1998 2.8L GU ... The dreaded overheating

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum (thanks to the folks welcoming me already!). I'm after some advice on my Patrol (please and/or thank you)......

I have a '98 2.8L TD GU, which I got 2 and a bit months ago. Ever since I've had it, I've had issues with the cooling system. If I drive on the highway at 100km/h for around an hour, the temp gauge on my car goes up and heads for the H (it normally sits on half) and overheats (It goes quicker at 110km/h). After it overheats I've found the radiator system to be completely empty of coolant (it looked like it bubbled out of the overflow tank from the pink stains around it)

Over the Easter weekend, the radiator was taken out, emptied, all inlets and outlets were hosed out, the fins cleaned, all hoses were hosed both ways, the block was hosed out, and the thermostat was replaced. The Header tank and overflow bottle were also cleaned out. The coolant was replaced and it was bled (as much as this strange system is able to be bled). I took it for a half-hour highway drive today to test it out, and found the same thing to be occurring. It also smelled like the coolant was burning (it's new coolant), and it's still loosing coolant. As before, it appears to be bubbling out of the overflow bottle (all hoses and connections appear to be fine). The only difference this time is that the temp gauge didn't move past half (but it was definitely hot)? Both the top and bottom hoses were hot (so I know that the thermostat works).

I'm quite stumped ... Has anyone else ever had this or a similar issue? Ideas on solutions?

Cheers :)

Only other thing I can think of is ....water pump is shot or maybe thermo fans not working properly..

Sounds like a head gasket to me.....

Coolant got air or bubbles in it?

Typical RD28, either cracked head or blown head gasket

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I've had my mechanic go over my car and it appears that all of the obvious things it could be are in working order (there don't appear to be any air gaps either).

However, my Patrol doesn't have a radiator shroud. It never had one when I got it (This may be part or all of the problem). Off on the hunt for a shroud! (If anyone knows where I can get one please let me know)

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Originally Posted by Rickie3

Typical RD28, either cracked head or blown head gasket

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Are the 2.8's prone to the above?

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Originally Posted by tallman

Are the 2.8's prone to the above?

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Most definately, mine did both, and a few friends same issue

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jcooky90210

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum (thanks to the folks welcoming me already!). I'm after some advice on my Patrol (please and/or thank you)...... I have a '98 2.8L TD GU, which I got 2 and a bit months ago. Ever since I've had it, I've had issues with the cooling system. If I drive on the highway at 100km/h for around an hour, the temp gauge on my car goes up and heads for the H (it normally sits on half) and overheats (It goes quicker at 110km/h). After it overheats I've found the radiator system to be completely empty of coolant (it looked like it bubbled out of the overflow tank from the pink stains around it) Over the Easter weekend, the radiator was taken out, emptied, all inlets and outlets were hosed out, the fins cleaned, all hoses were hosed both ways, the block was hosed out, and the thermostat was replaced. The Header tank and overflow bottle were also cleaned out. The coolant was replaced and it was bled (as much as this strange system is able to be bled). I took it for a half-hour highway drive today to test it out, and found the same thing to be occurring. It also smelled like the coolant was burning (it's new coolant), and it's still loosing coolant. As before, it appears to be bubbling out of the overflow bottle (all hoses and connections appear to be fine). The only difference this time is that the temp gauge didn't move past half (but it was definitely hot)? Both the top and bottom hoses were hot (so I know that the thermostat works). I'm quite stumped ... Has anyone else ever had this or a similar issue? Ideas on solutions? Cheers :)

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I have the 99 2.8gu and have also had the the same prob mate I had to rebuild the motor a month after buying it. Towards the end of last year I started having the same issues, it would go a hole week then over heat and loose all the coolant, had it to the mechanics and nothing came up. Sometimes it would go a fortnight then just over heat. Since I have replaced the water pump I have not had any issues so that could be your issue.

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Im not sure if this is different but, about 6 months ago, we drove from melbourne to perth in our 98 4.5lt petrol/gas and got to the adelaide hills and the temp started rising! Just babied it through past adelaide near gawler, had a local mechanic replace the clutch fan, worked for abit longer then had the same issues. Went all the way to port agusta to the ARB mechanic and just to play it safe, got all new radiator, water pump, thermostat ect. Pretty much a brand new cooling system and have never had the problem since. But about a year before hand, especially on hit days, the air con would blow hit air randomly. But yea, could be one of those mentioned above, good luck!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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

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