Do you have a temperature gauge fitted? I have, it's a dipstick one, and is accurate. If you have one, what engine temperature does yours run at? Mine runs at 105-115 around town, and up to 120-130 on a long run at 55mph. I just can't find a way of getting it cooler, so now thinking that perhaps that's just how autos run? I have had all sorts of VW camper mechanics look at the engine, to no avail. They all say they have never seen a temp gauge in an auto, so don't know if it's normal....although obviously hotter than the engine should run. The engine otherwise runs absolutely flawlessly; starts well, pulls well etc etc And yes, the temp gauge in my car is accurate, and all OE cooling bits in place and in good order. I'm thinking that, if we all run a little hot, then perhaps the oil cooler was just never quite up to the job...so perhaps I might upgrade it.......
Maybe being an auto you arnt having the revs of a gear change ? As a comparison I have same dipstick that reads about right ,runs at 90 ish to 105 max if on motorway hills up n down . I’d say 125 is too hot but others might not . Hopefully an auto boy will be along shortly . Gd luck
There will be a reason why it's running hotter than normal ....has the engine been out and cleaned up whilst in your ownership ...could be muck swarf what ever clogged in the cooling ways between all the tin wear . Have the cooling flaps operating freely ...deffo got your under tins ? .is the oil cooler clogged with leaked oil and swarf ?
I have an auto and the engine used to run a bit hot. I took it to Spain and found it could barely make it up some hills and was reaching 140 C. Eventually the trans packed in and there was no drive at all. I had it refurbed and it's been fine now for 9 years. I think the clutch bands were slipping and the engine was having to work harder to get anywhere. It rarely gets over 100 C nowadays. Auto Transmissions in Huddersfield are the men to go to.
I don’t have any gauges or worry clocks as they are better known fitted, except a fuel gauge and that’s not very accurate
What's the ATF looking like? If it's gone brown this may indicate it's time to get the trans checked out.
How accurate is the actual gauge? Have you calibrated it? Ive seen a few VDO gauges reading 10/20 degs over actual temp fairly recently
Yeah, everything is in place. And everything has been off and cleaned. And temp gauge is accurate. 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Interesting. I know 120 is a tad high, but reassuring that this say 120 on a run. 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
It's spot on. Checked with a jug of boiling water and a thermometer. Was expecting it to be wrong. But it's spot on. 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Interesting. I do wonder if it's slipping causing it to run hot, but it does seem to be running well without issues.... but a nagging feeling that you could be right. Are there any checks I can do to know? 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
20w50 Halfords Classic green nice smelling stuff. Too heavy perhaps? 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
I haven’t seen that video before Jim but it uses the usual filter sandwich plate with a thermostat. I don’t like the banjo fittings but when you look at the type 4 filter and where the cooler pipes need to go it’s probably either a spacer under the sandwich plate or banjo connectors. And I don’t like the cooler behind the rear wheel either, although it does mean the oil pipes are short.
