Now for the question to finish off the decade with...
I have a 2014 Holden Colorado twin cab ute. 2,8lt Diesel turbo charged. Stock standard. I love my Collie.
When I am driving around summer or winter WITHOUT the aluminium teepee hooked up the temp gauge sits just a fraction over quarter. When I have the aluminium teepee HOOKED UP it sits just under half way, max.
NOW!
I had a major service done a couple of months ago by a Holden Dealer including change timing belt and water pump. Due to the discovery of 8, yes 8, wasp nests of 2" diam I had to have a new radiator as well. Heaps of $$$$ later all was good.
UNTIL!
I moved camp and while towing up hills especially I noticed the temp was sitting just over half way and sneaking very close to the red, Slow down Doug, was voice in my head so I did but again it would sneak up and continued each time the revs got to around 2,500.
I have noticed without the aluminium teepee it is between quarter and halfway all the time and seems to stay around there. A fraction higher when in 4th gear up hills.
I will speak with Holden ASAP as I reckon there should be a work guarantee and hope I can get it looked at elsewhere and charged back to the dealer that did the job as I won't be back in that area until mid March at this stage. It's a long drive otherwise.
I am asking for any idea of what it might be before I ring them.
I was told by a fellow camper the other day I should fit some sort of 'Fan Kit' but not being a mechanic or close to even being one I am not sure what that all means. Yeah I know, silly me. But hey, there ya go.
DOUG
dogbox said
11:06 AM Dec 31, 2019
why would wasp nests require a new radiator? I would have thought a high pressure washer would have removed them!
do they cause damage to the core ?
Rob Driver said
11:18 AM Dec 31, 2019
Hi Doug,
There are a few things that could be causing that.
Was the thermostat replaced with the radiator and the water pump and if so was it the same temperature specification?
Just check that the fan if of the viscous type has oil in it? A new water pump was fitted and the fan hub assembly may have lost some oil. I am not familiar with your engine but this could be easily checked.
Was the new coolant the same specification as the old?
Was the replacement radiator same capacity and core design as the old?
Is the engine performing and pulling the same as it did before? They may have disturbed the timing.
Does this vehicle have a temp controlled electric cooling fan at the radiator and if so is it hooked up correctly and working.
Are any of the brakes dragging or getting hot as you drive?
There may be other causes but this will give you somewhere to start.
By trade I am a auto mechanic as my Dad would not take me on in the trucking business until I did my trade. This was back in the 60s. He always used to say, The best truck drivers were motor mechanics.
Good luck with it Doug.
Regards
Rob
wasn_me said
11:19 AM Dec 31, 2019
I had the same problem years back with a rodeo. The radiator was replaced due to an accident. When towing the temp headed for the red.
Turned out the repairer fitted incorrect ( non genuine) radiator.
If I didn't tow the problem may have never came up.
Correct radiator & no problems.
Cheers Pete
wasn_me said
11:22 AM Dec 31, 2019
The dodgy radiator fitted was one less row of tubes than it should have been
rgren2 said
12:10 PM Dec 31, 2019
This: Was the replacement radiator same capacity and core design as the old?
And this: Turned out the repairer fitted incorrect ( non genuine) radiator.
Not all radiators are equal, also the material they are made from, header tanks can be different and have different capacity. Also did they replace the hoses and flush the block? Is all the air bled from the system?
blaze said
12:16 PM Dec 31, 2019
the first thing you need to know is the real temp, the gauge at best is only an indicator. then go from there
cheers
blaze
ps
all light vehicle temp gauges are at best an indicator
boab said
01:50 PM Dec 31, 2019
i would think the radiator is the most likely suspect timing shouldnt have moved as both cam shafts and the fly wheel are locked when changing the timing belt if the thermostat or water pump have packed up it seems it would be a pretty big coincident both are very expensive and water pump change out is a big job labor wise hope you get it sorted but radiator or viscus fan is where i would start
Warren-Pat_01 said
03:13 PM Dec 31, 2019
Hi Doug,
Generally dealers, mechanics have a 3 month warranty on their work so I'd suggest you don't waste any time taking action.
Rob has certainly given you a comprehensive list. I'd just add one more - is the replacement water pump the correct unit?
You can ask the people that service/repair your car to retain the parts they have replaced for your perusal. I've done that on the odd times I couldn't do the work myself & always the mechanic complied with my request before I parted with my $$.
I too fail to see why 8 wasp nests should ruin a radiator - was it easier to replace it rather than washing it out?
Let's know the outcome - hope it's better than the current situation.
Possum3 said
04:30 PM Dec 31, 2019
Doug, I think Bob has just about covered it, my only addition would be ensure air conditioner is off when Collie under extreme load.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:59 PM Dec 31, 2019
Nothing beats a GOOD radiator . If anything over spec the replacement ! Are you towing in top If auto ? I suspect the boost control is the same ? Hose still connected to wastegate etc ?? Exhaust still std ? Free flowing !!
Dougwe said
07:55 AM Jan 1, 2020
Thanks everyone for the great response. Plenty of info to be armed with when chatting to Holden.
Yes, the wasp nests, well two anyway, did damage to the engine side of radiator.
kesa32 said
08:55 AM Jan 1, 2020
Good luck Doug , hopefully they rectify the problem for you mate
Stretch60 said
06:50 PM Jan 4, 2020
Sounds more like an upsell to make more money, wasps nest may have upset some fins but fail to see how the actual tubes were damaged. Cheap aftermarket radiator sold at price of genuine no doubt.
Aus-Kiwi said
02:29 PM Jan 12, 2020
Spray nest with WD40 . It puts bees, insects to sleep . Then just hose off with finger over garden hose . Been a while now ? Is the fan of electrical turning on ? If its mechanical ? Check if its working . They all spin but should lock up 100% when temps rise . If its auto ? Fitting a auto trans cooler helps engine temps also . Could just be it hasnt
Been purged of air in system?
Morning all and happy new year to you all.
Now for the question to finish off the decade with...
I have a 2014 Holden Colorado twin cab ute. 2,8lt Diesel turbo charged. Stock standard. I love my Collie.
When I am driving around summer or winter WITHOUT the aluminium teepee hooked up the temp gauge sits just a fraction over quarter. When I have the aluminium teepee HOOKED UP it sits just under half way, max.
NOW!
I had a major service done a couple of months ago by a Holden Dealer including change timing belt and water pump. Due to the discovery of 8, yes 8, wasp nests of 2" diam I had to have a new radiator as well. Heaps of $$$$ later all was good.
UNTIL!
I moved camp and while towing up hills especially I noticed the temp was sitting just over half way and sneaking very close to the red, Slow down Doug, was voice in my head so I did but again it would sneak up and continued each time the revs got to around 2,500.
I have noticed without the aluminium teepee it is between quarter and halfway all the time and seems to stay around there. A fraction higher when in 4th gear up hills.
I will speak with Holden ASAP as I reckon there should be a work guarantee and hope I can get it looked at elsewhere and charged back to the dealer that did the job as I won't be back in that area until mid March at this stage. It's a long drive otherwise.
I am asking for any idea of what it might be before I ring them.
I was told by a fellow camper the other day I should fit some sort of 'Fan Kit' but not being a mechanic or close to even being one I am not sure what that all means. Yeah I know, silly me. But hey, there ya go.
DOUG
do they cause damage to the core ?
Hi Doug,
There are a few things that could be causing that.
Was the thermostat replaced with the radiator and the water pump and if so was it the same temperature specification?
Just check that the fan if of the viscous type has oil in it?
A new water pump was fitted and the fan hub assembly may have lost some oil.
I am not familiar with your engine but this could be easily checked.
Was the new coolant the same specification as the old?
Was the replacement radiator same capacity and core design as the old?
Is the engine performing and pulling the same as it did before?
They may have disturbed the timing.
Does this vehicle have a temp controlled electric cooling fan at the radiator and if so is it hooked up correctly and working.
Are any of the brakes dragging or getting hot as you drive?
There may be other causes but this will give you somewhere to start.
By trade I am a auto mechanic as my Dad would not take me on in the trucking business until I did my trade. This was back in the 60s.
He always used to say, The best truck drivers were motor mechanics.
Good luck with it Doug.
Regards
Rob
And this: Turned out the repairer fitted incorrect ( non genuine) radiator.
Not all radiators are equal, also the material they are made from, header tanks can be different and have different capacity. Also did they replace the hoses and flush the block? Is all the air bled from the system?
cheers
blaze
ps
all light vehicle temp gauges are at best an indicator
Generally dealers, mechanics have a 3 month warranty on their work so I'd suggest you don't waste any time taking action.
Rob has certainly given you a comprehensive list. I'd just add one more - is the replacement water pump the correct unit?
You can ask the people that service/repair your car to retain the parts they have replaced for your perusal. I've done that on the odd times I couldn't do the work myself & always the mechanic complied with my request before I parted with my $$.
I too fail to see why 8 wasp nests should ruin a radiator - was it easier to replace it rather than washing it out?
Let's know the outcome - hope it's better than the current situation.
Yes, the wasp nests, well two anyway, did damage to the engine side of radiator.
Been purged of air in system?