I am curious what others thoughts and experiences are with the LR3 4.4 engine temps. So the OEM thermostat opens at 190 degrees but I have noticed that in stop and go traffic on a hot day (a/c on) that the temp will creep up to 224. I am reading the engine temp through a scangauge so there could be some discrepancy. The dash temp gauge sits solidly in the middle as always. The engine behaves normally and I know the radiator on these is pretty stout but I am curious if anyone has done any upgrades to the cooling system and how they have worked out.

 

224 is normal.

 

I am not trying to argue here but if 224 is normal why have I only seen the engine reach this temp once? 203-214 has been the normal operating range I have observed.

 

Because physics.

 

Helpful as always.

 

Well you are asking a bit of a silly question as to why engine temp would climb such a small amount in stop and go traffic. There is only so much cooling capacity in an engine. T-stats don't open, per say, they expand open based on temperature. So when cold, they are pretty much closed off and your engine runs on a loop of coolant internally. As temps climb, the t-stat begins to open allowing the much colder coolant form the radiator to enter. Eventually, if temps rise enough, the t-stat is in a fully expanded/open state and now ALL the coolant is being circulated. But if you are not moving, the entire system begins to heat up a bit more than average. Secondary systems also kick in, such as the electronically controlled fan. There is no set/exact temp for an engine operating in all circumstances.

Its no different than something like central air or a window AC unit. People *think* they can get air to any temperature, not true. They can only drop air cycling through a certain number of degrees. Meaning while it may be set to 68 degrees, if its 110 in the room the AC will only be able to output bit air at 95 degrees until enough air volume is cooled to finally get down to the set temperature.

 

Let me rephrase- has anyone had any experience with the larger core radiators available or running a quality auxiliary electric fan since the engine temps will rise while idling and this is when the OEM fan is the least efficient. I realize that there may be limited experience with this since it is not an problem per say but I am curious.