 | Home > Technical > Warm weather driving |
 
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| SteveG Member Since: 29 Nov 2011 Location: Norfolk Posts: 660  
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When did you last have the air con re-gassed? Should be done every 2-3 years.
Same for coolant, when was this last changed, this should be done every 4 years. Otherwise you should be fine. |
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17th Jul 2023 11:34am |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410 
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As above, but full service before you go, plus if you have not already got it - window glass tinting. Really keeps the internal temps down.
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17th Jul 2023 11:40am |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3421  
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Good to ensure that the viscous coupling for the engine fan is working as it should.
A windshield sun reflector while parked up can make some difference to the cabin temperature for when you get in. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing 2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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17th Jul 2023 11:43am |
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| Furball Member Since: 31 Jan 2016 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38 
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Hi Steve
'When did you last have the air con re-gassed? Should be done every 2-3 years' - no record, so now will book it in! 'Same for coolant, when was this last changed, this should be done every 4 years' - done in the last service in Feb. Thanks for replying so quickly - really helpful |
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17th Jul 2023 11:53am |
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| Furball Member Since: 31 Jan 2016 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 38
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Thanks all for your comments, really appreciated.
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17th Jul 2023 12:04pm |
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| swt Member Since: 24 Aug 2018 Location: Cumbria Posts: 163 
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I have found the Nakatanenga viscous fan Spacer (purchased from 4x4Overlander) has made a real difference to excessive heat under load (2.4 TDCi, but I believe the 2.2 also benefits).
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17th Jul 2023 12:36pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4216 
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Just a hot weather driving technique tip. The Puma’s have loads of torque and there is always the temptation to keep revs really low, under 2000rpm. If the temps are very high, say 40c+ I would let it rev out a bit, maybe use a gear lower than usual on climbs.
The reason: I was in Spain during a serious heatwave (it was 45c one day!) in 2019 and on the very hot days I was suffering it going in to limp mode on long mountain climbs. By using a lower gear and keeping the revs up around 2500+ I could avoid it, whether that was because the fan or water pump was spinning faster or some other reason, I don’t know, but it worked. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS |
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17th Jul 2023 12:50pm |
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| swt Member Since: 24 Aug 2018 Location: Cumbria Posts: 163
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+1 for that advice. Coasting down French motorways in 6th gear during July and August, we would regularly experience a loss of power. It took a while to realise that changing down into 5th was actually better.
It's good advice going uphill while towing too. Even if the engine seems to be managing, it's often getting hotter than it needs to. |
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17th Jul 2023 3:33pm |
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| hank Member Since: 12 Sep 2016 Location: South Wales Posts: 2301  
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See my thread here https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic80452.html
Which ended like this 
 Click image to enlarge[img][/img] > 110 XS Double Cab |
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17th Jul 2023 4:04pm |
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| andy2111 Member Since: 17 Oct 2021 Location: Kent Posts: 365 
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+1 for window tinting. Just got back from the Pyrenees having had the windows tinted last year having roasted on a similar trip the year before and it makes a massive difference.
Also my floor, seat box and gearbox tunnel were turning into red hot radiators after a couple of hours driving so I put some thermal insulation on the panels and installed the Wright Off-road matting. This makes a massive difference and means your aircon isn't fighting a battle with a big radiator. Also reduces noise levels considerably as a bonus TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread 2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop |
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17th Jul 2023 7:15pm |
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| Jabberwocky Member Since: 27 Oct 2021 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 223 
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Does the Puma have a viscous fan like the TD5? If so check it, I had overheating issues on the way back from my recent trip to Albania, turns out it was the viscous fan, it’s was turning fine on idle but as soon as the engine was put under strain it was stopping. Take the guard off, start the engine and with a balled up rag gently apply pressure to the top of the fan, slowly increase the pressure, if the fan fights back and keeps turning you are ok. If you can stop the fan with a rag, change it, immediately.
Fortunately I took as spare fan with me as a precaution so could just change it once it was obvious I had an issue, apparently you can bodge them with cable ties. |
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17th Jul 2023 8:29pm |
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| Ianh Member Since: 17 Sep 2018 Location: Essex Posts: 2029
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Great advice from everyone
The coolant change interval is actually 10 years or 120k miles, but can’t harm changing earlier. https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic88231.html?highlight=coolant In addition to the above change your diff oils, check and top up your swivel grease, it’s so called filled for life but does need topping up. Give the prop UJs a good grease, given yours is a 2015 I think the prop sliders don’t have a grease nipple, as once again filled for life! Check when your transfer box oil was last changed, if near 2 years old change it. For belts and braces I would change the gearbox oil as well, but that’s me going over the top again. |
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17th Jul 2023 8:46pm |
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| geobloke Member Since: 06 Nov 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 4410
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I know this is not vehicle related, but it is driver related. In that sort of heat you will need to hydrate small and often. On long trips in hot weather I use a water bladder (Camelback or other) stored in the seat back pocket with the hose wrapped around the side of the cubby box. The seat keeps the water cool and I find it significantly more convenient than swigging from a bottle whilst keeping one eye on the road.
It is a small thing, but it makes the long hot haul much more comfortable. Thought I would share 
Also, if you have any holes in the seat box or transmission tunnel from missing bolts (for example if the centre dickie seat has been removed) then fill those holes as the air that comes up through them is very vey hot when the transmission is working hard. |
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18th Jul 2023 7:06am |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5724 
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For the cost and ease I always changed my diff, transfer, and gearbox oils before big euro holidays. Long motorway journeys get them hot, they are expensive items, and as said easy to change before. It also gives you the chance to see the health of the box, by what comes out.
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18th Jul 2023 8:04am |
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