2004 Disco - Overheating after head gasket and ALL cooling components replaced
 

My 2004 Disco has 98k miles on it and is running hot after all cooling systems components were replaced. Listed below is what has been done to the vehicle:

New Radiator
Thermostat
Fan Clutch
AC Fan
All cooling hoses and pipes
Water Pump
Head Gasket

I just picked it up and according to my ODB gauge I am running about 217 on average. I can see the two fans running and no coolant is leaking, and I can also not smell any coolant. It is not completely overheating, but I know this is too high an operating temperature. I will be contacting the shop that did all this work (over 3k) but I would like some feedback on what else it could be. Thank you in advance for your help.

What thermostat did they install? Do a block check.

It was an OEM thermostat. I also needed to mention that I use DashCMD as my tool for checking the temp. I realize it may be off a few degrees, but before I was having overheating issues my truck ran in the upper 190's. They did an overnight pressure test and could not find any leaks in the engine. They tried all other componnents first before the head gasket was replaced.

Yeah do tell us which thermostat you are using. How is your engine oil? Is it low by chance or leaking? Just trying to start with the small more obvious things.

Keep us posted on how things turn out.

The oil does drip a little. It had an oil change when the head gasket was replaced. I'm not sure the model of thermostat, but they did tell me it was a land rover brand. In fact before doing the head gasket they told me they tried 5 thermostats as they were convinced that was the issue. The hoses, water pump, radiator were replaced as they showed leaks during the pressure test.

Maybe they didn't bleed it correctly.

That's my bet, too. Probably a very easy fix.

OP just be careful. Like someone else on here said the other day - the temp gauge only has 3 readings; cold, in the middle, and 'it's too late'... Regardless of whether or not you plan to take it back to the guys who couldn't get it right the first time, don't risk overheating it.

If I were you I would switch out your thermostats for this 180 degree TD5 thermostat. Read through various threads on this site alone and you will see how many owners stand behind this thermostat, Myself included. My engine temps went from 212 in city/197 highway down to 197 city and 188 highway and that was just after swapping out my old genuine LR thermostat. THERMOSTAT ASSY DII & FREELANDER 180 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, PEL500110, RNQ028 - Rovers North - Classic Land Rover Parts

If you decide to order it, wait until you get it than take the time to bleed the cooling system while your swapping out the other thermostat. This way you can make sure the bleeding was done correctly and if you do it yourself you wont have to pay for labor. Various owners myself included have found that if you CAREFULLY pick up the coolant expansion tank and hold it at an angle as high as it will go, it makes the bleeding job easier and pushes more air out of the plastic coolant bleed screw. Be very careful when working around any of those thin plastic cooling pipes because they are notorious for becoming brittle and snapping if you play with them to much. Ive snapped at least 3 pipes on my truck so far.....

Good luck mate and keep us posted.

Was the cap replaced, if it is not hplding preasure your temp will be high because the system is not preasuruzed