Hi, I currently have a 2000 disco 2, 4.0L V8 w./117kms on the clock.
At the moment the dash is lit up like Vegas but the biggest problem is overheating. I can hear fluid gurgle when I first start her coming from the matrix. so,I've flushed out the system numerous times, but sound keeps coming back eventually. Recently the temp. guage for the 1st time is going to the red. It goes to the red thought abnormally. The engine is obviously cold but the light goes on and the needle goes right to the red and then drops to cold. light stays on all the time??No more warm air either. Ive driven around the block yesterday and after a few minutes the engine seems to vibrate a touch and the engine feels very weak, feels like its choking or starved of something. If anyone might be able to point me in the right direction on diagnosing this would be greatly appreciated.
Viscus fan is ok

 

It sounds like you have air in the system or your coolant temp sensor could be going out. Air in the system will cause the water fall sound behind the dash and if there is a pocket of air around the sensor then it will read in the red also until coolant hits it.

You could also have a bad Thermostat, or head gasket leak.

What does your oil look like?

 

And don't forget the ***** temp sensor, from the shop manual "If the engine coolant temperature gauge receives no input or the input is out of range the
temperature gauge will read cold and the high coolant temperature warning lamp will be illuminated."

But as already mentioned, you will be lucky if just a sensor.

 

Thanks for the replies, I hope its just a sensor indeed. last summer I had a bit of coolant under the passenger front door so i reckon the leak must be somewhere behind the matrix. I had a compression test done last week also and all seemed good there. Would a possible dodgy fuel pump be the cause to a shuttery engine. I thought I read somewhere once that fuel pump failure was associated to a overheat problem?? any thoughts??

 

You are grasping at straws man!

Fix one problem at a time and it will make more sense.

You need the codes read first off... otherwise you are working blind. Get yourself a code reader as it is unwise for you to drive this truck anywhere to get them read.

There are precise instructions on how to bleed the coolant without leaving air pockets, have you been elevating the overflow tank? it unhooks from its mount so you can lift it above the height of the bleed screw at the radiator T hose. Do this stone cold. Then run it, let it cool and repeat till the gushing noises go away.

 

I've been looking at buying a code reader alright. Would you have a good and affordable one you could recommend??

 

A lot of folks on this site use the Ultragauge, only available from their website. About $65 and reads live temp as well as codes and other data.

However there are some Android apps that work with a cheap OBDII dongle that plugs into a phone/laptop. These are all available on E-Bay.

The more expensive ones also read ABS codes, the above do not.