Highway Driving in -20 and colder

[naterade]

Hey everyone

Been out on the highways quite a bit so far this winter, and plan on some more trips very soon.

My Deli is having a hard time heating up on the highway, the temp guage stays at about 1/3 and the interior gets to about 15 degrees max.

I have some canvas I could place over the rad to keep some of the wind chill off, but I'm unsure how to mount it, and how close to the radiator I should place it - any suggestions?

Anyone else have heat issues, or does anyone do the typical Albertan 'cardboard over grill' treatment on their deli??


Thanks a bunch
Nate

[Firesong]

Hi
Im in Saskatchewan and my L300 stays pretty warm on the highways.
That being said, the windows in the back always fog up with or without
kids or people back there. I believe it's the same thing as with my VW
(which was damn cold in the winter to drive), the cold outside hits
the warm inside and the windows fog etc etc.. When I am
stopped that goes away (or slow speeds) . I have never really had
much problems with heat. My temp gauge goes up to 1/2 and stays
there. I had some hoses / thermostat etc changed when it was new
to me. Is there a chance your thermostat is staying open not allowing
the motor to heat up? I put some puckboard over the opening down
low to keep the snow (from icefishing / snow on the lakes) out and restrict the flow
of air in there (there are holes for some air movement).

I've done multiple highway trips from Athabasca to Toontown, all over the area
fishing in the winter. Usually I can sit in a T-shirt and drive. I do need
to put the floor carpet back in in the front. Had taken it out to dry few
months ago and was too lazy to put it back, have a large custom (personally)
cut rubber mat down.

Firesong

[thedjjack]

My never goes over 1/3 heat even in summer on climbs. Heater feels like it could melt you. I have the winter package, I wounder if the heater core is bigger?

My vote is rad flush (and heater core flush), new anti-freeze, and block the rad some (I use to drive in the cold with a 2 inch square opening on my rad not covered with cardboard on my old Jeep.

[Mr. Flibble]

Always replace the Thermostat if you have having heating issues. Not an expensive replacement, and easy to do.

My never goes over 1/3 heat even in summer on climbs. Heater feels like it could melt you. I have the winter package, I wounder if the heater core is bigger?

My vote is rad flush (and heater core flush), new anti-freeze, and block the rad some (I use to drive in the cold with a 2 inch square opening on my rad not covered with cardboard on my old Jeep.

[naterade]

Always replace the Thermostat if you have having heating issues. Not an expensive replacement, and easy to do.

Thanks for all the help and insights guys.

I will replace the thermostat first, cover the rad second, and go from there

Any suggestions on where to get the part in Calgary?

[TardisDeli]

Ask Erebus or Green1, they are the Calgary delica owners with long experience. Use the PM feature and also email them. I know there are not a lot of Calgary places to do deli work, but I think Kirkham is the mechanic they use.

[jessef]

Ask Green1

Who ?

[naterade]

Ask Erebus or Green1, they are the Calgary delica owners with long experience. Use the PM feature and also email them. I know there are not a lot of Calgary places to do deli work, but I think Kirkham is the mechanic they use.

Is the thermostat replacement something that I could do myself, once I find a new one?

I am not a mechanic, but I am comfy doing small repairs...

I couldn't find any threads on thermostat replacement though...

[jessef]

I couldn't find any threads on thermostat replacement though...

Search button
Type in thermostat

Search results :

http://www.delica.ca/forum/advanced-sea ... mit=Search

Second from top :

http://www.delica.ca/forum/thermostat-i ... Thermostat

1. Drain coolant off rad and engine block. 14mm nut located on exhaust side of block.
2. Remove driver seat and engine cover.
3. Remove power steering pump.
4. Remove lower rad hose connected to thermostat hsg.
5. Remove and install thermostat.

Good luck.

[thedjjack]

If you are going to drain the block...I would change rad/heater hoses and add a block heater if you do not already have one.

It is pretty basic. I always drill a small hole in my thermostats to help prevent air trapping (some have the whole already).

[naterade]

Search button
Type in thermostat

Ya, I had typed in 'thermostat replacement' instead of 'thermostat install'

Thanks

I think I may leave this for a mechanic to do, I am hoping to go to the coast early February and visit CVI to get some work done

[ealanm]

I have some canvas I could place over the rad to keep some of the wind chill off, but I'm unsure how to mount it, and how close to the radiator I should place it - any suggestions?

It doesn't really matter, so long as it stops air going through. A piece of cardboard (or whatever) right up against the front face of the rad works fine. If you're fussy about looks you might want to paint it black to hide it. Or, if you're so inclined, paint it some bright colour to show it off!

I have not tried this on a Delica, but it has worked like hot damn on other vehicles. Worked great on my water-cooled motorcycle when I had to ride it at -20!

[CV-25]

Naterade,

Let me know how you make out, my Deli is having a hard time getting above the two lines at the bottom of the gauge. I am in Kimberley and it has been cold. I had a new thermostat put in but after asking a few people on the forum they all suggested to replace the thermostat. Waiting for Mardy to send me one up.
I know it is not a gauge problem because the vehicle unless going up a long hill just will not warm up. I realize that diesel engines will not warm up like gas but I definately have to get something done. I have in the meantime covered the front of my rad with cardboard.

jeff

[thedjjack]

I would try blocking the rad -20 is cold, the thermostat opens and 1/2 the engine capacity of cold over cooled fluid hits the motor. Thermostat closes but it is going to over cool it.

If it is new and the system is in good shape, cover the radiator up with cardboard (75% or more!) then watch the gauge.

[naterade]

Headed to Edmonton from Cowtown tomorrow night, and it has been -20 + windchill, so I will try the simple fix of some cardboard or canvas, and report back. Maybe that's all that is needed.