My Kombi is overheating!!!!

[V6Kombidore]

Hi,
I have a 1976 VW Kombi Camper fitted with a VN (I think) Commodore V6 engine. The radiator sits on the front and has done an excellent job of cooling the engine...up until now.
Over the past month the temp gauge has gradually risen each time I drive the van. Not boiling, but very hot. I suspected the thermostat and have now fitted a new one (old one was not closing completely). No change....still running hot.
The situation is compounded slightly by the fact that the radiator is about 4 metres from the engine and connected via 2" copper pipes. I think the pump is working okay, as, with the cap removed and the engine revved, the water level drops. When running, the top hose is very hot while the bottom hose is only mildly warm. After the engine is turned off the bottom hose heats up. The engine also smells hot. Any suggestions or ideas?????
Cheers

[DavoVP]

Your names Jeff yeah ?

If so that thing is ace !

Your water pump may be on its way out, Radiator is cloged or its running very lean.

Id just give it a good flush and replace the water pump and see if that helps, you could also consider adding an additional electric water pump to help things along a bit but the stock unit should do fine.. If it doesn't then its a whole new ball game.

[Munz]

Sounds like your radiator is blocked, try a reverse flush

if that don't work a replacement might be needed

[V6Kombidore]

Thanks guys,
There is a tap in the copper pipe underneath the van. This should allow me to drain the whole system and then I can attach a hose to that point and flush back through the system.
Will give it a go...then might install a new pump.
Cheers, Rob

[Munz]

Remove the radiator to flush as you will flush all the shite back through the motor

[pjdm1980]

This one-
OSP Engine Conversions

[V6Kombidore]

No pjdm1980 not that one....mine has a radiator on the front. I bought this one from my son, who bought it from the bloke who built it. Not sure how to post photos, but will have a go!

I have flushed the system, which was perfectly clean anyway...no sludge, rust or dirt....just green cordial.

I have now pulled out the water pump, and unfortunately it also 'looks' to be in good condition. I have ordered a new one and will fit it as soon as it arrives, but was really hoping to see an obvious problem with the pump.
Does anybody know if there is a simple way to check the sensor? What coolant should I use when I refill the beast? Anything else I should be checking?

Cheers

[monkeys437]

What a beast I'd love a camper like that. I went travelling in an Mazda e2000 on gas a while back. It had a solid 300k on the clock, and probably putting out 40 of the original 60kW. By the time you tied stuff to the roof, and put a few hundred kgs of gear in it the thing it struggled to pull 100km/h with my foot flat. A commodore V6 in that heap would have worked out nicely

[B-roca]

Maybe its trying to tell you that it wants an LS1

Jk, Good luck on resolving it mate, such a nice camper!

[pjdm1980]

All i can picture is this thing pulling up next to me and a load of smoke coming off of one wheel and the sweet harmony of MANG MANG MANG!!!!!!!

[bogan_vk]

are your thermo fans working?

[calais24/7]

All i can picture is this thing pulling up next to me and a load of smoke coming off of one wheel and the sweet harmony of MANG MANG MANG!!!!!!!

hahahahah fkn lol.

[V6Kombidore]

Yep, thermo fans are working perfectly. Heater also works perfectly.... but temp gauge sits just under the red and it only started doing this in the last month.
Am still wondering about the temperature sensor!

[V6Kombidore]

Well, I have spent hours trying to solve this problem! Have changed the thermostat, water pump, coolant, and cap after flushing the whole system. As of yesterday, the 'Big Girl' also has a new temp gauge and sender. Unfortunately, the gauge is still sitting just below red. The radiator blokes tested the block temp (140 deg F) with a laser thermometer, but the gauge is showing much higher (220 deg F). They also tested for leaking head gasket - no problems detected. Basically, they said they had no idea what the problem was or how to fix it.

It was interesting that when I was revving the engine at 2800 rpm to get it hot, every 30 seconds or so the revs would drop for a couple of seconds (down to 2500 rpm) and then pick up again.

Any ideas??????

[Cheap6]

What temp. does the engine actually achieve?

If you can be sure that the coolant temp. sensor for the ECM is OK, the resistances vs temp. are listed in the "How To" on switching a VN cooling fan manually by immortality so you can check.

[ToMMMaY]

Are you losing any fluid?
That will solve alot of problems if or ifnot

[bogan_vk]

have you ran your hands along the radiator cores to feel for hot and cold spots indicating a half blocked radiator?