QuestionWhat a great site.
Just purchased 1997 Land Rover Discovery SE7. It has 99K.
Yesterday, with the air condition running, it started overheating. Turned off the air and put the heaters on full and the temerature came down. Don't know much about LR except that they are expensive to fix. Just wondering if the overheating is a common problem and what might be some causes.
AnswerHi Mike,
welcome to the select world of LR ownership. We all have a 'love - hate' relationship with our LR's. A long standing tradition is to give you LandRover a name! Many years ago, when we bought our Disco, our son named ours "Simba" from the "Lion King" movie. The tire cover on the back has a beautiful full profile of a male lion's head...which also had an influence.
Regarding your problem, all Disco's run hot, this much is true. If your temp gauge is at the half-way point, this is normal. At least for our Disco Series I engines. I have a 3.9l engine, yours might be the 4.0 or 4.2. IF it is higher than mid-way, you have a problem.
With AC running, the load is larger on the engine. IF the compressor (BIG IF) is having problems (ie. ceasing clutch) the load becomes even greater. I recently came back from Miami FLA and had the AC for most of the way there and back. I never saw the gauge go above the mid-way point BUT I know my engine was extremely hot! Just touching the hood could prove it! Ouch! I had flushed the coolant before leaving on my vacation...just in case. As a matter of PM (preventive maintenance), I flush the coolant every two years - no matter what!
It is possible that either the thermostat starting to stick and beginning to fail OR there could be some air or gunk blockage. Since you are the 2nd owner (or so), I'd have the thermostat replaced and the coolant flushed. This is something you should do anyway as a new owner (see below). Give it really good flushing and watch to see if anything other than old coolant comes out of the radiator.
Again, since you are a new owner, my advise would be to flush ALL the Disco's fluids from the vehicle. Perhaps the dealership you bought it from did this for you, if not, removing all the fluids will give you some insight and be a great relief too! You'll see if any metal shavings or 'what not' is present and can determine how the vehicle was maintained. Change the engine oil, tranny fluid, differential fluids, brake fluid, steering fluid and a coolant flush. IF LR does it, it will cost you about $400US. If you do it, it should cost about $50US. Change the fuel filter too..if you have the time!
I wish you well with your new Disco and hope you have many, many years without any serious maintenance repairs.
Glad you like the site.
JohnMc
