Hey gang,

I am trying to resolve a cooling system issue, and I have run out of ideas, I am hoping you fine folks might have a few options for me.

Symptoms: In city driving temps of 108 c are observed from my Hawkeye.

Work Done so far: Stat replaced (confirmed working)
Cooling system flushed with thoro-flush
Clogged rad replaced (clogged with head sealer I think)
Fan clutch replaced
"Burped" the system totally.
Replaced the engine coolant temp sensor in case it was feeding bad data.

I tested the cooling system for exhaust gasses with that blue stuff that turns yellow (it remained bright blue), and the system doesn't seem to be accumulating any gas in the top rad tube. The hoses might feel a little bit hard, but I don't think there is exhaust gas in there as I have tested it. Kinda at a loss at this point. What should I try now?

 

Have you flushed the heater core?

 

What temperature thermostat did you use?
180 or 190?

 

Heater Core was flushed when I flushed the cooling system(by turning on the heat full blast), it blows nice and hot.

I am using the 180 degree soft spring thermostat.

thanks for your reply!

 

"The 180 degree soft spring thermostat" isn't a complete answer, brand actually makes a difference. If it is a Motorad for instance many have found them to be mislabeled and actually 190's. Another brand has a reputation for failing out of the box.

So did you buy an aftermarket 180, a genuine LR 180, or an OEM one? Is it black, grey, or white? They are all different.

 

I am going to an inline thermostat for this very reason^
Plus, you can get a replacement at any auto parts store.

 

Hey Dave,

I am using a black colored aftermarket 180 degree soft spring stat (brandless) I tested it with water prior to using it, and it was working well, I have also confirmed with an IR thermometer that it is indeed opening when it should be by testing the return hose to confirm its coming through the radiator. This problem was also seen with another new aftermarket 180 degree stat.

Thanks

 

I had a bad “180 thermostat” that wasn’t. Get a genuine 180 thermostat from lucky8.

 

doesn't matter whether you had the heater on or not. coolant flows through the heater coils at all times at full flow.

 

Sadly lucky8 doesn't ship to Canada and local supply of LR parts is pretty sparse. I don't think its a thermostat issue as this issue was present in two other thermostats including a genuine one.