CrispyCracker
Roamer
My new (to me) 2001 Gen 3 XLS is running well all things considered. I'm still amazed at the overall capability and quality given what I paid for it. However, I have had fits with overheating (and possibly faux overheating). Ever since we got the vehicle the needle would bounce up to the highest level on the gauge after just a short drive. The first couple of times it happened I immediately pulled over and spent time letting it "cool down." The next time it spiked I drove by a local shop and asked them to check the temp of the belts and block and everything was cool/normal. So, after some research I began to believe that it was the well-documented problem with a faulty circuit behind the dash that needs to be re-soldered. Problem is, once in a blue moon it would actually feel too hot under the hood, the hoses would be very hot to the touch and I could hear coolant bubbling/boiling. Hmmm. Was it possible that I had both a bad gauge AND a legit overheating issue? Regardless, I took these steps:
- installed new radiator hoses
- installed new thermostat and o-ring
- deep flushed radiator
- refilled radiator and overflow tank with fresh pre-mixed coolant
The very next day the truck registered hot after a short drive, the hoses felt hot and the coolant could be heard boiling again. Grrrrr. So now I begin to suspect air bubbles in the system. After some online research I found an article on an Australian forum where a Pajero owner suggested:
- jacking the front of the truck up high
- removing the radiator cap
- squeezing the top radiator hose to burp trapped air out of the system
- filling radiator and overflow tank again and reinstalling cap
The forum member noted that this was a common problem with Pajero/Montero's following coolant changes on flat ground. So I followed that procedure and...boom. Temp gauge falls well below the halfway mark and has remained there rock-steady for a week now. Figured I'd share this procedure with others here in case it comes in handy.
Unfortunately, I now have a concern that the operating temp is TOO low. When driving it the last few days it has hovered at the point between the bottom and middle of the gauge:
From what I've read a too-low temp means that the (new) thermostat I installed may be stuck open somehow so the engine is constantly cooling. Is it possible that I installed the thermostat wrong incorrectly or that the brand I used does not play well with the Montero?
Thanks in advance for any helpful input.
- installed new radiator hoses
- installed new thermostat and o-ring
- deep flushed radiator
- refilled radiator and overflow tank with fresh pre-mixed coolant
The very next day the truck registered hot after a short drive, the hoses felt hot and the coolant could be heard boiling again. Grrrrr. So now I begin to suspect air bubbles in the system. After some online research I found an article on an Australian forum where a Pajero owner suggested:
- jacking the front of the truck up high
- removing the radiator cap
- squeezing the top radiator hose to burp trapped air out of the system
- filling radiator and overflow tank again and reinstalling cap
The forum member noted that this was a common problem with Pajero/Montero's following coolant changes on flat ground. So I followed that procedure and...boom. Temp gauge falls well below the halfway mark and has remained there rock-steady for a week now. Figured I'd share this procedure with others here in case it comes in handy.
Unfortunately, I now have a concern that the operating temp is TOO low. When driving it the last few days it has hovered at the point between the bottom and middle of the gauge:
From what I've read a too-low temp means that the (new) thermostat I installed may be stuck open somehow so the engine is constantly cooling. Is it possible that I installed the thermostat wrong incorrectly or that the brand I used does not play well with the Montero?
Thanks in advance for any helpful input.
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