The inevitable happened: I broke down - Printable Version +- STD (https://www.superturbodiesel.com/std) +-- Forum: Other (https://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/forumdisplay.php?fid=19) +--- Forum: Projects (https://www.superturbodiesel.com/std/forumdisplay.php?fid=14) +--- Thread: The inevitable happened: I broke down (/showthread.php?tid=7731)

The inevitable happened: I broke down - frans-c - 05-06-2017 I had to attend a construction site meeting in some godforsaken town on Thursday. Our company is also going to do the design of the upgrade of a section of gravel road close by, so after the meeting I decided to drive it just to see what it looks like. I had some fun on the extremely sandy road (and actually got semi stuck at one point). But the Turbodiesel would have none of it: approximately 6 miles away from the nearest cellphone reception and civilisation (I was literally all on my own the entire time, with no cars passing by), the radiator decided to promptly blow itself up. All I could do was park it on the side of the road and start walking back (I was slightly concerned that a lion or leopard might see me for an easy meal ). After about an hour and probably 4 miles of walking, a truck passed me and offered me a ride to town (very grateful for the guys' help). My insurance company was excellent - the low-bed was on its way probably less than 2 minutes after calling them. The local radiator shop ordered me a new radiator from Johannesburg, which arrived mid-afternoon on Friday. Arrived safely home just after 21:00. Much fun was had  . Edit: Had a block test done to establish whether the cooling system was being pressurised by combustion gases. Thankfully that proved negative. The techy said he wasn't surprised the old one exploded as it did, as the core was quite blocked (which also explains why the upper radiator hose was so hard when the engine was hot). RE: The inevitable happened: I broke down - Simpler=Better - 05-08-2017 Wow! Glad you made it back in 1 piece. With construction jobs like that I think you need a G-can, or at least a lift RE: The inevitable happened: I broke down - NZScott - 05-09-2017 Wow, not the best place to let your radiator let you down... I hate the damn plastic tanked radiators, swapping in a universal all ali one in my car at the moment RE: The inevitable happened: I broke down - frans-c - 05-09-2017 So, after getting back home and buttoning everything up, my engine simply refused to crank over. All lights came on when I turned the ignition, but there was no response from the starter. My Irish Whatsapp-mechanic (seanyt) helped me to establish a diagnosis, but neither of us really had a firm idea of what the issue was. Last night, after combing through all the wiring diagrams on WIS, and confusing readouts from my multimeter (either 0 Ohm resistance or 6 V, from the same wires - WTF???), I decided to break open my K40 overvoltage protection relay. And found this: The track supplying voltage to the transmission control unit within the K40 overvoltage protection relay was burned through. It runs directly next to the electrical connector (the adjacent three small pins) that's connected to the starter solenoid. I wouldn't be surprised if the connector got so hot during some previous extended cranking procedures to bleed the fuel system (sometimes cranking up to 30 seconds) that it started to melt the adjacent track. I suspect the track broke completely a few days ago (fortunately in my driveway). Welded a short piece of insulated wire on the opposite side.  All's well again - for how long is anybody's guess...