Car issues

[dannypatrol]

Hey guys,

I bought a Nissan Patrol GU 1998 TB45 dual fuel (297SRR) second hand to do a big lap in 2016. Unfortunately, I have been a bit unlucky with it and I might have bought a cat in a sack.

I found out that the brakes never should have passed the RWC (the ironic thing is that a got a mechanic to check it all out but this was the same mechanic as who gave the RWC). She also overheated on the beach a while ago. I had the thermostat, viscous fan and radiator replaced (see previous topics) and got it checked for broken heads. I thought it was fine, but I hardly use my car, maybe twice a month and I didn’t had any problems. But since a roof rack and rear bar has been installed, the last couple of months temperatures have been off and I am too worried the overheating get worse or it will just break down. I have an ECUtalk and I see the temperature increasing to 97, drops to 95 and then to 115ish. The thermostat should open at 87 so I am wondering if the thermostat is broken (was a brand new one though), so I got a new one but haven’t placed it yet. In addition, I figured it might be good to place an aftermarket sensor in the top radiator hose.

Now the car needs to go for a big service:
• Transfer oil change
• front/rear brake pads and rotors replacement
• rhf brake caliper replacement
• brake fluid flush
• front wheel bearing replacement
• gear box and engine mounts replacement
which will all together be 4-5k according to quotes from mechanics

The worry I have is that the temperature problems wont be solved and that I invest 5k but then still have a car I will not be able to use for a big lap. This and last year were a bit of rough years mentally and these car problems make me more worried than normally (I am normally pretty relaxed). It really kills my motivation of planning the big lap at all just because of the risk I wont even get to that point (I still havent installed my dual battery system etc). Hopefully the new year will be better and I will have new energy to get motivated again to work on my car and learn how to fix things.

Just wondered what the best way is to figure out if I should continue with this car or not.
I think:
(1) replace thermostat and install after market temp sensor in top hose. This will then add extra info in addition to the ecutalk and will tell me if temp sensor is wrong
If cooling problems solved, then get all repairs done
if not....?

[threedogs]

Most here would agree that you only use an OE thermostat from Mr Nissan.
I just poured this into my radiator to fix a head problem, not ideal but gives me time
to sort out what I want to do with my motor.

Remove driving lights if fitted for better air flow

[Bob]

I have two large electric Fans on the front of the Radiator which start when ignition is turned on when it is Hot.
They turn off when the Temp drops.

Quite often when I am driving slow the Fans will come on and you can hear them from the Cabin.

Do you have these Fans and do they turn on when ignition is turned on ???>

[threedogs]

You say gear box mounts so take it ,its a Manual

[dannypatrol]

Most here would agree that you only use an OE thermostat from Mr Nissan.
I just poured this into my radiator to fix a head problem, not ideal but gives me time
to sort out what I want to do with my motor.

Remove driving lights if fitted for better air flow

The thermostat was original from Nissan, I get the impression it opens at 97 though considering thats when ecutalk shows a drop for a short time. Thats why I got a new thermostat but how likely is it that the one in there was faulty considering it was new. That why I am a bit skeptical but yeah I will change that.

I have two massive lightforce spots, I can try to move those to the roof. I like them for the big trip for remote areas but I guess the roof rack would work as well for that. I will try the head gasket fix as well, thanks!

[dannypatrol]

I have two large electric Fans on the front of the Radiator which start when ignition is turned on when it is Hot.
They turn off when the Temp drops.

Quite often when I am driving slow the Fans will come on and you can hear them from the Cabin.

Do you have these Fans and do they turn on when ignition is turned on ???>

Yep, have them and they turn on when I start the engine (I just checked it)

[dannypatrol]

You say gear box mounts so take it ,its a Manual

I have an automatic. The car got checked out by a mechanic and he said the engine and gear box mounts need to be replaced

[threedogs]

I would change the thermostat first and see what that does
I think my thermostat is 83-84.
Highest temps now,,, is 93 but it does recovery idling to 83 again
But I now mine needs a flush with the thermostat out

is the new radiator a good one or a ebay cheapie??

[dannypatrol]

It is an ADRAD copper bras one fitted by Red Devil Radiators

[threedogs]

It is an ADRAD copper bras one fitted by Red Devil Radiators

ok rule that out next,, a quality radiator fitted,
is the viscous hub on yours part of the water pump??

slow sand work with no air flow Im sure Id get hot too