Pilgrim Sumo Overheating Question

[pflynn]

Hi,

I've only really driven my Sumo about 4 times. As it stands, the battery is now flat - so will need to get that on trickle charge. In the last 2 attempts, I only managed to get it a few miles before the temperature gauge went through the roof and the car overheated. It generally sits around 90deg and is fine. When it overheated, it shot to 110deg.

This resulted in all of the coolant in the radiator from gushing out from the overflow.

My Pilgrim Sumo has an old D-reg 2.3/4 V6 engine. I didn't build it, but have had old cars in the past and the wiring loom/car mechanics don't worry me. Originally, on the first overheat, my thermostat on the radiator (purple wire) caused the fuse to blow. I replaced the fuse and it was fine. I checked it last time, and there was charge going through that cable.

Anybody else had an overheating problem? And what do you suggest? I was thinking a lower temp thermostat.

I'm trying to get it road-worthy for the MOT.

Regards,
Peter

[glencoe]

Could be an airflow issue.

I recently changed my front grill from pilgrim supplied mesh to a fabricated grill with about 8-10 horizontal bars (still need to get it chromed!). the fans seem to be on a lot less!

Pete.

[Purple AK]

Peter.

Is your fan cutting in when it gets hot? If yes, Are you sure you havn't got air in the system still? If no, You have a fan/thermo switch problem.

Pete.

Apparently, The diamond extruded mesh is not good for airflow and actually blocks 60% of it! By way of it's design

[pflynn]

I do have the Pilgrim Mesh on the front. I must admit, I did notice it was quite thick. I might remove it totally, and see if it makes the difference.

Hopefully getting back to warmer days, so might be able to get it out of the garage!

When the engine is hot, the fan is on (and stays on - even after the car has switched off). Although I noticed it cutting off a few times (when I thought it should stay on).

Is 90deg about the right temp for a Sumo?

[Kevin W]

Have similar problems myself - 90 degrees seems a bit hot to me (I've got a RV.
Decided to bury my head in the sand and get on with fitting out the cockpit. I suspect we both have air in the pipework somewhere.

Can you get the same effect by just swicthing the car on and leaving it at idel for about 10 minutes? Does revving the engine make more water boil out of the system?- thats my symptoms.

Look forward to any comments.

Kevin

[Bernie]

When I had the "overheats at idle for ten minutes" problem, it was definitely air in the system. Eventually, having chucked all my antifreeze on the drive, the problem went away.

[Kevin W]

Hi Bernie, that sounds like my problem. So do I just keep topping up the header tank and wait for it to spew out on the drive? Should I run the car with the tank cap on or off? Any tips appreciated.

btw, I have a small bleed hole in the top pipe, which I';ve usualy tried to top up to max and sealed in between runs.

cheers,

Kev

[yakman]

Pilgrim knows overheating problems ....and they have bigger better radiators available...i had such problems and changed to the new one....looks really ok....and i will upgrade with oil cooler as well....ask pilgrim....

[gwak76]

Originally Posted by yakman

Pilgrim knows overheating problems ....and they have bigger better radiators available...i had such problems and changed to the new one....looks really ok....and i will upgrade with oil cooler as well....ask pilgrim....

Cant say I have had any overheating problems with the Sierra Diesel rad but extra capacity is always a good idea, is the new one based on the old sierra model or a new design altogether ?

[pflynn]

Well, I managed to get it in for it's MOT - to try and get it on the road. The coolant had gone everywhere, and I replaced it all. There was a fair amount of smoke on the way to the test centre, and I was told that the coolant hadn't been reaching the gasket, which had blown.

Just one side, the cylinders are OK as is the rest of the engine.

The engineer is removing the thermostat, and is going to just make sure it's always on, to provide plenty of air flow into the engine.

Thanks for the replies! I tried all of the suggestions.

Hopefully, with a new head gasket, and a full MOT and service, I can get it back on the road for this year. (Not that the weather is nice today)