Land Rover Repair: 99 Land Rover Disc, temp gauge, heater coil

Question
I've had my 99 Land Rover Disc for a while now, but when i first purchased it, i would start it up and hear like water draining around i think the heater coil. After a while of having it, when i would start it up, i did not hear that sound anymore, so i was thinking everything was OK. I went on driving it, but now as i kept driving it, my temp gauge would move up towards hot, the only way i could get it to move back towards normal, was to blast the heat on high. I got tired of doing this, as summer approaches so i decided to take it back to the dealership to get the problem checked out. The dealership told me i needed a new radiator and thermostat, the quoted me around 900.00, but i don't think that price included their labor. I picked up my car and took it to another mechanic that i hoped i could trust, i told them to put on what the dealership had told me was the problem, the radiator and thermostat. I was told a rebuilt radiator was put on and a thermostat. I paid this mechanic 712.00, only to find out when i drive my car, the temp gauge still moves up. I took my car back to the mechanic, they checked it again and this time told me it was the AC fan. The fan voltage read 12 volts, basically meaning the fans weren't working at all. I'm very hard working and just feel like some mechanics will tell you anything and rip you off. I just want someone's honest opinion on what the real problem might be. Please respond ASAP!!!!!!!

Best,

Roger Newsome  

Answer
Hi Roger,

I can't speak for the integrity of your shops.  The diagnosis of the thermostat/radiator sounds plausible, the A/C fans shouldn't cause it to overheat, but they will come on if the engine temp is too high.  They should never NEED to come on under normal conditions but they will help out.