Thread: Is she running hot?

A proper temp gauge will fit right in place of that one, bear in mind you'll need a gauge and sender. If the gauge is connected to a sender meant for the new engine it could be reading wrong.

I fitted an engine guardian and its frightening how inaccurate the factory gauge is. Mine reads just under half whether its 60 or 90 degs.

Originally Posted by nedflanders

I fitted an engine guardian and its frightening how inaccurate the factory gauge is. Mine reads just under half whether its 60 or 90 degs.

Normalised gauge, if you're within the normal operating range it doesnt move.

Some of the old school systems do it with the sensors out put being shaped others shape the gauge.

Originally Posted by lebanon

Hi,

this is the reading I get when driving the 110 in summer



when going uphill the temperature dial reads this but never reaches any higher temperatures



The radiator has been cleaned and filled with a mixture of water and anti-freeze, a new thermostat was installed.

My 110 had its 2.5 swapped with a 4.2 while the 3 core radiator that served the old engine was kept.

Their is no coolant loss above the normal and the cylinder head were tested with no signs of problems in theme.

I have been told by the radiator workshop manager that radiators tend to lose their cooling capacities with time. (Mine is still the genuine one since 1990) I am not to inclined to believe that.
Also, I have been told that a 4 core is needed because of the larger capacity of the engine.

What do you think?

Your radiator workshop guy could be on the right track.

Just consider this though - did the temp indication change when you fitted the new thermostat? I've had varying indications from new thermostats. They don't all open at the same temp even though the printing on the box says they will.

The factory LR temp gauge is not considered to be a quality item or a reliable indicator.

I've got a thermo fan on mine and it never goes past half way, even on a hot day under load ... might be an option worth considering if your gauge readings are right

I would say ditch the crappy LR gauge and get a decent one like VDo etc. And I would also say that unless you have been removing and rodding your radiator every 2 years then there is a very good chance you are over due for a new one.

At what point does one replace a radiator? How old etc

Originally Posted by Fraz

At what point does one replace a radiator? How old etc

depends on design, material and service life. With the LR defender units out of the Tdi, they are on the small side. They apparently need rodding out every time you do a timing belt. That is, remove the rad, remove the ends of tanks and have the tubes cleaned out via a rod. You should also be flushing and replacing the coolant on a regular basis on these older vehicles. Use good quality coolant either pre mixed or use distilled/demineralised water with concentrate. My OEM rad lasted about 8 years before the guts went to crap. My Adrad replacement lasted about 3 before the fins corroded off......