Running hot up Toowoomba range

[an observer]

Hi all,

Travelled Brisbane-toowoomba yesterday for a Chrissy get together in our one-owner tl Awd. Was a steamy day but not exceptional early on.

Noticed as we drove up the range that the temp gauge moved up from its usual just under halfway point, to about three quarters up. Watched it carefully but it stayed there.

Once we got to the top of the range, and cruised through town the gauge went back to normal. A check of fluid levels before driving back showed all was well, as did a check this morning.

Had a look at the radiator itself, carefully picked off a couple of large moths and bugs but nothing else of interest. No obvious signs of damage or obstruction. The water pump was done 18 months ago, but the radiator is original. Is it time to consider replacing the radiator?

Thanks to all, and Merry Christmas.

[doddski]

are the thermo fans kicking in?
Thermostat could be on its way out - slow to open the coolant temp gets hot.
maybe?
Not 100% sure - but I would start with the thermostat

Ive never had issues running up the Toowoomba range when I had my AWD, temp gauge never moved for me.

[mcs_xi]

If you do it again, and put the aircon on and it goes back to normal, it usually means a thermo fan is dead.

I had one go in my old TL.

[an observer]

Thanks for that suggestion, I wondered that too. Had one of the thermo fans replaced only recently - unless it's the other one now?! The following day I was running around so checked underneath while it was running, and both fans looked to be kicking in as per normal.

Thermostat I hadn't considered.

I'm thinking that maybe the rad is aged and right on the edge of this capacity. So a longish run, a hot day and a bit of a climb would be too much? I don't know.

If it is Mitsfix have them in stock plus the hoses. Will take it in to regular mechanic when they reopen to see what he thinks.

[an observer]

Update: after talking to mechanic, the car has had a new radiator, hoses and thermostat fitted. The radiator had nothing obviously wrong or broken and was just worn. The thernostat looked ok when it came out, but was replaced as a precaution. Both were the factory originals. Thermo fans are both clicking in as needed. On the drive home the temp gauge already sat slightly lower than it used to and was unfussed by traffic. I'm hoping this is the end of the issue.

[VRAWD03]

I live in Toowoomba and my Magna always goes up a couple of notches in temp on the range especially on hot days. The range is steeper than you think why do you think so many trucks break down and cars too. The temp recovers quickly
It’s good you watch the temp a lot of drivers don’t.
Ps
My other car also does

[an observer]

Have since done a similar climb on the road up to Mt Glorious. The car got warm but cooled quickly and ran normally, so thinking problem is solved.

Thanks to all for the input. Clicked over 194,000 the other day and still such a pleasant, unfussed car to drive.

[an observer]

Another cooling system update.

On Friday past, the wife phoned to say the thermo fan was still running after the engine had stopped and the keys were removed. That sounded odd. So I told her to turn the key to ignition, without starting the engine, and check the temperature gauge. There were no fluid leaks on the garage floor, That was fine, so thinking it wa an electrical fault we got on the blower to a nearby auto electrician, who said to drop it around then and there.

He diagnosed the problem as a damaged relay, which was replaced. It controlled one of the thermo fans, coincidentally the one that died last July and had to be replaced.

I'd not heard this could happen. At least a new relay was a cheap fix.