transit overheating ish

[NoRush]

Travelling back from Birmingham today towing a large ish chipper my van started to overheat. It didn't go in the red but did keep going up when driving up hills and back down to normal when going down. I'm thinking its the thermostat as is levelled out a bit when I turned on the heating full. Its a 90hp transit and it did the same run yesterday with no problem. Would I be right in thinking it's the thermostat or would it be something more serious. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[Benny4817]

could be but it has been very hot today what is the percentage level of antifreeze have you got in relation to water is it high enough as it also acts as a summer coolant

[Mick Dempsey]

My 90hp would do the same.

Ambient temperature can affect cooling for sure.

Just make sure there's coolant in there and keep an eye on it.

Pound to a penny there's no problem

[NoRush]

Not checked I've only topped it up a little with water because I ran out of coolant and that wasn't much

[Tom D]

What year is it, the 2009 shape has a common fault of one of the hoses rubbing through, it runs down and drips near the water pump...

[NoRush]

It's a 2000 model 161 thou on clock. No drips. I'm thinking of taking thermostat out in this weather just to c if it sorts it

[djbobbins]

Hot day, towing, only gets towards the red when hauling uphill... doesn't sound like there's a major problem but maybe a good clean out wouldn't do any harm. I'd suggest dropping the bottom hose, giving it a good flush and refilling with fresh coolant before touching the thermostat.

[treequip]

Have a good look at the rad, the symptoms match knackered cooling vanes, rad works but only until you put it under some work

[Burgess]

Like others have said sounds like it's just not as efficent at cooling as it should be.

[Haironyourchest]

My hiace used to heat up towing uphill. Mechanic just pulled the thermostat out "no need for it" he reckoned. Still heated, but not as much, the thermo gadget slightly impedes the coolant circulation, apparently.