Thread: High engine temp V8

I find running that high unacceptable. I blew head gaskets, softened heads and dropped liners when I peaked at 104 while on a trip.

New rad, water wetter and coolant and cooler thermostat with soft bypass spring and it sits on 87 constantly now.

Yes those temps are real world, bonnet down sitting in Drive etc. I put some coolant additive in (equivalent to water wetter) didn't make any real difference yet, but I've only just put it in. I've been watching the readout on the Nanocom for a while and it goes a bit like this. Stopped or slow moving temp creeps to 105-106c, viscus fan cuts in, accelerate and it roars away temp drops quickly to 100-102c and maintains it there while cruising. If I give it a thrashing it may even go as low as 98c. So it seems the harder I drive it the cooler it gets. I may try to borrow my folks van and take it for a test tow for a hour or so and see how it goes. I'm 100% confident it's the thermostat that maintains the higher temps.

But the LR specialists guys seem to be reluctant to experiment with thermostats, sighting it's in normal range. I've read that the temp gauge doesn't move off half way until approx 115c and turns on the red led at 121c and off at 118c.

I've read some guys have gone to a softer spring stat but in some cases has had the opposite effect, the harder you drive it the hotter it gets. I guess it won't hurt to experiment with a different thermostat.

Jerry which thermostat are you running?

Craig

Hi Craig,

I have the standard unit in place. It opens at around 96C, then there is a dramatic temp drop. I do have the other type here but have not installed it as there appears to be no reason too

That Viscous fan coming on at 105/6c sounds far too late to me, but I'm no expert. On top of that, only coming down to 100ish, then that is still too hot.

I'll check tomorrow at what temp my fan comes on, I have Hawkeye.

Did they check the water pump was doing what it's meant to do, and no air lock?

Will get back to you with my figures.

Cheers, Jerry

It's a brand new viscus fan. Problem is they say it's normal. I asked if the water pump gives trouble and they say they either leak or they don't. Maybe it's just this thermostat. I've looked broadly at forums from the USA and they all talk about similar operating temps. I think I may need to try to experiment with different thermostats.

Cheers

Craig

Convinced its probably the thermostat I had a close look at it today and it's a non-genuine stat. I've contacted my local LR dealer who has a genuine one in stock, so I'm going to grab that tomorrow and swap the stats out. See how it goes.... Fingers crossed!

HI,

I hope it works.

Right my figures today as promised. This morning at an ambient temp of 26c:

Viscous fan came on at 48c Never checked before, so a bit surprised.

Highest temp reached in a 20klm drive was 92c. that was at a standstill, lowest and at a steady 87c when driving.

So we had a hot day today so at 2pm I checked again. Ambient temp 36c.

No difference in the running temps all the same. A/C struggled a bit though and the car external temp gauge was ready 40c at one stage.

Not sure about humidity but it would of been high.

As stated I hope the change of thermo does it for you, as there seems to be an issue....Good luck

Cheers Jerry

You'd have to be happy with that Jerry

I take extra note of the ambient to rad differences. Good to know the extra external temp doesn't add to the rad temp.

Well I put the genuine thermostat in today and success ! Now sits around 92c when driving (not 103c). I sat in Drive with a/c on idling for 10 min with A/C on max it went no higher than 97.5c (not 107c). Looks like the calibration of the other stat was out.
Thanks for all the temp figures Jerry, I appreciate it.
Cheers

Craig