Weird happenings on 75 CDTi Auto - please help

MrSooty · 28th July 2015, 16:29

OK, please bear with me on this - at least I can get it out in English - not so easy in Spanish!!

My 2003 75 CDTi Auto seemed 'out of sorts' and not as lively as it used to be, especially on hills (lots of those here in Spain!) and my A/C was not doing what it should, even after a recent re-gassing - so have just had a service at a local Rover 'specialist' (dozens of Freelanders/Landrovers/Rangerovers outside testify to a considerable knowledge bank).

The service included a change of Oil/Filter, as well as filters for Air and Fuel - PLUS I specifically asked for the EGR Valve to be cleaned.

Upon collection the mechanic was keen to show me the old AIR/Fuel filters, which were both very dirty, as apparently was the EGR valve.

The car definitely runs much better and take up is as it used to be (almost like having the Phil-T4 magic done all over again!!).

However, on a local trip today - uphill - the temp gauge moved from its regular 9 position to 10, then 11 for several minutes, during which time the AIRCON stopped working......????

We got home ok without boiling over and I will check coolant levels later.

This had happened on a handful of occasions before yesterday's service and caused me to take it back to the A/C garage who checked it and found no obvious cause of the problem - indeed, the A/C has worked fine since!?

There is gas under pressure in the system and the compressor continues to 'cut in' at regular intervals - in fact, it has become more noticeable at idle, which is not something that I remember it doing - so could this be root of the problem - or is the belt 'slipping due to a worn/slack pulley.....

I would just take it back, but the queue for work to be done on other vehicles with faulty/failed A/C at this time of year is unbelievable - temperatures here are nudging 40 degrees centigrade and August is round the corner!!!!

I really would appreciate some seriously knowledgeable advice/guidance on this, so I can try and get some targeted help locally - and fast!!

Mdan · 28th July 2015, 16:38

Check fans are working aircon fan speed should come on when aircon on engine fan should be noticeably faster and on when temp above half way if aircon overheating it will turn off automatically

jscpch · 28th July 2015, 16:59

Sorry, can't help with your problem - but where in Spain do you live?
I also live there and it would be useful to know of a Rover Specialist

MrSooty · 28th July 2015, 17:02

Andalucia - Provincia de Cordoba, so not good for you I guess!!

Enjoying the warm weather?

Dallas · 28th July 2015, 17:23

As Mdan has suggested, check if your radiator fan is working.

Go outside to your car now, put key in ignition and switch on (no need to start engine as its a diesel). Press the demist button on the heater controls and walk around to front of car and look through front grill to see if the large radiator fan is spinning.

MrSooty · 28th July 2015, 17:28

OK MDAN/Dallas - looks like you are both 'on target' with this one!! :-)

Just been out and performed the 'fan test' - nothing moving out front ...:-(

Guess that has to be the cheaper/easier fix option!

Given my location in Spain - what is the 'best' replacement part I can expect??

I will email my local garage and warn them that I will be coming to see them very soon - or as we say here "hasta pronto"

Trust me, an absence of A/C here and now is NOT welcome

Dallas · 28th July 2015, 18:22

Your A/C is not the problem at the moment, letting your engine overheat is, especially with the HOT 40c climate in Spain.

Next test is to see if you have a silver or gold resistor fitted next to your fan, behind the front grill (it should be located at the 2 o'clock position).

MrSooty · 28th July 2015, 18:31

Thanks Dallas - I will check that specific point later tonight, but suspect I have the silver version and that your advice would be to 'upgrade' to gold!

I have already contacted the garage (10 mile drive) and will be taking the car in to them at 11.00am tomorrow...

Not sure if the resistor upgrade is an option out here - but will opt for it if I can - I'd settle for a working fan/Aircon for now and maybe get the 'gold' option done when I am next in the UK!

Thanks again,

Dallas · 28th July 2015, 18:42

The gold resistor should be available from ebay.

What does surprise me is your local Rover 'specialist' not checking if the fan was working when carrying-out the service check, I'm sure you would have explained to them about your 75 overheating days beforehand ( a good Rover mechanic with some knowledge would have hopefully known about the fan test etc).

We need our radiator fan gods 'Simon' (SD1too) & Steve (Artic), they will be able to tell you more about the fan and the correct A/C operation.

I'm sure they will be along shortly.

Georgies Dad · 28th July 2015, 18:48

Get a gold resister of Jules who is trader on here,I am sure he would post to spain,leave the e bay ones well alone

28th July 2015, 16:29	#1
MrSooty Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Andalucia Posts: 149 Thanks: 21 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Weird happenings on 75 CDTi Auto - please help OK, please bear with me on this - at least I can get it out in English - not so easy in Spanish!! My 2003 75 CDTi Auto seemed 'out of sorts' and not as lively as it used to be, especially on hills (lots of those here in Spain!) and my A/C was not doing what it should, even after a recent re-gassing - so have just had a service at a local Rover 'specialist' (dozens of Freelanders/Landrovers/Rangerovers outside testify to a considerable knowledge bank). The service included a change of Oil/Filter, as well as filters for Air and Fuel - PLUS I specifically asked for the EGR Valve to be cleaned. Upon collection the mechanic was keen to show me the old AIR/Fuel filters, which were both very dirty, as apparently was the EGR valve. The car definitely runs much better and take up is as it used to be (almost like having the Phil-T4 magic done all over again!!). However, on a local trip today - uphill - the temp gauge moved from its regular 9 position to 10, then 11 for several minutes, during which time the AIRCON stopped working......???? We got home ok without boiling over and I will check coolant levels later. This had happened on a handful of occasions before yesterday's service and caused me to take it back to the A/C garage who checked it and found no obvious cause of the problem - indeed, the A/C has worked fine since!? There is gas under pressure in the system and the compressor continues to 'cut in' at regular intervals - in fact, it has become more noticeable at idle, which is not something that I remember it doing - so could this be root of the problem - or is the belt 'slipping due to a worn/slack pulley..... I would just take it back, but the queue for work to be done on other vehicles with faulty/failed A/C at this time of year is unbelievable - temperatures here are nudging 40 degrees centigrade and August is round the corner!!!! I really would appreciate some seriously knowledgeable advice/guidance on this, so I can try and get some targeted help locally - and fast!!

28th July 2015, 18:22	#7
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,596 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	Your A/C is not the problem at the moment, letting your engine overheat is, especially with the HOT 40c climate in Spain. Next test is to see if you have a silver or gold resistor fitted next to your fan, behind the front grill (it should be located at the 2 o'clock position). Last edited by Dallas; 28th July 2015 at 18:31..

28th July 2015, 18:48	#10
Georgies Dad This is my second home Land Rover Join Date: May 2013 Location: Thorpe St Andrew,Norwich Posts: 14,715 Thanks: 933 Thanked 2,925 Times in 1,979 Posts	Get a gold resister of Jules who is trader on here,I am sure he would post to spain,leave the e bay ones well alone __________________ Steve and Georgie Together Forever Lonely days are long Twilight sings a song All the happiness that used to be Soon my eyes will close Soon I'll find repose And in dreams, you're always near to me I'll see you in my dreams And then I'll hold you in my dreams

28th July 2015, 16:38	#2
Mdan Gets stuck in mg zt Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: northampton Posts: 552 Thanks: 48 Thanked 30 Times in 26 Posts	Check fans are working aircon fan speed should come on when aircon on engine fan should be noticeably faster and on when temp above half way if aircon overheating it will turn off automatically

28th July 2015, 16:59	#3
jscpch Regular poster Rover 75 CDTI Club Saloon Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Benissa/Moraira Posts: 55 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Sorry, can't help with your problem - but where in Spain do you live? I also live there and it would be useful to know of a Rover Specialist

28th July 2015, 17:02	#4
MrSooty Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Andalucia Posts: 149 Thanks: 21 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Andalucia - Provincia de Cordoba, so not good for you I guess!! Enjoying the warm weather?

28th July 2015, 17:23	#5
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,596 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	As Mdan has suggested, check if your radiator fan is working. Go outside to your car now, put key in ignition and switch on (no need to start engine as its a diesel). Press the demist button on the heater controls and walk around to front of car and look through front grill to see if the large radiator fan is spinning.

28th July 2015, 17:28	#6
MrSooty Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Andalucia Posts: 149 Thanks: 21 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	OK MDAN/Dallas - looks like you are both 'on target' with this one!! :-) Just been out and performed the 'fan test' - nothing moving out front ...:-( Guess that has to be the cheaper/easier fix option! Given my location in Spain - what is the 'best' replacement part I can expect?? I will email my local garage and warn them that I will be coming to see them very soon - or as we say here "hasta pronto" Trust me, an absence of A/C here and now is NOT welcome

28th July 2015, 18:31	#8
MrSooty Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Andalucia Posts: 149 Thanks: 21 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Thanks Dallas - I will check that specific point later tonight, but suspect I have the silver version and that your advice would be to 'upgrade' to gold! I have already contacted the garage (10 mile drive) and will be taking the car in to them at 11.00am tomorrow... Not sure if the resistor upgrade is an option out here - but will opt for it if I can - I'd settle for a working fan/Aircon for now and maybe get the 'gold' option done when I am next in the UK! Thanks again,

28th July 2015, 18:42	#9
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,596 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	The gold resistor should be available from ebay. What does surprise me is your local Rover 'specialist' not checking if the fan was working when carrying-out the service check, I'm sure you would have explained to them about your 75 overheating days beforehand ( a good Rover mechanic with some knowledge would have hopefully known about the fan test etc). We need our radiator fan gods 'Simon' (SD1too) & Steve (Artic), they will be able to tell you more about the fan and the correct A/C operation. I'm sure they will be along shortly.