My 2002 disco overheated. radiator felt cold. Replaced the T-stat. now the engine is not overheating but the radiator is cold everywhere. i bleed the system by the book, heater blows hot and temp gage is OK. I even back flushed the radiator. Only 60k miles, can't imagine that the radiator is so plugged that it remains cold all over. What could be wrong. I did a block test and fluid stayed blue so i know don't have a blown head gasket or head.
Thanks for any knowledgeable tech advise.

 

If its not overheating anymore than what is the problem? These trks have huge radiators so that they dont overheat when you are off-roading.

 

I would get it to a radiator shop, have them do a flow test to see what the broblem is, don't go to a dealer, or you will pay dearly and probably not get it corrected.

 

What about the hoses going to and comming out of the rad ??? if these are warm going in and not as warm coming out, and the vehicle doesn't show any signs of overheating, then I don't see a problem either.

 

I worry about people who think a cold radiator in any car is good when the engine is at operating temp.
Just for what it is worth, this is like a RED FLAG, issue.

 

You know what, Mike is absolutely right. Now that I think of it, I have a brand new custom made rad, and my Disco has never overheated. When on normal operating temperature, the rad hoses going in and coming out are hot beyond touch. I mean that should you leave your fingers on there for just a few seconds, you would most likely leave your fingerprints.....this information is not intended to encourage anyone to commit any crime now you hear

 

Radiator hoses are hot...but depending on where you touch on the radiator it may not be hot...after all, a large section of the radiator is comprised of FINS that disappate the heat from the tubing that the coolant is running through. If you could actually reach through the fins and touch the tubing, I'm sure it'd be hot as hell, but if you touch the fins...probably not hot at all.

Personally I've never heard of touching the radiator as any kind of test...in the shade-tree mechanic world we just grab the upper radiator hose when the rig is up to operating temperature...squeeze her to feel if there is fluid inside, if it feels hot and you've got fluid and she's not overheating, that says your thermo-stat be working...and I couldn't imagine where there'd be a problem.

 

You're right about the fact that I can only vouch for the hoses, since I never had an interest nor a reason to put my hand on the rad to see if it was hot or not.

 

also most modern radiators are covered by the fan-shroud on the top and the grill on the front...so actually "touching" a radiator would be a semi-difficult task

I wonder if he means the fill reservoir?

 

Not to mention how long has the trk been running, if it was only running long enough to move the temp gauge the radiator wont be hot, it would have to be running for a long time. And I too have never had a inclining to touch a radiator.
If its not overheating I just dont see the problem.