I don't know if I'm being overly cautious about this and there are no signs of engine/cooling problems but my 04' Discovery smells hot after running. It's not a smell of coolant. Maybe it's just the nature of the 4.6L/V8.

I'm probably overly concerned with the fragile HG issues and keeping up maintenance on cooling system to make sure it doesn't leak and overheat the block.

Anybody else experienced this? Is it normal?

 

antifreeze burning in the cats

soon below efficiency code will show up

change head gaskets

 

How long have you had the truck? Has it always had this? The 4.6 runs hot as hell anyway. Have you topped off coolant recently or spilled oil? Perhaps it's just burning off. Look around the engine to see if you find anything leaking or coolant dripping on the floor.

 

first you need to know if it is really running hot or not?
1. you need to check the temp with a OBII scanner.
2. check the coolant level.
3. preasure test your cooling system.
4. check the cutch fan.
5. check the aux./ condenser fan

 

I did just give an oil change but didn't spill any up in the engine compartment. I need to grab an OBD and see what temp it's running. I plan on doing a coolant flush soon and putting in the Motorad 180 thermo.

I don't notice that smell in my Audi's but those are 4 banger turbo's so I thought maybe it's normal. It's not really a burnt oil smell or coolant smell, just a hot smell if that makes sense.

I asked a friend if his BMW Suv has that hot smell and he said yes. I will keep being overly noyed with the Rover because of their tempermental natures though.

I take it you can't rely on the temp dash gauge? It's always been positioned right at 50% mark and does not stray from there.

 

Buy a ultra gauge factory temp only moves when its too late.

 

What is the operating temp supposed to be? I'm going to grab a OBD II tomorrow and see..

 

mine is always hot and stinky. i have new head gaskets, no leaks and my ultragauge usually reports temps from about 188 to 198 (normally around 195 in moderate traffic). Have seen it hit 203 when i restart the truck quickly and it was previously hot.

i am running the standard - not 180 - tstat.

 

I know this smell. Its called "Rover V8" lol. The Disco makes the smell, but its subtle. The RR omg, after a long road trip on a hot day, it smells like the industrial revolution. I've had the rangie almost 4 years now, its an annoying smell, but it hasn't overheated or had any other issues aside from smelling like an old radial aircraft engine. It used to smell like Yellowstone National Park before I fixed the differential pinion leak. It was spraying differential fluid all over the bottom of the exhaust, smelled awful.

A lot of big engines smell this way, as long as it runs fine, doesn't over heat or consume coolant and the valve covers don't leak, I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you keep your pets away from it .

 

Holy f^<<>%

Stop with the everything's a head gasket.. Geez you guys make people paranoid. I wonder how many head fakers have been changed for no reason..

It's normal... It's an aluminum block that radiates heat like a ****