Hi from Holland!

[Chaosizer]

Hello off-roaders, i`m Chaosizer, in short Chaos as im chaotic in all my daily doing. A few months ago we bought a new speedboat which weights to heavy to pull it out on the ramp for my current car. Hence we looked and searched for an affordable 4x4 that could pull at least 2.5t. We found and bought a 2.2i 16v 5 door van Frontera, B 1999. (learned that here ) And immediately found a new hobby Past weekend we tested it here in the hills running through huge mudpools and also we trailered the boat in lowgear on a 16% slope all a piece of cake really. The only thing that worried me a bit was the temperature fluctuation, guess the stat is kicking in at around 95deg.C going back to below 80deg.C and up after some slowtraffic / 4wheel action. Been reading the 2.2 petrol engine topics and noticed waay too many threads on h/g issues lol. Time will tell, i will keep running it until i see white creams of smokes until then im not fiddling with it. Any walkthroughs h/g replacements ??

Anyways hope to contribute and learn lots here!

greets Chaos

[4x4 bobby]

Welcome to the forum Chaos hope you get a lot of fun from your truck.

[Frenchfarmer]

Where in Holland did you find a 16% slope? I've done gigs all over Holland and the steepest thing I found was a speed bump.

[Kevin1964]

[Frenchfarmer]

Sorry couldn't resist.
There's a good chat on the engine specific Forum. Go to "Board Index" scroll down to "Petrol Engines" then click on "2.2" and realise that it's time to start ordering a head gasket set.

http://www.fronteraowners.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=30827

Looks like it is best to do the Head gasket before you bend the head. And don't use a gasket kit from Vauxhall/GM/Opel but get one from a well known gasket/alternative parts company.
Is there no way of fitting a better thermostat?? Better cooling fans?? Like us in France you probably use ready made coolant in a can and don't do the "Fill with water and then add antifreeze" that they do on that little, overpopulated, island off the West coast of Europe so yourmotor might last longer but it seems inevitable.

[Sir-Doris]

Hi mate and welcome to the forum!

The temp fluctuation sounds normal for a 2.2 petrol So long as the fans kick in when the temp goes just before the red and its not losing water you've got a good one.

[horses45]

Hi and welcome along to the forum and as said before enjoy

[Chaosizer]

[Alfie]

Hello and welcome. Hope you can get fixed and back on the road soon.