Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I just returned from a Kgalagadi/Namibia trip. Max temperatures ranged between 36 to 42 degrees C, it was really nice and hot
Corrugation is the nemesis of many a thing and the Kgalagadi has a good measure of that On the latter part of the trip in the dunes towards Gharagab (road the same type of condition as to Mabua or Kaa) the aircon did not cool although it worked - if that makes sense - as if there was no gas in. The next morning was a bit cooler and I only switched the aircon on at about 9 am to find it working perfectly again for the rest of the trip.
On my last day in the Kgalagadi on the dune road leading from Dikbaardskolk to Kamqua I noticed the temperature gauge moving up to above the halfway mark. I immediately switched the aircon off and it returned to the normal position (just below the halfway mark). It was at that stage about 38 degrees. As soon as I switched the aircon on the temp gauge again started to move up - needless to say I then switched the aircon off.
Later in the afternoon there was a quick shower of rain and it cooled off to about 30 degrees. When I tried to use the aircon on a lower setting it was fine and without any influance on the temp. The next morning I left the park through Mata Mata and took the D616 tweespoor dune road leading south and again saw the temp gauge going up when the aircon was switched on even at the lowest setting. As soon as I turned it off the temp was as usual. Temp during the day ranged between 38 and 40 degrees - my wife really did not enjoy that too much as we could not use the aircon for the day's drive. Next morning we headed home from Springbok and max temp was about 28 degrees. With aircon on no problems - temp normal.
Any ideas ?

Open the windows and leave the wife at home???

No but seriously, have you checked the radiators for seeds?

Also may be because you where doing low speeds on a hot day with not enough air flow through the radiator or that the radiator needs an acid wash

Ian, I nearly came home alone, at some stage she was not looking good at all - a nice 38/40 degree wind blowing through your hair - wat can be nicer - but if she wants to travel with me she knows she must be able to take the punch

Even when we hit the tar close to the Noordoewer I still could not turn the aircon on. I drove in similar conditions a lot in the past but the Patrols' temp always amazed me as it sometimes get moer of a hot, I drive for 10 + ours a day in those tempts and the vehicle is still hot underfoot the next morning as it doesn't really cool off.

There is a little bit of seeds although I do not think it is such that it could be the problem (I clean it out after every trip). My only problem is that whatever I do will only be tested when I encounter those same conditions and I don't like to wander off into remoter areas with a vehicle that's not in good shape. I am doing most of my trips alone (either just me, or me and my wife and/or son) - did all of my trips in the past 13 years like that. I also like to go in the quieter times but the conditions is also then a bit harsher.

I'm no expert on the 4.8, I've only had mine for 2 months . Mine has 2 electric fans that switch on when the aircon is activated. Did you check those fans?

Ok jan die saad gaan diep in jou aircon radiator in mens kan dit amper nie sien nie ...ek stel voor jy brand jou aircon een met n gas vlam en kyk .sodra jou engine by 105 grade kom sit hy jou ac af ..

Daar is n draad op die linlerkant voor op die radiator wat jy kan uitplug en dan gebeur dit nie meer nie maar dan loop jy die risiko dat jou kar warm kan word .
Ek stel voor
Kyk na jou radiators aircon en water een
Moet asb nie dat silwerton of iemand dit verf nie
Kyk na viscus en waterpomp

Kyk ook na termostat

Kyk ook na termostat

Pieter - yes the electric fans do come on when AC is activated.

Dankie Tinus sal ook daai items uitcheck.

Jannie, het jy al die viscous gecheck?

Jannie kyk of daai verkoeler nie geblok is in die binne kant nie en miskien n goeie flush gee