Thread: deefer td5 coolant issue - blockage???

midweek, I noticed a power drop in my td5 defender, at which point the temp gauge was on red.


Checking coolant levels there was no coolant in the expansion tank and it took 4 litres water to get to level.


I took it to the landrover repair shop they had a look over test drive etc and said couldn't find any issues, no sign of overheating for them or anything.


I decided to drain the coolant system so that I could get it back to the right concentration.
Upon doing so only 4 litres of coolant was able to be drained, and upon topping back up again only 4 litres until it reached the level.
Surely with a total capacity of 13 litres and according to what I've read a drain/refill amount of 8 litres, something is wrong here??


Another thing I noticed the hose at the bottom of the rad with the drain screw through which I drained the coolant did not seem to be hot after topping back up and running the engine to temperature, although the thinner hose running alongside it was hot.


any help appreciated guys

Originally Posted by sierrafery

Seems like blocked thermostat to me

Unless there's a reason for the car to develop an air lock, that would be my guess too. Any other restriction would be likely to develop over time. Having said that, my Disco did much the same thing, and it was a head gasket.