Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #1

My 300tdi defender is running slightly hot, about a quarter before the red. It also gets to temperature very quickly, within a couple of miles. It never gets to the red but I definitely dont want to keep running it hot. Just looking for some ideas before I start digging into it properly. Thanks.

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #2

feel the rad core all over see if it gets hot everywhere

 

Gmacz

Well-Known Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #3

Temp sensors are cheap to replace and give problems if the above is OK.

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #4

jamesmartin said:

feel the rad core all over see if it gets hot everywhere

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Thanks I'll give that a go. Easier say than done with a full width intercooler though.

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #5

Wilddog4x4 said:

Thanks I'll give that a go. Easier say than done with a full width intercooler though.

Click to expand...

try the other side engine off obviously

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #6

jamesmartin said:

try the other side engine off obviously

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I've got to change my power steering pump so I'll be taking the fan of then, should give me good access.

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #7

New fault/existing fault?
Last 300 I did that was getting hot quickly was head gasket.

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 2, 2020

• #8

lynall said:

New fault/existing fault?
Last 300 I did that was getting hot quickly was head gasket.

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Hope not I've had the head off twice in the last year. It's been a issue for a while so dont think it's head related.

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #9

If its getting hot within a couple of miles I cannot see it being a rad issue, could still be head issue, ie cracked

Have you,
Removed and checked the water pump? ie impellor tight on shaft
Removed and tested the stat?

Are you getting heat out of the heater?

Is it using coolant?

Is car genuine 300 or a retrofit? wondering is hoses etc correct?

My experience with pretty much all older land rover diesels is they take 3 to 5 miles minimum to get hot enough to open the stat.

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #10

lynall said:

If its getting hot within a couple of miles I cannot see it being a rad issue, could still be head issue, ie cracked

Have you,
Removed and checked the water pump? ie impellor tight on shaft
Removed and tested the stat?

Are you getting heat out of the heater?

Is it using coolant?

Is car genuine 300 or a retrofit? wondering is hoses etc correct?

My experience with pretty much all older land rover diesels is they take 3 to 5 miles minimum to get hot enough to open the stat.

Click to expand...

Haven't checked the pump or thermostat yet so I'll definitely take a look. Hater is working fine, no coolant use, and it's a factory 300tdi.

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #11

Apologies for the bad quality photo, but that just came out the front of my radiator, looks like the fins have corroded. Not sure it will solve the getting up to temperature too quickly problem but replacing it should help with running cooler.

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #12

Maybe just maybe thats fooked

 

Dragonwalker

Well-Known Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #13

lynall said:

Maybe just maybe thats fooked

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Dunt leak it's fine.

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #14

Dragonwalker said:

Dunt leak it's fine.

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Tbf I have seen rads with no fins left at all, still doing their job.

 

Dragonwalker

Well-Known Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #15

lynall said:

Tbf I have seen rads with no fins left at all, still doing their job.

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Might as well take it out and back flush it.

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #16

Anybody have any recommendations for a new radiator?

 

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #17

it needs replacing whether its the total problem or not,

 

Wilddog4x4

Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #18

jamesmartin said:

it needs replacing whether its the total problem or not,

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Yeah definitely needs replacing. Disintegrating just looking at It.

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Aug 3, 2020

• #19

I have heard different stories on the plastic/alloy rads.
Personal experience with the all brass/copper ones, been on the car for several years now with zero issues.