I have recently bought a Hilux Surf. I took it up to Stockton Sand Dunes on the weekend, When i drove on the sand on the beach, it began to overheat. It would only overheat on the sand, on the road it doesnt miss a beat. The feller i bought it off, told me it has a new head and radiatior but doesnt have the thermostat put in. I was hoping to get some advise on how i can stop it overheating, or if someone can tell me why they think it is overheating. Thanks.

 

First and for most put a thermostat in it. It's a misconception that without the thermostat the engine will run cooler. Quite the opposite.. The thermostat allows coolant to remain in the radiator longer to achieve thermal transfer, or, remove the heat from the coolant. Without a thermostat the coolant circulates through the radiator too fast. Also the thermostat allows the engine to warm up sooner reducing wear on the internal components.

Second, running in sand puts an extra strain on your engine due to increased rollong resistance from the sand. start with the thermostat, reduce to air pressure in your tires to allow them to run on top of the sand instead of through it, and stay in a lower gear.

 

"on the road" as in highway, or any paved road? If it runs cool on the highway, but not going slow through town, look into a new fan clutch for the radiator fan.