at high revs. Sorry to be so downbeat, but I would be looking at cylinder head and/or head gasket.

My ecu was also playing silly buggers, so I got a low mileage 2.8 out of a Y60. No ecu,no MAF, no fly by wire throttle and no electronic fuel pump. It also worked out cheaper swapping the engine than get a head kit and new ecu.

[90mav]

Yep I'd say you are up for at least a new head and all the associated work fitting it. Figure on close to $2k worth of parts and whatever for labour unless you handy with spanners. I just did mine fortunately labour free (well not free but I had a few slack days of work so did it myself) and it has worked out ok. Generally the heads crack and are not worth repairing according to the guy who I spoke to.
Alternately there has been a few guys around who have just swapped out the RD28 for a Skyline RB25DET motor for around the same money. I reckon that's what I will do if it happens again...

[gunzmcghie]

My 2.8 is doing the same thing after a couple of hours of driving so I will be tearing apart the cooling system and looking at the head to see what is going on but it is due for timing belt and everything else so I will be giving everything a good lookover. I'm hoping it isn't too serious.

[jcooky90210]

Hi again,

Since reading this last, I have replaced the radiator, got myself a shroud, and replaced the clutch fan. My mechanic did a CO2 test and told me that the head gasket was fine.

It seems to have settled down for now (fingers crossed)

Whilst I'm chatting to knowledgeable guys, what's the deal with the radiator caps? Which one is supposed to have the pressure valve (either the radiator or the header tank, or is it both?)

Cooky

[90mav]

Just the header tank, not radiator.
Probably would be a good idea to get an engine watchdog for yours. It's cheap insurance. Have a look on ebay

[P4trol]

Things that have helped me in the past some have already been mentioned:

New radiator top/bottom hoses
New water pump
New thermostat
New radiator cap
New water pump
New plastic tanks (they come together
New radiator (3 core instead of the standard 1 core)
New coolant