Raise the front of the truck up. Park upwards on a steep hill, truck running, open the bleed screw slowly, heat on.

 

Truck running, open the bleed screw?? Are you sure?

I've always thought it was truck off open bleed screw, then close it all up and give it a drive - cool it off, rinse and repeat.

 

I don't really open it while it's running anymore. I don't even bother with raising the nose. I do however remove the plug on the T to top off the coolant after I've let it idle up to 195F, then cool overnight. First thing I do is remove that T fitting and fill it until the coolant is right up to the top, and I fill the coolant jug as well. Then I let it idle to 195 once more, and let it cool overnight. After that I just top it off at that point (if needed and go for a drive). I've done that on several D2's after a thermostat change or coolant work and I haven't had any issues with air pockets or bubbles.

 

System is definitely bled at this point and the temps (I run an ultra-gauge) are stable and within a safe range. Wants to average about 205 driving around town (100 degree+ weather outside), will hit up to 210 if I'm stuck at a red light but fan kicks in won't go any higher. Long drive up the freeway and back got a range from 199-205, avg temp was 203.

These are all reasonable temps from what I gather but I used to avg 188-192 on the highway and about 195 around town before I switched the thermostat (I'm tempted to put the old one back on...).

My next move is to eat the cost of the Motorad and invest the $80 needed to get the genuine LR 180 t-stat. I'll post an update when I do.

 

You have to be careful with the generic's. They'll be labeled 180F units but really their 190F units. Thats why at least with the OEM LR Grey unit you know without a shadow of a doubt that what you've got is a 180F unit.

I bought a 12.00 thermostat on Ebay (made in Germany vs China) with free shipping as an experiment. I slapped it into my 99 D2 and the temps were 195-205 range. Figured I had myself a 190F unit so I bought the OEM Grey unit and I'm now in the 188-195F range with sitting in traffic at around 200F tops.

 

Maybe your lucky day? This was posted in the classifieds...

https://landroverforums.com/forum/pr...at-grey-80812/

 

Yeah I agree with you, may have to eat the cost. Those Motorads used to be rock solid, but their recent reviews have scared me off too - sorry about the bad experience.

 

Yes.


I have a steep grassy hill behind my house. I use(d) the hill to bleed mine.


I park upwards, turn on the heat. With the truck running, I slowly open the screw until some air or fluid come out.

Don't open the thing up so fluid sprays everywhere, be gentle.


Squeeze your hoses...etc.


I usually run around 195-199 via ultra gauge. Everything stock except green coolant and I flush it every year or two...I actually change all my fluids every year or two except the oil. That gets done every 3-4000.


Is there a huge issue with opening the screw when its running?

 

Oh I see. No issue at all, it's just one time I did that the fluid went shot straight up haha, like you said.

 

Yea...I actually let it weep a bit before I tighten it back up.

In Apr I redid the fuel injectors, but before that, I hadn't bled it in over a year, it was very steady too. 195-199.