New to forum. New to Land Rover. I just bought a 2007 LR3 HSE. I've noticed that the engine compartment stays pretty warm for hours after we drive it. My wife drives about 15 miles to work and 15 miles back so it's not a long drive, but I've noticed even 3 hours after its been driven its still significantly warm. I know this is common and by design in BMWs but should this be happening in my LR? Temp gauge reads fine while driving. Any help would be great. Thank you.

 

Would think that since older Rovers have gauges designed to show "normal" for a very wide heat range, you might want to use a scanner that can read live data and view coolant temp at the OBDII port. Just in case you are running hotter than you like. While I made a brief pass thu the shop manual, I did not see the spec for cooling fans after engine shutdown, but I suspect it is here, and that if quite hot ten seconds after shutdown fan would come on to cool things down. The shop manual says maximum cooling flow to the radiator happens at 203F. So if SWMBO is sporting about at 227F, that might be an undetected issue.

 

I have never heard my fan run after engine shutdown, never... I live in TX.. Wow, these mouseover pop up ads are out of control..

The engine bay is fairly well insulated / sealed up, so it holds the heat quite well, do not be too concerned with it.

 

Water pumps and thermostats can leak on these. Also I think there was a TSB on the coolant level sensor not working. You might eyeball the reservoir and make sure you aren't low on coolant.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned if it wasn't that I can feel the heat when I place my hand on the hood. I did look at the coolant and level is fine, although I think the sensor is likely bad as I get a low coolant message. Do you think a scan as Buzz suggested is necessary? I'd hate to go to the dealer. $$$$ or do you think it's just designed that way to keep the block from swinging in temp too much? That was my initial thought. Anyone else notice that their LR3 stays warm? Or is this just me? First high end vehicle I have owned.

 

Don't go to the dealer. Stop by a parts store for a free code read with one of their high end scanners and let them show you the live data display function. There are 69 dollar scanners (Ultra Gauge) , and a cheap OBDII to bluetooth adapter for use with an Android cheap app to disaplay all sorts of things.

 

They stay warm for a good ling time. The engine bay is pretty well sealed up at the top, and that's where the heat likes to go.

There is no aux/condenser fan at all on this model, so no fan will stay on after shut down.

 

Ok I will definitely get a scan on it just go check things out. Thanks for all the advice. Do you guys think that a bad coolant sensor will have any adverse effect?

 

The ECU takes the coolant temp signal and computes the fuel to be squirted by injectors (along with many other sensors). On my 97, if you unplug the engine coolant temp (ECT) sensor, the ECU shows -40F as coolant temp. It will supply extra fuel in an attempt to warm up the vehilcle. So idle will be high and it will run rich. Same in many Detroit models.

When using a scanner, the values shown have to make sense. If normal coolant temp is stated as 190-203, and you see 150, or 250. then something is wrong. Usually sensors produces values that change, like O2 sensors. If they are not changing, that can be a problem as well. A scanner helps a skilled diagnostician evaluate a vehicle. Some mechanics and parts store guys just read the code and throw a part at it. Fine, if the owner has the same salary as a major league pitcher.

 

The coolant level sensor shouldn't cause any issues other than you getting or not getting a warning.

The coolant temp sensor would be much more important if it went bad.