P38 overheating

I recently purchased my first Range Rover and I am having a little trouble keeping it on the road. Last night, for example, I let it idle for an hour and a half while i checked some things out. Not a hitch! drove it approximately 20 miles and no trouble at all. Watched the temp gauge the whole way and it was dead center on the gauge. Pulled into my driveway and the temp shot up and steam flooded out from under the hood. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I've replaced the radiator, coolant overflow tank and cap, and heater core.

Check the small hose from the expansion tank aint blocked... and get a sniff test

take it back .you can check rads ok ,hot all over core surface ,thermostats opening by feeling pipe after it ,could be cracked block behind liner takes time for heat to open crack and gases to pressurise sytem might be the reason it was sold blocks cost £1000ish to fix problem if its the case

I forgot to mention my check engine light is on , too. Bought a code reader and it says mass air flow sensor and insufficient coolant temp for closed loop fuel control. Are either of those a potential reason for the overheating? Going to check the hoses mentioned earlier and what is a sniff test?

Thanks for the replies.

@Jamesmartin. I don't see any leaks except for the drips from the reservoir after it overheats. Any tests or checks to see if the block is cracked?

Sniff test to check for CO2 in coolant system

fyne1 said:

Sniff test to check for CO2 in coolant system

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What smell should I be looking for? From the reservoir?

co2

I think I have it solved! I found out I didn't have the failsafe thermostat. I installed one and it seems fine after a short highway drive. Thanks for all the replies!

Failsafe thermostat?

Derek Ward said:

Failsafe thermostat?

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That may have been the brand name but the one on the front of the engine block. I took the hose off and there was a metal gasket there but no thermostat under the housing. I put one in and she ran perfectly!

J_DREAD-616 said:

That may have been the brand name but the one on the front of the engine block. I took the hose off and there was a metal gasket there but no thermostat under the housing. I put one in and she ran perfectly!

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I would expect the thermostat to have been removed to try to alleviate overheating problems. I'm a bit surprised that putting one is has fixed it...

kooky_guy said:

I would expect the thermostat to have been removed to try to alleviate overheating problems. I'm a bit surprised that putting one is has fixed it...

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Bought it from a woman in Michigan here in the U.S. Maybe someone removed it due to the lower year round temps? I have wanted a Land Rover since I was a kid. Finally got one and I love it so far. I hope it stays that way! Seems to be a lot of issues onthe forum!

J_DREAD-616 said:

Bought it from a woman in Michigan here in the U.S. Maybe someone removed it due to the lower year round temps? I have wanted a Land Rover since I was a kid. Finally got one and I love it so far. I hope it stays that way! Seems to be a lot of issues onthe forum!

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All part of the joy of ownership!

kooky_guy said:

All part of the joy of ownership!

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Right on!

Id suggest take it for that 20 mile drive again. can't believe putting a thermostat in will stop overheating. Can believe it takes 20 miles for it to get up to temperature without one.

Good luck

jonbill said:

Id suggest take it for that 20 mile drive again. can't believe putting a thermostat in will stop overheating. Can believe it takes 20 miles for it to get up to temperature without one.

Good luck

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It got to temp properly, it just overheated after a while all but out of nowhere sometimes.

Did just repeat the drive and now it won't start! I may have locked the security system. Trying t figure that out now.