SLROC Forum

As above, took the Defender out today for a test drive after fitting the new CV Joint etc after Mudmaster.

On the way back from MM the car was overheating and we could smell coolant in the cab, the temp needle was off the scale too.

I ran the engine for a while today and then took it for a drive, I also fitted a new thermostat but when I was out today the temp was fine (half way) but the smell is still there.

I'm thinking new heater matrix but is there anything else it could be??

Cheers

Stephen

check the rads not blocked with mud after offroading if it hasnt lost coolant

Aye, I did give the rad a good clean with the jetwash. I also forgot to mention that there is stuff dripping out underneath the heater box, tried givin it a sniff (hope the neighbours weren't watchin) couldn't smell any coolant though?

I had a similar problem got it pressure tested and the leak was coming from heater box .

Cool, I've got a guy doing a pressure test on it next week. Did you have fluid leaking from the box?

Dripping down bulkhead and traced to bottom of heaterbox replaced heat exchanger was 35 odd pounds from rst land rovers on eBay for TD5

Aye, exact same. I'm assuming when you say heat exchanger, the heater matrix is the same thing? Sorry I'm not sure of what is within the box?

Cheers

Heater matrix/Heat exchanger, basically a small dense radiator that heats up the air using the the hot water from the engine. If you've got a leak you'll be short of coolant in the engine by now. A good indicator of lost coolant is the heater failing to work...'cos there is no hot water left reaching it !

As a short term measure you could disconnect the pipes from the heater and join them with some copper pipe/jubilee clips. No heater but it'll keep the engine running.

Beware also the lovely air-locks that develop. I suggest you do a good solid drain of the whole sytem and refill when you do the final fix.

Yeah heater matrix, was in work at the time working on heat exchangers and had it in my head  , heater blowing cold was one of the symptoms with low coolant in expansion tank but only showed leak on pressure test but i never got the temp gauge in to red as i drive short trips to work 7miles so luck if the truck has heated up much.

Cheers Guys,

The pressure test next week will hopefully reveal all, might try Gene's tip with the copper pipe until I get It fixed.

Cheers

Stephen