I just received my 180 degree thermostat from Lucky8 (original LR parts box) and am going to flush and refill with replacement. I haven't driven this thing much since purchasing about 2 months ago, since I don't know it's history and am a bit nervous to goof something up. I have an ultragauge and have only seen it rise to 208 when at idle before I shut it down. I've had the small hose coming from the expansion tank to just above the large top radiator hose blow off twice... once while driving for the first extended time (10 minutes) and once a few minutes after shutting down from another short drive... The plastic line has been replaced with hose. Is there supposed to be a clamp on the radiator end (there currently is not)

I know I haven't done all of the trouble shooting to completely diagnose this, but wondering if it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the radiator, since I'm gonna have it all torn apart anyway? Any direction would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance
thatbaldguy

 

D2 coolant lines/hoses are pressurized and require clamps on all nipples or fittings.
......

 

208 at idle is normal. Stock operating temps for these are around 190 F on the highway, 200 around town, and 210 at idle. The fan kicks in at 210. The 180deg stat will help reduce those temperatures of course.

 

you guys are freakin' brilliant! can't thank you enough. I'm gonna clamp that sucker, swap out the thermostat, flush the coolant (just for my own piece of mind) and we'll see what happens from there! again, thanks a ton!

 

Let us know the temp results after the 180deg stat, I'm interested in getting one soon.

 

Will do. I've been scared out of my mind to drive this thing and cook the engine over some stupid 80 dollar part (or in this case, a .99 hose clamp which they had at our little hardware store here in town) gonna drive it to get pizza and beer tonight (about 6 miles round trip... gotta love livin' on an island) and will report back on my findings. Really lookin' forward to being able to drive this (and so is my wife, more importantly)

 

Clamp that hose.
Period.

You over heat and you are toast.
Sleeves could slip