New to FL and an overheating problem

[vonkprop]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and the Freelander. I recently bought a 1998 XEdi with 220,000 on the clock. Went from Launceston up to Devonport a few weeks ago to check it out. Had done some research and read about all the HG problems with the 1.8L petrol engine, but this is 2.0 diesel. Body is in very good shape. Interior a bit worn, but to be expected after 12 years. Did all the checks I could think of and was prompted to do by reading. Underneath looking for obvious leaks etc. All seemed OK. Thought about it for a couple of weeks and hummed and hawed, then bought it. I like it, my wife likes it.
Then on Monday I went up to fetch it and drive it the 100ks or so home. Went really well, no obvious problems. Seems to go really well. The only turbo I've had before was on a 1983 SAAB 900 and that was really lively. Also 2.0L but petrol and went like hell. This is nowhere near that being diesel, but I'm not looking for top speed, more economy and normal pulling power with the odd off-road excursion.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I get home, then do a few trips around town and find it's overheating... ho hum and boring.
Temp gauge not going above half to start with just a bit of steam when I stop and that lovely hot radiator smell, and then last night the temp guage goes out the top.
I've checked the oil, dip-stick and cap and that all seems to be clean and the car runs really well.
I have read a few related threads here but most seem to be related to the 1.8L petrol engine.
So now, I have to start to diagnosis procedure. Caps, tubes, thermostats etc. and go from the beginning.
I suppose I could race back there and demand my money back, but my attitude is, "hey this is a 12 year old car, find the problem and fix it properlyand then I'll get years of use"
I did all the repair and servicing on the SAAB, replaced clutches, harmonic balancers, diagnosed and repaired clutch master cylinder problems, brakes, suspension etc. The only thing I didn't do was take the engine itself out. So, my mechanical knowledge, with the help of these kind of forums is reasonable.
Any obvious pointers and start points?
Derek Elliot

[Scouse]

Start with the basics.
If it was fine on a run but overheating around town, start by checking the cooling fan(s). The airflow on a nice drive might be sufficient to cool but maybe pottering around town might not be.

Then maybe have the radiator checked/flushed.

[101RRS]

The XeDi does not have cooling issues from a design perspective so you have a fault most likely related to the age of the car. I had a small split in one of the front pipes that was difficult to find. I replaced the front piping system - about $100. Note that the original pipe is all one piece but new ones are all separate pipes with clamps and not glued together so if one piece gets damaged you only need to replace the one piece not the lot.

Look for all the usual bits in the cooling system.

Oh you said there was steam - where is that coming from? Start there.

The diesel is a great unit with few recurring issues.

Garry

[vonkprop]

My son and I had a go at this yesterday afternoon. Stood over it with the engine running and kept pouring water into it, waiting for it to warm up and/or water to **** out somewhere...
and sure enough it did - in the middle at the front between the engine and the radiator. A little pushing and pulling and digging found a hole in the top water hose at the back side of the top T joint.
It's one of the old(original) ones with the bonded joints rather than separate plastic Ts. I've ordered a new one - playing it safe at this point - because I believe that if I had to take it out and cut the T
out I could simply replace it with a plastic T and 3 clips and away I'd go.
Erred on the side of caution and bought a whole new unit (it's on it's way).
I'm new to this - LR that is - and sources of parts - sure I could probably get one cheaper online than the $154 form a local LR specialist.

[101RRS]

sure I could probably get one cheaper online than the $154 form a local LR specialist.

Being in Tas I guess can guess who you got it from.

I bought mine from the local Land Rover dealer for $112 and it is the new style with separate hoses with clamps and T pieces etc.

I suspect the one you get will be the old style one piece item.

The dealers are generally dearer but not always.

Garry

[vonkprop]

The part came last Monday. Was the new type with separate joints. Pulled the old one out and got the new one in - bit of swearing - I think whoever put it in previously had fitted the bottom clips from underneath and we were going in from the top - those clips are awkward if you don't have the right tool. Anyway, got it done with a bit of swearing. Did the bleeding - flying blind. And now it works perfectly.

[101RRS]

Did the bleeding - flying blind. And now it works perfectly.

You found the bleed screw on the heater hose near the firewall?

The new coolant hoses are sooo much better than the originals.

Garry