Here's the thing.

You have to get the CORRECT Thermostat. Which, if you want to play it 100% safe is the Grey PEL from Rimmer Bros. You have to make sure the MODEL NUMBER matches. Getting a motorad or any of these other after market non licensed 180 T-Stat is not worth it to save $30 bucks. If $30 bucks is gonna make or break you ... these aren't the right cars for you anymore.

 

 

According to Atlantic British they are all made in the same plant by the same company....

 

If I remember correctly the one you want is a grey 180 t stat. Its the same one they use on the diesel Freelanders I think. Have you made sure you bled the air out of the system? Also, you should say to hell with the Rover thermostats and install the motorad 180 thermostat. It's one of the best things you can do to keep this car cool.

 

Ditch it and do the bypass mod. You can run any temp thermostat you want, or no thermostat at all. No more air bleed issues, you can change thermostat or remove it without losing a drop of coolant. FYI, if you run a thermostat lower than 180 on an 03+ it will throw a low temp code, 99-02 you can run what you want. I run a 170 degree in all my older ones.

 

Get a new thermostat. Got my from Lucky8 and have been enjoying mid-180s on freeways ever since. 194F while idling.