FIAT DUCATO 2.8 non turbo overheating, or is it?

[yorkslass]

Travelling down to Whitby, the water indicator came on. We stopped, checked the level, which was fine, started the engine, the light went out and carried on as normal. Left Whitby today, travelled less than five miles, admittedly up a stonking great hill, blue bank for anyone who knows it, and the temperature gauge went into the red. Stopped for about an hour but the gauge didn't come down, so decided to run a bit further, hoping airflow might help. It hasn't.have been stopped for about three hours but the indicator hasn't dropped much. The engine didn't feel hot, neither did the coolant. Any suggestions? Pleeeze. Fans didn't come on and fuses are OK. Current temp about 115 degrees.

 

[sasquatch]

Is the charging circuit operating,? It could be a faulty thermostat and/or sender,or a loose fanbelt. At worst it could be a slack cambelt pulley.

 

[maingate]

It's a common problem. Before you buy a new sender unit try the following:

Check the connections at the sender unit and clean if necessary. You may have 2 that look similar, you need the LH one, just inboard of the thermostat.

Another method is to remove the cover over the dashboard instruments. Find the wiring that goes to the temp. gauge and unplug the connector. Leave it for a while and reconnect. If you have a bit of spare wire, you could earth out the gauge side wiring as some people blame a build up of static for the fault.

If these don't work, buy a new sender unit.

 

[yorkslass]

Is the charging circuit operating,? It could be a faulty thermostat and/or sender,or a loose fanbelt. At worst it could be a slack cambelt pulley.

Thankfully it shouldn't be the cambelt pulley, cos the cambelt was changed about three years ago by old Arthur, so I know it was done properly.thanks for the other suggestions

 

[yorkslass]

It's a common problem. Before you buy a new sender unit try the following:

Check the connections at the sender unit and clean if necessary. You may have 2 that look similar, you need the LH one, just inboard of the thermostat.

Another method is to remove the cover over the dashboard instruments. Find the wiring that goes to the temp. gauge and unplug the connector. Leave it for a while and reconnect. If you have a bit of spare wire, you could earth out the gauge side wiring as some people blame a build up of static for the fault.

If these don't work, buy a new sender unit.

Thanks for that. We are parked up just out of Whitby, so staying put for the night. We do have recovery, but there is no one available till tomorrow and they are talking about recovery, but I would rather get home under my own steam if possible. I will mention all these possibilities when he shows in the morning. At the moment the temp gauge still isn't shifting. May this mean that the engine isn't overheating, just that the sensors are playing up?

 

[shortcircuit]

My MH had exactly the same symptoms which were rectified as described by Maingate.

As this is a common fault I am absolutely amazed that they are even suggesting recovery. An engine that is genuinely off the scale due to overheating is obvious as it would be red hot and fuming considerably. Is there not a Fiat dealer within reach or even a commercial garage that you can go to for a proper diagnosis?

 

[yorkslass]

My MH had exactly the same symptoms which were rectified as described by Maingate.

As this is a common fault I am absolutely amazed that they are even suggesting recovery. An engine that is genuinely off the scale due to overheating is obvious as it would be red hot and fuming considerably. Is there not a Fiat dealer within reach or even a commercial garage that you can go to for a proper diagnosis?

We will have a look ourselves in the morning, they couldn't get anyone out to us, rang them about3-15 this aft, so asked me to ring back in the morning. Nearest places to us are Middleborough or York, both a fair way off, we are on the n York moors at the moment

 

[trevskoda]

pull the wire of sender if gauge stays up its at fault,so drive engine for a few miles at a time and get out and feel top hose and if hot but not scalding and no water loss drive on.ps dont open the header tank when warm DANGER of scalding.

 

[yorkslass]

It's deffo a problem with a sensor. Got up this morning and the temp indicator is still nearly in the red.The oh is going to look at it as per previous suggestions. Thanks all.

 

[antiqueman]

Mine did same put a new sender in simple job if that's the problem.

 

[yorkslass]

Finally home. Maingate was spot on. When the mechanic arrived we suggested what it might be. He cleaned the sensors and it has been fine.does anyone know if there is a manual for the ducato? We could have cleaned them but didn't know where the were.