Lucida Intercooler/ Overheating

[msu]

Hello,

I have recently purchased a 94 model 4wd auto 2.2td lucida fitted with intercooler. It has got an electronic control inside the car to control the intercooler function (that I have not used so far and I am not sure if it is working or not).

On longer trips (Motorway journeys) the car tend to overheat but it works fine under 60 mph. There is no smoke, loss of oil/ water/ coolant etc. and no trace of water/ oil mixing.

Is it necessary to use intercooler for better cooling of main radiator?

Is it possible that a dirty air conditioning grill in front of main radiator may be responsible for overheating? If yes, how can I clean it? Just by water spay etc?

Thermostat valve is apparently working fine as the flow of water in expansion bottle suddenly increases when the car temperature reaches normal (about half way).

If I go for chemical flushing of radiator, should I keep the intercooler on? or it is independent of cooling system?

Thanks.

[Andy]

A bit confused with what you are saying, the intercooler works by cooling the air into the inlet, see here http://www.turbonation.com/intrcool.htm, and they dont have any controls that I know of, so maybe you have a boost controller.

For the overheating maybe it would be an idea to check the viscous fan is working ok.

[msu]

A bit confused with what you are saying, the intercooler works by cooling the air into the inlet, see here http://www.turbonation.com/intrcool.htm, and they dont have any controls that I know of, so maybe you have a boost controller.

For the overheating maybe it would be an idea to check the viscous fan is working ok.

Thank you for your response and sorry for confusion.

I simply mean to ask whether intercooler has any effect on engine cooling/ heating or not. The controller I referred to is actually a timer. Should I use it to certain set time or on auto?

Viscous fan is working fine.

I think the trouble was due to an air lock. I am going to flush the system and refill it with coolant. I am also thinking of adding K-seal to counter any possibility of headgasket failure.

Thanks.

[Andy38]

just to let u know i have a lucida and have suffered overheating on motorways tried everything including flushing etc in end had a new radiator fitted and have not had a problem since

[Alspence]

I had the same problem with my 2.2td auto,was fine under 55-60 but any thing over that and up she would go.

Had a new double core radiator fitted and has been fine since and I tow a trailer tent.

The imports use a different coolant to us in the uk and it tends to sludge up in the bottom of the rad,my old one had about 2" of it in the bottom,and no amount of flushing will get rid of it.

I got my radiator from www.japanspares.co.ukfor just over £100 with postage.

Good Luck.Alex.