Hi All,

2003 4.4 Vogue LPG.....

Noticed this morning after about 19-20 miles the Temp gauge starting creeping up from the usual 12o'clock position to the 3/4 mark - then about 3 seconds later went back down to usual...!!

On the way home this evening, same thing happened about 3-4 times - after 3-5 seconds back down to normal again....

No rhyme nor reason - doesn't happen at any specific time, up hills fine, down hills, fine, waiting at lights fine, fast driving fine, slow crawling fine....then all of sudden at no specfic time it creeps up then down again a few seconds later!!

There is a whiff of coolant in the air when you open the bonnet, but no wet marks.

Did notice a tiny damp patch under the front valance (if facing the car on the left hand side - just under the front spoiler) the other morning but nothing since.

Any clues??

Many thanks. 

Possible water pump or thermostat fault

Thanks for the reply...

My suspicion is with the Thermostat.....am I right in saying it is an electronic stat?? 

Doubt the stat would cause a leak unless someone has tampered with it before. Don't know if it is electronic, they are not on most vehicles although it will have wires going to/from the temp sensor to gauge

Loose earth connection or sensor connection can cause the gauges to flutter quickly. V8 or else ...

Thanks for the reply, it doesn't flutter - just creeps up stays for 3-4 seconds then slowly drops back again....

I am considering the Electronically Heated Thermostat is at fault....would anyone concur? 

I would say thermostat. It is an easy swap on petrol engines. See RSWsolutions who made a video of this. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Sounds like a sticking/dodgy stat to me. Try the hidden menus for actuall readings. Not sure if the stat uses the same input as the gauge. [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

I have today picked up a replacement Behr Stat and Housing - got to wait for the thing to cool down before fitment (obviously)

I have watched the Legend that is Storey Wilson's video a few times and looking at it, I don't think it is necessary to remove the fan - I will report back on that one!!

I will have to look into the Hiden Menu thing....is this in the wiki pages?? if not where can it be found?

EDIT: Found it...!! 

I would have thought doing this without taking the fan off will be a massive pain! As a word of caution do you have the correct fan tool? If not be careful. I used the belt tension to undo mine and the water pump seals. It's possible they were on there way out and the extra force killed them. If I was to do it again without the correct tool I would sacrifice the belt and get one of these http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v1/395407661...ch_Set.jpg would save the pump but also a good excuse to change the belt and at £10 better than being stuck at the side of the road. [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

I think you could do it without the fan coming off. If you removed the air inlet pipe running from the filter to the manifold, you'd have more space. V8 or else ...

One out and one in....

No need to remove the fan, although I can assume the access would be easier with it removed, although it is manageable if you are tall enough to lean over and get your hand on the lowest bolt closest to the block...a little paitience was needed with that one!!

I did notice a chaffed wire leading to the heated thermostat element (pic attached)
which could have been the culprit.

Well the drive this morning (20 miles) was faultless....

Used the 'Hidden Menu' to display the Temp on the message display for the journey, it rose to 106degC then fluctuated between 106 and 108 all the way with the needle at the 12 o'clock position the whole time....

Fingers crossed, this has been resolved, just gotta wait for the next mission!

Cheers for your input chaps and chapettes!! 

Glad it was a quick and easy fix! How much was your stat? [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

I got it from GSF Car Parts as there is a stockist just up from work....

Listed at £52.50+VAT - £63.00 - The chap was kind and as I work at the airport and was wearing my Airport ID, he gave me a discount and I got it for a hair over £56

Island 4x4 list it a £46 odd +VAT so that would be in the region of £54 but I would have to pay the post on that one to so would have been closer to the £60-£63 mark in anycase....

The unit is an OEM Behr unit too.....

I am glad it was quick and simple too...hope the next is also!!