Alibro
Well-Known Member
I fitted a Renault 5 thermostat to the top hose yesterday for the same issue. It's a common fix for TD4's in Freelanders and Rovers. Lots of info around here how to do it.
Edit, Mine was probably a bit worse but you'll find it getting slower and slower getting up to temp in the winter.
Edit, Mine was probably a bit worse but you'll find it getting slower and slower getting up to temp in the winter.
Alibro
Well-Known Member
Don't know about lazy but it looks like it is open all the time so your engine isn't getting up to temp. The bodge/fix takes around an hour to do (plus a fair amount of sweating and swearing) and the thermostat is only a few quid. DMGRS do a kit but if you have plenty of jubilee clips you only need the thermostat.
Major Eazy
Active Member
I had a similar problem. But just to let you know, can't promise what I say will fix your Land Rover, as my similar problem was related to my old car, a Ford Focus 1.8 before replaced by my Land Rover.
The thermostat may have been damaged, and/or you may have coolant leak. This was the cause of why my temp gauge on my Ford Focus, did a similar thing to what you say. Too low until a very long journey, and not always very upright at the halfway mark, mostly just a little below the halfway mark (on the cold side). Would be advisable to have a garage (unless you're experienced?) take the thermostat apart and check it.
Alibro
Well-Known Member
Dodgy thermostat is VERY common in Rover/LandRover TD4's and they are a real pig to replace, hence the 'fix' that has been tried and tested for years. You could take it to a garage and pay them over a hundred quid to replace it or you could pay a tenner for a new thermostat and fix it yourself.
You pays your money.....
longdog
Active Member
I've done a couple of thermostats and a pump and I don't think it's that bad to do. As a stand alone job it takes a bit of time, but if it's done when doing a service then it doesn't add too much.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
It's faster and cheaper to do the in pipe thermostat mod. This is why I did it to mine and a few others too.
If I was changing a TD4 water pump. Then I'd fit a new thermostat at the same time. I don't know if there's actually any difference between the 88° and 92° thermostat. It could be they perform the same in real terms, with slightly different test conditions being used for both.
If they are different, then the 92° will give a warmer heater, with slightly improved economy and emissions.
The 88° stat would probably give slightly improved performance and marginally less economy.
I suspect the difference is minimal however.
longdog
Active Member
The lads on the Rover/MG forum that have fitted the 92° stat claim improved mpg and better heater output.
https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/collections...el-thermostat-kit-aftermarket-revised-version
Paulindre
Active Member
Happy New year Alibro and all members of this forum, my thermostat stayed open as they like to do during the winter when you need it to work so I did your Renault 5 fix and stuffed it up the tube with the help of a smear of vaseline. Thank you all for this valuable tip, the temp was up to normal within miniutes of fitting, now runs at 88 - 92 degrees and i don't have to wear 3 jumpers, 1 balaclava and a pair of gloves to go for a drive.
Warm regards
Paul ps I forgot to mention that my friend, an 80+ year old mechanic, suggested that I drill a 1mm hole through the body to allow a little water to pass otherwise it will take longer for the thermostat to work. He maintains that it takes some time for the heat to move from the engine, up the tube to the thermostat, the small hole allows a flow of water that brings the hot water up to the thermostat a lot quicker. What do you all think?
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Alibro
Well-Known Member
Well done for sorting it and Happy New Year to all too. I think I may have heard something along the same lines as your mechanic friend suggested but I just stuffed mine in and so far so good.
Mine rarely goes above the 10 o clock mark and heating is rubbish. Where is the info on how to fit the other thermostat please.
Any more detail of where and how you fitted the other thermostat please? A picture even?
Alibro
Well-Known Member
Take a look through this thread, I haven't checked through it all but a quick Google of TD4 thermostat mod will give lots of info and photos.
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/in-line-thermostat-mod-td4.215114/
TSR2
Active Member
I am a novice to car mechanics and I managed the in-line stat mod with relative ease, took me a weekend because I decided to clean the inlet manifold at the same time, but if I was just doing the modification I think it would have taken me about 2hrs (much of that time was taking off and putting the inlet manifold back on). I used the following video as a guide, was pretty much spot on apart from that I didn’t realise that all the coolant would flood out (stupid I know).
Two words of warning (from a novice perspective):
1) if you choose to remove the inlet manifold, be very careful when lifting it off and the rubber gaskets could fall in the inlets, in my case they were all firmly attached but might be good to have a spotter
2) stuff loads of rags, paper tissue around the hose to make sure the starter motor is protected from the inevitable flood of coolant!
Two words of warning (from a novice perspective):
1) if you choose to remove the inlet manifold, be very careful when lifting it off and the rubber gaskets could fall in the inlets, in my case they were all firmly attached but might be good to have a spotter
2) stuff loads of rags, paper tissue around the hose to make sure the starter motor is protected from the inevitable flood of coolant!
