Have you replaced the thermostat (with a 180F one)? With all the work, it is possible to have gunk float around in the coolant system and by gravity end up on these little holes in the top of the stat. Block the flow thru these holes and the stat will operate at higher temp, even with a new rad. Maybe take stat off and clean out? Test stat in pan of hot water?

 

Hi Savannah,
Looks like a new 180 stat is in my future.
'I just wish I could drain all the coolant neatly without it making a mess.
I fixed the rover in a parking lot - and man did it make a mess.

I did put in a new thermostat in March 2012 in Boulder, CO in the parking lot when the head gaskets were changed..

I gotta say-

The radiator is fairly easy to get out if one knows how.
The easiest way is pull the horns, pull out the mounts,
disconnect the oil and trans lines and it will come right out.

Taking the rest of the mounting hardware off in situ - is pretty hard.

Actually, the design of the radiator is really elegant.
Just wish I would have caught on and spent 2 hours instead of 8 in three different time slots..

Oh well.

Can you suggest a 180 degree thermostat source??

As usual - thanks.

 

Amazon for a Motorad: (currently out of stock) or Lucky 8 for the OEM version which has a lighter bypass spring. BP of Utah also has the OEM one, as does Rovers North
THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY DISCOVERY II & DEFENDER Td5, RND564, PEM100990 - Land Rover Parts | Rovers North and Atlantic British:
Land Rover Parts, Accessories and Information The Rover's North one looks alot fuzzier than the others. Perhaps it comes in a suede finish.

 

Also, a cautionary tale: https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...y-disco-54355/

 

That RN one is the 190 degree one, the 180 is here - genuine - Product Details - Land Rover Parts | Rovers North

It actually looks just like the image, black and white with fuzzy lines for better heat dissipation.

 

Better photo now?
Product Details - Land Rover Parts | Rovers North

 

Guys,
Can't thank you enough for all the comments!!!!!!

Taking your advice.
Going with a 180 degree thermostat.

I probably got some crap thermostat in there from British Pacific that was made in China or such.
I can't remember if it was Land Rover OEM or what it was.

I was too busy with head gaskets when I replaced the thermostat.
Well with gas at $4.50 for premium in San Diego - I am not so happy with that.

But, the front grille is back on.
The rover no longer looks like a shark with the mouth open.

Wife got a horrible stare from someone who saw the grille off in a shopping centre.

 

Good 04duxlr
Land Rover Forums - Land Rover Enthusiast Forum - View Profile: 04duxlr

Thanks for all the looking up of the thermostat links.
That was a good help to me.
Thanks!

 

Drowssap,
How could the fan blades be in backwards?
That is an interesting idea.
The truck only overheats when it is idling.

Well, here is an update:

The 180 degree thermostat from Rovers north - about $75 or so came in a nice Rover white and green official parts box.

Removed the old thermostat and tried to save as much antifreeze as possible.
Did not want to spend $15 again on a new bottle for dumping antifreeze out.

Made sure PUMP fitting went to water pump.
Noted my new soft spring 180 degree stat had a jiggle pin in it and it giggled.

Noted my light brown or tan cased old thermostat also had a giggle pin in it and that one giggled still too.

This 180 degree stat did improve things.

I can run the truck at a standstill at 2,200 rpm and it stays at 194 exactly for minutes.

Not much road testing yet - seem to run 196 or so.

The irritating OLD BEHAVIOR was when I pulled off of an interstate and into parking lot at work - I had the AUX fan running about 3 minutes after I was off of the freeway / motorway.

Well now --- I can idle in a parking lot for 5 minutes and the temps go to 203 and finally stopped at 205.

THAT'S BETTER.

Used to go to 208 - 210 then AUX fan came on and kept it at 210 - 212.

So, I may be 5 to 7 degrees lower now at idle.
We shall see.

This is after
1) New fan clutch
2) New Radiator
3) finally - drum roll: new 180 degree stat.

Should always do the stat first.

The old stat - I got from British pacific - it was one year old.
Tossed it in the garbage.

Did not look bad or plugged - but who knows where it came from.
I don't remember if if shipped in a rover box or not.

So, tomorrow in the hotter daytime we shall see.
I am sure I will hit 210 in the summer still

I really do feel like if I had a water pump with fatter impellers, i would pump just a little but more and be OK.

But, maybe this stat opening up faster is doing that for me too.
We will see

Glad that after all this the aux fan FINALLY stayed OFF.

 

Noted on the ride to work--

Finally off the highway and idling by the curb.

At 400 RPM which is where my rover idles - temps will rise with the new soft spring thermostat up to 206 even 208 degrees F today.
The temps go up in a lazy slow way now.

I increased the idle to 600 RPM by riding the gas pedal.

Temps slowly dropped to 205 and then 204.

I put on the A/C for grins - the temp then dropped like a rock to 199 degrees F in about 20 seconds.

Guessing the A/C increases the idle.
And, the aux fan comes on too.

Thinking if my fan clutch had just a little more bite.
almost thinking of tampering with the temp spring.
I would need to tighten it.
I'll probably break the mechanism, so I will not touch the clutch fan..
It is brand new.

Or else - I have fresh air entering the fan from unknown locations which cool the fan clutch and I don't get enough temp to cause the fan clutch to bite and run the fan at an effective RPM at idle.