Puma running hot or not?

[Lagerfan]

Our Puma 2.2 seems to be running a little on the hot side. We generally cruise around pretty loaded up on our various trips (bull bar, loaded roof rack, bikes, lots of gear) and in even modest 25 degree weather I see the CHT regularly hitting 97-98C climbing average hills and recently it got up to 101C briefly on the Hume at 105kph according to the UltraGauge. I believe limp mode kicks in at 105 and we’ve not hit any really hot weather yet. I’ve mentioned it to the dealer before and more recently a specialist when it went for its first service, neither seemed overly concerned and said not to worry about it but it has me worried as elevated temps are an engine killer right?

Perhaps something simple like a coolant flush would be a good start? It’s still running the original as we’re only at 18k on the clock, levels are all good. Failing that an upgraded intercooler seems to be a popular fix to bring the temps down in the Puma’s from what I can find, but as we’re still in warranty that doesn’t seem like a great idea, I can see LR disowning claims after major surgery like that. So what does the wisdom of this board think? Suck it and see or be proactive and do something now? Or am I just worrying unnecessarily? Honestly I’m in love with this car and want to look after it.

Cheers

[Dorian]

Lagerfan
Recently did a trip to Forster and back from Brisbane 600k-ish. Took 16ft boat, 2 kayaks on top of the Defer (2.2) and heaps of stuff. On the way down took it easy 95-100 on the highway, outside temps were in the high twenties, the ultra gauge sat between 96-102 ( it was only ever briefly above 100), I am not concerned as this is the head temp so the coolant should be a bit lower. On the way back was a bit short on time so always stayed at the speed limit and perhaps a bit more 110+, the outside temps were a little lower as we came home in the afternoon, motor temps stayed pretty much the same. I won't be too worried on the instrument cluster I don't reckon you can even see the difference.

Cheer Glen

[RVR110]

Seems consistent with readings from my ultra gauge. Since new my 2.2 (MY13) will sit anywhere between 88 and 98 degrees. The car currently has around 10k on the clock.

My 2.4 (MY11) used to consistently sit at 88-90 degrees. I assume that the higher temps on the 2.2 are due to squeezing the same performance out of a slightly smaller engine and/or the newer tuning map that Land Rover are using on the 2.2.

BTW, I like the 2.2's more intelligent approach to illuminating the glow plug light on the dash.

[Lagerfan]

Thanks for the reassurance and numbers for comparison guys. I'm sure in a previous thread folks were reporting max temps of low 90s etc. which is what got me thinking we were running on the hot side. I guess with the mix of 2.4/2.2/remaps/intercoolers/egr changes etc. out there it's hard to know when you're comparing apples with apples.

So now I've go no excuse to go out and get a new intercooler... :p

[pannawonica]

Towing my heavy trailer up hill after over taking a truck I hit 114 on the ultraguage and the engine derated, the instrument gauge showed normal!

[Lagerfan]

I've heard the stock gauge is not to be trusted! Out of interest when did it cut? At 114? I've read various numbers: 105, 108, but can't find anything that gives a precise value for the 2.2 going into safe mode.

[Summiitt]

My two bobs worth on this..The hotter you can get your motor to run without it boiling the better, the temp should fluctuate up to and above 100 degrees, but the thermo fans are normally set to come on at around 98 degrees..are you running the aircon? This can affect when the fans come on. I gross around 6-6.5 ton with a trailer on and in summer my fans are on all the time, have never boiled or gone into limp home mode, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
My trucks (semi's) in summer will run between 95 and 118 degrees, the trick is to always watch and listen, as the engine temps go up fan comes on and temps drop back to around 95ish...if it keeps going up, you've got a problem..

[camel_landy]

Our Puma 2.2 seems to be running a little on the hot side. We generally cruise around pretty loaded up on our various trips (bull bar, loaded roof rack, bikes, lots of gear) and in even modest 25 degree weather I see the CHT regularly hitting 97-98C climbing average hills and recently it got up to 101C briefly on the Hume at 105kph according to the UltraGauge. I believe limp mode kicks in at 105 and we’ve not hit any really hot weather yet. I’ve mentioned it to the dealer before and more recently a specialist when it went for its first service, neither seemed overly concerned and said not to worry about it but it has me worried as elevated temps are an engine killer right?

Those temps sound OK to me.

M

[pannawonica]

What I forgot to mention the ultra gauge was showing inlet temperature of 48c and I had the zircon flat out.:D

[Defender Mike]

Mine never goes above midway on the gauge except once when the hose clamp lent side of engine wore through the hose above and dropped most of the coolant on the freeway . It went into limp mode thankfully which brought this to my attention. Fixed on warranty but I have done a better job and inserted a rubber block between the hoses .
Mike

[lane]

I am not concerned as this is the head temp so the coolant should be a bit lower. Cheer Glen

Do you have any data to support this? Or is it because you are running an electric thermo fan? Just curious as in my experience, running both head and coolant temp gauges, the coolant heats up faster and peaks several degrees hotter than my head. It also cools down a lot faster though. I believe this is due to the fact that my D1 has a viscous hub that needs the heat from the radiator to cool at it's maximum efficiency so it has a quite a few seconds lag for the dispersed heat to lock the hub up and has the same effect (in reverse) when cooling. This is with a new rad and water pump whilst running penrite coolant.

Regards,
Lane