Engine Cooling – V6 Engine Page 6B1–61
4 Engine Cooling System
Diagnosis
4.1 Poor Heater Operation
Little or no heat coming from the heater, especially at idle could be an indication of a cooling system problem.
As the coolant level begins to get lower than normal, air enters the system to replace the missing coolant. The heater
core is one of the highest parts of the cooling system and therefore, the first area to lose coolant circulation.
At first, with a small amount of coolant loss, lack of heat will be most noticeable at idle. As driving speed increases, the
engine pumps more coolant and more heat is now able to pass through the heater core.
If coolant level drops even lower, heater operation will become less effective, even during normal driving. Cooling and
engine systems can be adversely affected if problem is not corrected before overheating occurs.
4.2 Leaking Cylinder Head Gasket
Combustion gases leaking past the cylinder head gasket can pressurise the cooling system, forcing coolant out of the
system and into the coolant recovery reservoir.
Indications are air bubbles in the coolant or an overflow condition of the recovery reservoir.
4.3 Question the Customer
To avoid needless time and cost in diagnosing cooling system complaints, the customer should be questioned about
driving conditions that place abnormal loads on the cooling system.
1 Is overheating occurring after prolonged idle, in gear, with air conditioning system operating?
If answer is YES – instruct owner on driving techniques that would avoid overheating such as:
• Idle in neutral as much as possible – increase engine rpm to get higher air flow (due to an increase in voltage
to the fan) and coolant flow through the radiator
• Turn air conditioning system off during extended idling periods if overheating is indicated on temperature
gauge. Further diagnostic checks should not be required
2 Is overheating occurring after prolonged driving in slow city traffic, traffic jams, parades, etc?
If answer is YES, explain driving technique to the customer, that would avoid overheating – same as for prolonged idle – No.1. Further diagnostic checks should not be required.
4.4 Diagnostic Chart
If none of the above conditions apply, refer to the following Diagnosis Chart.
To effectively use this chart, question the customer to determine which of the following three categories apply to the
complaint:
1 If complaint is hot indication on temperature gauge.
W as temperature reading accompanied by boiling?
• If answer is YES, go to overheating on diagnosis chart
• If answer is NO, check temperature gauge and sender
2 If complaint is boiling – go to overheating on diagnosis chart.
3 If complaint is coolant loss. Determine if customer is filling the system correctly.
4 If incorrect filling is not the problem, go to coolant loss in the diagnosis chart.
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ISUZU KB P190 2007
