exterminator van – Commercial Van Solutions

Your exterminator van‘s engine features a cooling system to prevent it from overheating during normal operation, but a surprisingly large number of items can cause this process to go awry. An overheating engine can suffer permanent internal damage such as a cracked engine block or cylinder head, so it’s important to get the issue resolved as soon as possible.

Below are some of the main items you will want to review:

Blown Head Gasket

A blown head gasket is one of the most common failures that result in overheating. The head gasket forms a tight seal that allows for the combustion process inside the cylinder head and engine block. Regular heating and cooling of the engine can cause the gasket to fail over time. Along with being a quite common cause of overheating, a blown head gasket is fortunately easy to detect as well. If your engine is running very rough when you start your van, a gasket fail is likely the cause.

Bad Thermostat

If your thermostat becomes stuck, it will constantly think the engine is cold, and coolant will not be able to flow to the radiator. A sure sign of a bad thermostat is that your engine will usually overheat within 15 minutes, and you will hear a loud banging sound from hot and cold coolant attempting to mix in the radiator.

Cooling Fan

Your van’s cooling fan will be located behind the radiator. The cooling fan moves air through the radiator and helps remove heat from the engine at low speeds. You can attempt to spin the wheel by hand and ensure that it can rotate freely. If the fan is hard to turn or you hear rough noises, the fan will need to be replaced.

Plugged Radiator

Your radiator can fail via three different potential problems. The most obvious issue is external blockages from dirt and debris from the road, which prevents air from freely flowing through. Your radiator can also become blocked internally, which will require removing the radiator cap and inspecting internally with a flashlight for blockages. The final issue you may experience with your radiator is a coolant leak.

Bad Pump

The coolant pump helps circulate coolant through the engine and radiator. A pump can either develop a leak due to a bad seal (which can cause squealing or grinding noises), or the pump impeller can come loose and stop pumping. Your pump will need to be replaced either way.

Low Coolant

Liquid coolant is required at an appropriate pressure and amount to keep your van’s cooling system in working condition. You can check your coolant by allowing the engine to cool off, and removing the radiator cap. You should notice a small amount of pressure released, this is normal. You can gauge your coolant to see if you are running low, which may indicate that your engine has a coolant leak.

Conclusion

This information will hopefully help assist you in diagnosing the overheating problem in your van. Remember to always consult your own vehicle’s manual for specifics, and contact a professional if you are unsure how to safely complete any repairs yourself.

Getting behind the wheel of a van is different than driving a car because it’s bigger, heavier and is normally carrying extra weight from cargo.

There are some similarities that can be applied across both vehicles. You should always do basic checks before every journey including water, oil and windscreen washer levels as well as tyre tread depth and condition.

Typically, van drivers are on the road for longer than their car driving counterparts which increases their risk of being involved in an accident.

We’ve put together a list of helpful tips to make every journey in a van safer.

ADOPT A COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION

There are some key differences between driving a car and a van; one of them is the driving position. In a van, you’re much higher giving you a better view of the road ahead.

In contrast, most vans don’t have a rear view mirror – either there is a full steel bulkhead separating the passenger and cargo areas or it’s a panel van without windows – so there are less ways to see behind you.

A comfortable driving position is important to avoid getting aches and pains from long-distance trips. A correct driving position also means adjusting your large door mirrors to optimise your field of vision to see as much of the road behind you as possible.

GET FAMILIAR WITH THE CONTROLS

Whenever you get behind the wheel of a new vehicle, you should familiarise yourself with the indicators, lights, hazard warnings and wipers.

Did you know that you can travel the length of two double decker buses in just a few seconds at 30mph? So, taking your eyes off the road to find the lights could easily lead to an accident.

In a van, the gearstick is normally located on the dashboard, adjacent to the steering wheel, which is an unfamiliar position for people used to driving a car.

Some vans also come with a sixth gear for added fuel efficiency, so it’s important to check this before you set off rather than discovering it 50 miles into your journey.

KNOW THE DIMENSIONS

It’s obvious that a van is usually taller and longer than a car, but that imposes certain restrictions on where you can drive and park it.

For example, some car parks, especially underground ones, have height limits that you might not be able to fit under, so you should know the van’s dimensions before you attempt to get into one.

Also be aware of bridges, tunnels, overhanging trees and width-restricted lanes and roads.

PLAN A ROUTE AND LEAVE EXTRA TIME

Often you’ll be using a van for your business or moving items from one place to another. As such, you could be driving on unfamiliar roads or have a schedule to stick to.

To avoid rushing, getting stressed and increasing your blood pressure – all things that lead to impaired decision making – try to plan a route that avoids travelling in congested areas at peak times.

When you plan a route, you’ll have an estimated time that it should take you to reach your destination. It’s advisable to always leave some extra time to account for any delays that you might encounter.

LOAD YOUR CARGO PROPERLY

A properly loaded van makes a huge difference to the way the vehicle handles on the road and the safety of the driver and other road users.

Ideally, the load should be as low as possible and in the centre of the wheelbase to spread the weight evenly. Tall items especially, should be tied down if you can’t tether the whole load.

Moving items can destabilise the van and damage other goods that you’re carrying.

Investing in the right commercial van will help keep your cargo safe and avoid wasting your profits.

SECURE THE CARGO DOORS

Once you’ve got the load in, you don’t want it to go anywhere before it’s reached its final destination. Make sure you lock the rear and side doors before you set off.

In 2008, an 80-year-old pedestrian was hit by the unsecured door of a van and suffered fatal injuries. The driver was charged with dangerous driving and received a court sentence.

Ensuring all the doors to your van are locked is also good practice to avoid being targeted by opportunistic thieves.

KNOW THE SPEED LIMIT

Vans have a different speed limit to cars and you need to be aware of these to drive safely and legally.

A national speed limit sign on a single carriageway means 50mph for a van. The same sign on a dual carriageway means 60mph for a van. Both are 10mph slower than for cars.

INCREASE BRAKING DISTANCES

The heavier your payload, and the larger your van, the more time and distance you’ll need to come to a complete stop. By increasing your braking distances you give yourself more time to react, and a greater chance of avoiding an accident.

As with any vehicle, you should take particular care in wet or icy conditions. Heavy winds can also impact taller vans which are more susceptible to toppling over.

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How To Fix Your Van’s Overheating Engine