Running temp for a RV8??

Running temp for a RV8??

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Discussion

andys2

Original Poster:

869 posts

265 months

Wednesday 26th May 2004
quotequote all
What should the normal running temp be for a Rover v8? It's a 3.9 in a Range Rover.
I'd had my doubts that the std temp gauge was reading accuratley for a while so I bought a digital temp gauge kit from RS. This had been calibated against 2 other thermometers, and it is, as I suspected running hotter than it should. In traffic it goes up as high as 105 degrees and even when moving steadily it seems to run in the mid ninties. Is this right??
In the last year I've replace the water pump, thermostat and had the radiator re-cored. I've checked and the rad is hot all over so it's not blocked. Any ideas??

Andy

danhay

7,467 posts

263 months

Wednesday 26th May 2004
quotequote all
Has it got an electric fan for the radiator? If so, then I'd check it's coming on. It should definately be on if the temp is >100 deg c.

andys2

Original Poster:

869 posts

265 months

Wednesday 26th May 2004
quotequote all
It has got an electric fan, but that dosn't seem to be cutting in at a consistant temperature, sometimes it's 95 ( which I thought was about right ) and sometimes it lets it run up to 105 before it cuts in.
I think the first thing I'm going to do is re-check the calibration of the digital temp gauge. The std gauge never goes above half way, but I can tell it's running too hot as the oil pressure drops.

danhay

7,467 posts

263 months

Wednesday 26th May 2004
quotequote all
Could be that the thermo switch for the fan is dodgy? It should come on at a consistant temp. However, the temp you are measuring at, may be different to the temp where the switch is...especially if the switch is in the radiator as it is on my car.

spend

12,581 posts

258 months

Thursday 27th May 2004
quotequote all
Doesn't the Rad get cooled by the viscous coupling? I thought the electric fan was for the Air Con.

From what you say I'd suspect the main fan isnt moving air thru the rad.

Dave

350zwelgje

1,820 posts

268 months

Sunday 30th May 2004
quotequote all
Is it the right thermostat? Lots of versions around, and the thermostat is used to get to the right temperature for the right application of the V8.

Rob

andys2

Original Poster:

869 posts

265 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
The thermostat is an 88 degree item, sold by reputable Land Rover specialist for my model of Range Rover.
Does this mean that is the cooling system is in good order, the engine should run at around 88 degrees?

>> Edited by andys2 on Tuesday 1st June 18:10

david beer

3,982 posts

274 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I have had 3 Rangies and they always sit at the water stat figure. I have never had an electric fan cut in as the HUGE fan is normally more than enough. Having a Griff i have done a bit of tinkering with that to get it to do as the Rangie ! Is the fan coupling "clamping" as it should. Better people around to advise though !

350zwelgje

1,820 posts

268 months

Friday 4th June 2004
quotequote all
andys2 said:
The thermostat is an 88 degree item, sold by reputable Land Rover specialist for my model of Range Rover.
Does this mean that is the cooling system is in good order, the engine should run at around 88 degrees?

>> Edited by andys2 on Tuesday 1st June 18:10


Yes, but only when there is enough cooling capacity (enough water) in the total circuit. Otherwise it would go up and up and up.... until the fan cuts in.

Rob

AndySA

900 posts

270 months

Sunday 6th June 2004
quotequote all
I have a 3.9 RV8 in my Discovery, I thought it was running a bit hot, but the gauge never went above halfway, so I checked the water level often but left it alone otherwise. Then last Friday a hose ruptured and all the water was lost. Seems as if there was a blockage that caused the pressure to build. There definatly seems to be a problem with the cooling system.

kevinday

12,275 posts

287 months

Monday 14th June 2004
quotequote all
Also check your water pump is operating correctly, if it is not pumping properly then you could be getting hot pockets of water in places. Cooling problems are definitely worth sorting out, it is an ally engine.....

andys2

Original Poster:

869 posts

265 months

Monday 12th July 2004
quotequote all
Finally got to the bottom of this the other day, basically I had a couple of problems. The temperature sender for the digital gauge was knackered, I think it had got too hot, so I got a new one ( only £5 from RS ) and made a fitting so that I could tap the thermostat housing and screw it straight in. Secondly I was reading an article about water wetter where is stated that neat water can absorb nearly 50% more heat than a 50/50 mix of glycol anti-freeze. Now I remebered that I had been particulaly generous with the anti-freeze last winter, so I drained the coolant and made up a new batch at 20% strength.
After re-calibrating the temp gauge it now runs uncannily close to the 88degrees that the stat. is rated at.

Cheap fix = happy bunny!!

Cheers for all the suggestions

Andy