Hello everybody. I have had my Disco I for 12 years, and 210k miles. It still runs like the day I bought it. However, I am at the limits of my experience with the cooling system.
I have put in a new water pump, fan clutch, and thermostat. But still she is getting hot. Sometimes I can run for an hour and the temperature is fine. And then sometimes I can run for 20 minutes and the temp will climb.
Any ideas where I should begin?
I can tell you I am not leaking coolant and the coolant is circulating through the radiator.
I have seen coolant temperature sensors and condensor fan switches mentionedon other posts. Is there anyway to check these for function?
Please help

 

Hello!
First: Be sure to post in the 200k miles or more club!
Second: Describe more when she gets hot. Is it city driving? With or without a/c on? Interstate driving? With or without a/c on?
Have you checked to see if you have a head gasket leak? You can buy a test kit for around $50.00 at auto zone.

 

No long trips since all this began about a year and a half ago. Mainly the trips I am seeing the temp problem are when I drive for 10 minutes stop and go, and 10 minutes highway speeds. The temp will start climbing then.

 

And running the a/c all the time...

 

Unless you've cleaned it recently pull your radiator out and look at the back side. I bet you'll be surprised at how clogged the fins are.
It's probably clogged inside also, at that age and mileage. You likely need to get it rodded, of course the problem with that is the crud in the radiator often blocks any leaks. But take it to a radiator shop and get their opinion on it.

This all assumes your A/C fans are working correctly. If it also overheats without running the A/C, then that points to your radiator.

 

Tom, is there a way to clean the fins without draining the system and pulling the radiator? I am replacing my stat tonight and if there is a way to do this easily I would appreciate it. I am still total noobie and nervous about damaging my rad.

 

Both a/c fans run when I turn a/c on.
I squeeze the upper hose leading to the thermostat with the reservoir cap off and can see the rush of coolant enter the reservoir, so I assume the radiator is not clogged or needing to be rodded.
Am I wrong in that assumption? I figured the reservoir provides coolant to the bottom of the radiator and the coolant cycles through it and out the upper hose.
But now I question myself.
If there is a head gasket leak, I figured there would not be an issue as long as there was coolant in the system.
I am starting to question that logic as well.

 

the best way to tell is to take it to a radiator shop and have them check the flow.
squeezing the hose isnt a good indicator

 

WOW! 200K, congrats.

For some pretty cheap money you can replace your radiator and thermostat.

typically idle, stop and go issues are a matter of airflow through your radiator, and the effciency of your radiator.

Is your fan shroud good? What about your fan clutch? Can you hear your fan, huge roar?

 

Sounds perfect. No strange noises. Runs like a top.