Defender 2.2 engine temperature in winter

[inken_dave]

Hi all
Just wanting to know what other 2.2 Defender owners observe with engine temperature during winter. Yesterday for example, OAT was -3 degrees. After taking time to warm up driving on the road, everything is normal. However arriving at my parents property, opening the front gate, and then driving around the paddock, the temp gauge heads south. The heater becomes less efficient etc. The gauge would be at a 1/4 and dropping. OAT was -5.

It seems the the thermostat is not closing. My reason for asking is that the Defender has always been like this. If I were to let it idle from startup, it would never get hot. Even in summer it would take time. Always needs to be driven to get to temperature.

Personal observations welcome!

[trout1105]

What you are describing does sound like the thermostat is faulty.

[dromader driver]

5 minutes of wandering around the paddock doing jobs usually sees the temp guage coming up and the heater warming up if it is on. Think the thermostat is stuffed. make sure fan is not siezed as that will also keep the temp down.

[Tote]

Mine is slow to warm up on frosty mornings if left to idle. A bit of boost quickly warms things up to operating temp but it would never get to warm up if left to idle. Never had the needle going south once warmed up though.

Regards,
Tote