Poorly Td5

[Jimbo]

The Disco normally takes between 5 and 6 miles of steady driving in the mornings before the temperature gauge gets to it's normal position (horizontal), for the past three days it's taken a lot longer to get to the position, and since yesterday the temp. has been dropping to around the '4 o'clock position.

The coolant level appears fine, there is no evidence of any being blown out of the expansion tank.

When on full whack, the heater does not blow really hot - not like it used to anyhow.

No sign of mayo on the oil filler cap.

No obvious coolant leaks anywhere.

I'm thinking the worst - head gasket, but I guess it's possibly something simpler (and cheaper !), maybe thermostat or temp. sender - is there anyway to test the temp. sender ?

Any other suggestions ?

BTW, trucks done 87000 and is still driving ok, not overheated - yet !

Jim

[imspanners]

Unless you've got extreme pressure issues with coolant when hot, I'd be inclined to think the thermostat is shot.

They aint cheap, but I'd be fitting a genuine one as aftermarkets' have a short lifespan.  

[muddyjames]

my 300tdi disco used to do exactly the same. it ran nearly cold when pootling about a roads and then on the motorway the temp went up and the heater got warmer.

I put a new thermostat in and all worked wonderfully after that.

[Jimbo]

This is bizarre - did a job in Milton Keynes this morning, so took a fairly slow ride up there (traffic was a bit bad), and the Disco warmed up within the usual 5-6 miles as normal, temp stayed steady all the way (54 miles), then had a reasonable blat back down the M1 to Luton, then the quicker 'A' roads home and all was fine.............

Can anyone explain this ?

Last night, I did double check the coolant level when the engine was cold, and took the engine cover off to have a good look for small leaks/anti-freeze stains etc. I did remove and refit the connector for the temp. sensor on the side of the block - perhaps it wasn't quite on properly  :?

[muddyjames]

i expect the stat just freed up this time and worked. tomorrow it might not wor again or as you say the conector want quiet on.

[Jimbo]

i expect the stat just freed up this time and worked. tomorrow it might not wor again or as you say the conector want quiet on.

Hmmm, maybe it was me poking around that 'fixed' it. I'll be out again tomorrow, so will see what happens then - can't find a stat anywhere online, Paddocks don't list them, so looks like I'll be crossing the palm of a main stealer