I think this is a good point. I think mine runs somewhere around 212F even in fairly cold weather. By fairly cold, I mean for where I live in the northeast, it gets down to -15 or -20 on rare occasion. I think I checked mine when it was around 15-20 above zero and it was somewhere around 210, if I remember right. It worried me too, but I never had any real trouble with it. So eventually I just forgot about it.
If you are going to replace the thermostat, you should hang on to the old one and hollow it out. That way, if you suspect a thermostat problem, you can always throw that one in and see if it still runs hot. Also, it's nice to have a hollow one around for cooling system flushes.

 

That's a good tip on the hollowed-out thermostat, will definitely do that.

So, I ordered the gray high-flow T-stat from Lucky 8, flushed the system again, installed the t-stat and a bottle of Watter Wetter... MOST of the time the temp is a few degrees lower, but it still creeps up to 208-210 at long stop lights and in the 203-205 range when I'm at highway speeds for more than a couple of minutes.

The only thing I can think of is that maybe there is some gunk really lodged into the passages on the radiator that I didn't see with the scope, and isn't getting cleared out by the chemical flush.

When I replaced the water pump, the old gasket was literally falling apart in chunks. There's a chance it could be bits of the old gasket clogging it up.

Going to pull the radiator and swap it out with my other DII, see if that helps.

-Tim

 

I don't know man, I swear mine runs that hot and the inside of my engine (the last time I had it apart) looks new and shiny! What I can see inside the radiator looks good, I can't honestly say I've broken it open though. lol.

 

First things first.
Take the Motorrad thermostat out.
Get a hammer. Smash it into a pulp and put it into the recycle.

1) Get a grey Land Rover Discovery soft spring 180 degree tstat in the real Land Rover Box.

2) Replace the Radiator with a brand New Nissens from Rockauto.com

3) Replace the fan/fan clutch.

Then BE HAPPY.
All fixed.

Will not over heat or heat up at idle now.

 

yuh that it, once you replace the complete cooling system; then you will be happy

 

Worked for me.
And replacing all three - the trifecta is ALL that worked.
I never had the AUX fan come on IN THE WINTER
in a parking lot again.

Not wise to be pennywise
and pound foolish.

Engine is a terrible thing to overheat and replace..


Radiator $230.
T-stat $70
Fan and clutch $200..

new engine - $4000
Installation $1500?

Or more?

To each their own.
I choose my misery up front.

Replacing this stuff is money in the bank
and insurance.

 

Do all this and you're good for another 3,000 miles!

 

^ lmao