ladyranger · Oct 25, 2006

Hi, does any one know if my 1997 2.5DT should be able to tow 2.5 tonnes? It tow's lovely on the flat but as soon as the Range Rover starts to go up hill's it heats up very quickly and becomes a slug until the red overheating light comes on and i pull over to let it cool down. I've had the thermostat changed, radiator's flushed, water pump stripped and checked for wear, there's no water in the oil and it doesn't use water unless it boils over! Why???? also it only does 19 miles to the gallon (town and country lanes), a chap down the garage said it feels like it's been chipped but surely this is supposed to increase fuel consumption? and power? so why can't it tow? He then said it may be one of the over fueling chip's, would this make it overheat?? he then told me to put an extra fan on the radiator which is fine but i'd like to know if i'm just masking a problem that it going to go bang soon! (Don't talk to him anymore!!) Anyone that has had experience in towing with their RR i would love to hear from you. I could just avoid hills but i live up the top of a big one so a bit stuck!! I love my Range Rover and don't want to get rid, please help!!

brookediamond · Oct 25, 2006

ladyranger said:
Hi, does any one know if my 1997 2.5DT should be able to tow 2.5 tonnes? It tow's lovely on the flat but as soon as the Range Rover starts to go up hill's it heats up very quickly and becomes a slug until the red overheating light comes on and i pull over to let it cool down. I've had the thermostat changed, radiator's flushed, water pump stripped and checked for wear, there's no water in the oil and it doesn't use water unless it boils over! Why???? also it only does 19 miles to the gallon (town and country lanes), a chap down the garage said it feels like it's been chipped but surely this is supposed to increase fuel consumption? and power? so why can't it tow? He then said it may be one of the over fueling chip's, would this make it overheat?? he then told me to put an extra fan on the radiator which is fine but i'd like to know if i'm just masking a problem that it going to go bang soon! (Don't talk to him anymore!!) Anyone that has had experience in towing with their RR i would love to hear from you. I could just avoid hills but i live up the top of a big one so a bit stuck!! I love my Range Rover and don't want to get rid, please help!!

Ok here goes.
I own a rr dse 1998.
I tow an ifor williams trailer( 1 ton). in that trailer i place 2 horses ( one is 17.1 hands the other 16.2 hands about 3/4 ton each)

I make that 2.5 ton in total.
I live in and around the pennines ( lots of hills).
My car towes them easy and never ever ever overheats.
The range rover is capable of towing 3 .5 tonn ( i have done it and it was fine).

I THINK YOUR PROBLEM IS A MIX OF THINGS
THESE TIPS WILL GET YOU ALOT BETTER FUEL PERFORMANCE.
NO 1 REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER FOR A K AND N PERFORMANCE AIR FILTER INSERT( 40 QUID OF INTERNET).
NO 2 REPLACE YOUR ENGINE OIL FOR FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL
NO 3 ADD A CAN OF SLICK 50 TO ENGINE OIL.
THESE TIPS WILL CURE OVERHEATING
N0 4 EVEN THOU RADIATOR WAS FLUSHED DOES NOT MEEN IT WAS OK. ( BUY A RECON UNIT FROM AUTORADS AND THIS WILL STOP OVERHEATING).
N0 5 MAKE SURE FAN WORKS ON RADIATOR.( LIFT BONNET WITH ENGINE RUNNING TO CHECK IF FAN SPINS).
NO 6 WAS THEREMOSTAT A LANDROVER APROVED PART?. IF NOT GET A LANDY STAT.
NO 7 was intercooler checked and cleaned ( it could be clogged).

ISSUE WITH POSSIBLE FUEL CHIP
FUEL CHIPS GIVE YOU GREATER PERFORMANCE AND USE LESS FUEL SO GUY AT GARAGE IS VERY CONFUSED.
email me at ewan@ewanbrooke.wanadoo.co.uk
and i will help further

ladyranger · Oct 25, 2006

Thanks for your reply. I am also towing two horses 16hh but in a lighter wessex trailer, although i have thought about putting the range rover in the horse box and towing it with the horses!!! Yes the stat was a landrover part. The viscous fan and unit were both replaced and working as they should. Very interested about the intercooler, a machanic that i was talking to said about the intercooler and checking that, and that there is room on the range rover to replace it for a bigger one, but i don't know alot about them. This wouldn't cause the overheating would it? it would just improve the performance! I guess if it wasn't working as it should it would also add to the poor fuel consumption? I will get the k&n filter and replace the oil etc. Thanks for the tips!!

brookediamond · Oct 25, 2006

If the intercooler was blocked then the car would overheat.
you can replace the intercooler for a larger one an dit would improve your performance aswell( try alard intercoolers on the net) they aint cheep but they know there onions.

Bigstoo · Oct 25, 2006

i have a 96DT, and can pull my 1ton trailer + 750Kg easily without overheating. tbh I think you have other issues, whether its the need for a larger intercooler or making sure your viscous unit is fully operational, im not sure. are you losing any coolant?

hurrricaneuk · Oct 26, 2006

hey dude
had a similair problem with my ranger rover 4.6hse while towing a caravan...
changed the radiator and viscous coupling and never had any more trouble, seems these are weak points on the cooling system hope this helps

Jason2 · Oct 27, 2006

Radiator problem, because of the aluminium structure of the radiator internal corroding reducing optimal cooling surface area which under load is not enough to cool the engine, flushing wont necessarily make any difference.New radiator needed!

rangiep38 · Oct 27, 2006

had the same problem offroading, it always happened at the same long steep hill in the summer. mind you i do have a smaller radiator from a mercedes in mine which was just temporary till i got another 1, been a year now think i`ll change it this weekend!

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