Thanks for the replies. May sound ridiculous but seeing as I’m not as mechanically minded as I am paint and body, what’s the best way to check the thermostat? If it’s stuck open then the hoses on the radiator will get progressively warm? Or is it a case of take it out and make sure it’s not stuck and it’s as simple as that?
Cheers
The best way is to spend 7 quid on a new one, there are two types, winter and summer, from memory its 70 odd degrees and 82 or something like that, its up to you which one you fit, I go with winter ones as I don't really do any driving that gets my engine hot in the summer. Don't buy brit part, bearmacvh or any of that rubbish, try land rover for genuine or buy OEM from a motor factors, this is an important part believe it or not, don't cheap out on it.
You will be taking the housing apart anyway to test the old one, just fit a new one and save your self some pain.
Flush out the cooling system, Google back flushing, you may well be able to do this with the stat housing apart, back flush out the heater matrix, when the system is drained down remove the fan belt and check the water pump for play or any strange noises by hand spinning it.