Land Rover Repair: 1999 range rover 4.0 se bosch eng, radiator hoses, temp guage

Question
my rover temp guage goes hot mostly when going up hill. had dealer replace waterpump. I also changed thermostat. You can smell coolant but can find no leaks. I had the heatercore bypassed . Still runs hot sometimes. Will replace radiator soon. I know I need to do o rings and heater core. Also air will run cold and then will startblowing hot. Question is do you think it is the radiator? also replaced upper and lower radiator hoses,tri pressure switch,hvac control panel.Hope I did not confuse you. the raditor has been flushed for air....

Answer
Hi Greg,

with all you've done, it could very well be the rad.  Costs about $500 to have it rebuilt.  Just as a percaution, have your cylinders pressure tested - hopefully it will turn up negative on having a blown headgasket.  The odour you mention made me think of this.

Best of luck,

JohnMc

NB: rebuilt rads are better than the original - the independent rad shop was able to add two additional rows to my rad.