P38 4.6 temp gauge

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Zeuspacha

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Stafford
Can anyone please put my mind at rest, paranoid about everything I read about overheating etc.

Have had my P38 now a couple of months with no issues and want to make sure this sounds right.

When the car heats up the temp gauge needle sits just slightly to the right of middle when sat in the normal driving position however if I move so that the gauge is directly in front of me it's seems bang on in the middle. If it is just right of the middle a fraction is this an issue?. Anyone else like this

Thanks

J
 
No issue in my mind...my P38 is slightly under 12 o'clock...my L322 is slightly over.

if it starts moving about under load...start worrying...

As with any Range Rover, always keep cooling system maintenance and fluid top notch.
 
Very grateful thanks. It gets to the position and doesn't move, but did have to top up the coolant yesterday but being honest I couldn't say whether it had been at the level it was from when I bought the car. Am I right in thinking there is some kind of phone app now that will monitor the temp which is more accurate?? Or have I dreamt that??

So worried about this head cracking and over heating issue I can't tell you, are there any real tell tail signs or is it just when the needle goes up into the read? And if it does go all wrong are we talking mega money, have heard figures of £600 for head gaskets?

Thanks again

J
 
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Zeuspacha said:
So worried about this head cracking and over heating issue I can't tell you, are there any real tell tail signs or is it just when the needle goes up into the read? And if it does go all wrong are we talking mega money, have heard figures of £600 for head gaskets?

Thanks again

J
Click to expand...

imo first sign is a misfire when starting from cold after standing overnight,h/g is least of worries liners are more likely.£600 not bad try owning a l322,just enjoy;)
 
Mine sits a fraction below 12 o'clock & never moves once up to temp so yours doesn't seem an issue.
£600 for HG's is not far off. I've replaced rad, waterpump, coolant as preventative maintenance to keep the cooling system tip top - I still had both HG's go a couple of years ago mind.:mad:
Biggest issue with overheating will be cylinder liners.
I was very paranoid with mine when i first got it but it's turning out to be very reliable lately. Just look after it & enjoy it
 
A touch before 12 o´clock .....

Why do you need to top up the coolant?

The system should not use any. (or, very very little over time).

BTW, you know that the gauge is weighted to stay in the middle until it overheats, then rushes across to the red?
 
Mine also sits just below centre.
I have the phone app Torque running on Android.
Last week on holiday to Cornwall towing a twin axle caravan, I used the app to monitor water temperature & other readings but mainly temperature.
Temperature ranged from 95 degree C on the flat upto 110 degree C on the long slow hills.
The temperature gauge never moved as far as I could see.
Cannot confirm how accurate Torque is.
 
Ive had 3 p38s and they all sat just below the 12o'clock! but I wouldn't worry until its obviously heading towards the red!
Youll know when its trying to overheat as the needle moves quite quick
 
The temperature "gauge" in a P38 is not a gauge in the traditional sense. When the car is warming up the the gauge will track the coolant temperature - as soon as the coolant temp has entered the "normal" operating temperature range, the "gauge" will sit in the middle, if the needle is slightly to the left or right this is merely a gauge manufacturing/calibration glitch - not an indication of a slightly warmer or cooler running temperature. When the temp goes above the normal range it will then go to three quarter position, there are then (IIRR) two further "gauge" positions:- overheating (in the red) and severe overheat - (red with flashing light)

Most modern cars are similar.

Fluctuating temperature gauges unnerve drivers but drivers don't like warning lights - so the manufacturers decided to keep the appearance of having a coolant temperature gauge but turn it into a operating range indicator.
 
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Thanks very much for info mind at rest!! Exceptvrear brake line has stung a leak right behind the wheel arch. Had it all off last night what a pig to get to!!!
 
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