Thread: hot v8

Assuming your radiator is good, replace the thermostat.
Mine ran at 100c+ basically all the time, electric fan always running. Replaced the thermostat, now it is never over 90.

Your nose isn't an accurate temperature gauge and neither is the dash gauge. It doesn't sound like it's actually running abnormally hot, just that you can smell either oil or coolant leaks on hot metal. If you really want to find out how hot your engine is running you need something like an engine watchdog. Example:

Engine Watchdog TM1 Temperature Sensor Gauge LOW Coolant Alarm Temp Recorder | eBay

Also try to stop the viscous fan with a rolled newspaper when the engine is hot... if it stops when you apply pressure on it replace it asap cos it doesnt lock and the cooling is affected

Originally Posted by mate

Hey guys somthing has been bothering me since I bought my disco2 3 weeks ago. Ive noticed the enging gets really hot very quickly. Once I start the car then drive it to the end of my streed 1km long the temp gauge is already at 1/2 way. It never gets any higher even when going through muddy black soil tracks on 4x4 trips but it smells hot and the heat the motor is emiting is strange to me.

Is this normal? I have started noticing more and more discos on the road now I own one and have to admit alot of them have heat effected paint on their bonnets

I hope its nothing major as im not rich

Interesting comments. I only purchase my 2000 V8 disco a couple of weeks ago. Its a weekend project for me to restore. Your comments about the engine getting hot quick and the smell is exactly what i am experiencing with mine.

As mine is a weekend garage project, ive given the car a good service and changed most of the fluids excpet for the coolant. Mine has a near new radiator in the last 6 months by previous owner, but im going to fit a new thermostat, and give it a flush just for my peace of mind.

As suggested by others, i think i might look into a seperate temp gauge for monitoring - do most have it attached to the engine block or actually monitor coolant temp?

In researching this i notive a bit of debate about using a lower temp thermostat as opposed to a genuine one.

What sort of thermostat are others running here? - would like to hear some feedback on this ....

the d2 warms up quick, i read once it was designed that way for british winter when you want the heater on asap

im running a lower therostat.
still warms up quick.


also, when the coolant hits 55 degrees (from memory), its shows as the needle as halfway.
so when it says its warm, its may still have 40 degrees to go. if that makes sense.

halfway on the needle can be anywhere between 55 and 115 degrees.

Agree with all of Eevo's comments.
The needle is basically useless, when mine ran at a steady 104 it was still half way...

I would also agree that you should get a test tool, I use a Nanocom personally. (You will likely want one for other diagnostics before long, and it could show issues you are not aware of)

I would buy the new thermostat through British Offroad if you are unsure of which you need, they only sell one - and it is the correct one. (Lower temp)

The gauge works as follows:
- up to 40*C close to the bottom
- between 40 -70 at quarter
- at 70 rises to the middle and stays there untill 120
- from 120 goes up to danger zone

so between 70 - 120 the gauge is on the middle and you can drive it hard and for long at 109*C without even knowing it... i'm saying 109 cos at 110 the electric coolin(aircon) fan kicks in to help cooling(so you might notice it if the fan doesnt work then on aircon request) it stops if the temp drops to 105.... at any time when the electric fan will be on after the ignition is off it's a sign that the coolant was above 110 then so time to investigate