That is an option to remove the stat, but its my personal opinion that the stat is in place to direct flow between the engine block and radiator . . . and that even when open it channels flow round the block. With no stat, that flow round the block is possibly not as good as it could be. Yes, the increased flow to the radiator will aid cooling of the fluid, but you need to be sure that cooled fluid is then getting directed through the block, which is why I leave the stat in.

As for multiple failures of the expansion bottle . . . yes, I had that. Came down to me buying pattern parts from online retailers. 1 even failed on the very first run. Bought genuine, and it was fine after that.

Also, the filling + bleeding process has to be carried out properly. I took my time with it, and that made a difference as well I think. V8 or else ...

Haylands, yes good suggestion.
I have researched quite a bit through the BMW forums and the LR ones too over the last week.
There really is an issue with the M62 engine set up in the FF and in the sedans it seems.
Why Land Rover never had to recal FFs and do something about this situation is crazy, this would be costing millions globally a year, there is an indy here in Sydney that regularly does engine rebuilds due to hose, expansion bottle failures..........women are particularly bad for continuing to drive after all the coolant has had a rapid decompression and left the building.
Not sure about your neighbourhood, but FF is the car of choice for women here 7/10 FFs are driven by women from my observations.
For my own peace of mind I just want to see something change here with the pressure and the temps with my having installed a new stat because I just dont see anything else "WRONG" with the cooling system.

The 88c mod most certainly looks a very sensible modification.
For a vehicle that is "supposed" to be very capable in remote areas (a joke) having a cooling system that operates in excess of 100c is insane there is not really any way you can patch things up and keep moving if you have a cooling system blow out some place.
36c here tomorrow that will test things.

The only reason they made it run so hot (it never was run hot in BMW cars) was to pass the new (at the time) emission regulations, it was an old engine then and couldn't make the mark on part throttle tests, so they cranked up the heat to burn off more fuel, it worked and we got the best engine (at the time) that was ever put into a Range Rover...

Look after them, lower the temp, change the oil a lot and they will last for ages....

Women tend to drive the RR Sport or Evoque round here.... Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

quote.... Women tend to drive the RR Sport or Evoque round here.... unquote

they do.. its the parking, and 'lipstick application at speed' that is lacking in the UK..

OK,
Observations;
After installing a new thermostat.
We have had some pretty warm weather in Sydney last week and this.
On a 41c day in heavy slow moving traffic via the hidden menu in the message centre coolant temp runs between 108 & 110C even highway cruise at 110km/hr will still show 108c.
This is "NORMAL" operation............leaves me concerned, I shall be looking into a cooler running thermostat for sure.

That's what mine ran at before, with the 80deg stat it runs around 90deg with no viscous fan, I have electric fans that I've set to cut in at 99deg... they only come on if you sit in traffic for a while...

Runs much better...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

RR P38 wrote:

OK,
Observations;
After installing a new thermostat.
We have had some pretty warm weather in Sydney last week and this.
On a 41c day in heavy slow moving traffic via the hidden menu in the message centre coolant temp runs between 108 & 110C even highway cruise at 110km/hr will still show 108c.

Just push the right hand button on the message centre, hold it down until the display changes to nr.........
once it comes up push it until you get to seven...............and push the left hand button once to access the coolant temp.

I shall go and look! Thanks. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Just tried it.

I pressed the RH button until Test-NR 01 came up. Continued pressing until Nr. 7 appeared, pressed the LH button and got Lock On.

Dunno what that means. If I continued pressing the LH button the Lock no. incremented. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

Sorry Ron, forgot to unlock first, once you have done this the menu stays open.

It sound long winded but its a good thing once you have it open.
I had to subtract 1 to get this too work, but not everyone has too.

All test functions, with the exception of tests No's. 1 and 2, are locked after the instrument pack is reset and must be
unlocked using test No. 19. This locking feature is intended to make instrument pack test functions difficult for
unauthorised persons to access. Refer to function test No. 19 for further detail



TEST 19
The unlock code is known as a checksum of the VIN. The VIN can be obtained from Test Function No. 1. The
numbers of the VIN are added together and the resulting figure equals the checksum. For example, if the VIN is
XA37295 the checksum will equal 26, which in turn equals the unlock code.
Enter the unlock as follows:
lWhen test function No. 19 is entered, 'LOCK : ON' is displayed
lPress the trip reset button once, 'LOCK : 00' is displayed
lPress the trip reset button until the unlock checksum is reached, i.e. 26
lPress the check control button once, all test functions will be unlocked.
NOTE: All test functions will remain unlocked, even when the ignition is switched off.
lRelock the test functions as follows:
lGo to test function No. 19 and press the trip reset button, 'LOCK : OFF' is displayed
lPress the trip reset button a second time, 'LOCK : ON' is displayed
lPress the check control button or switch the ignition off to relock the test functions.

Thank you. Yes, I tried the checksum but it didn't work until reduced the number by 1 as you suggested. Unfortunately, the pixel problem makes reading the text difficult. I have a new ribbon cable but have yet to try fitting it.

On the upside, the coolant temp as shown in the Message Centre is the same as shown by the Scan Gauge.

The L322 message centre is pretty poor compared to the P38A.

With Test Nr. 2 I can see the service indicator light is working - just. I haven't looked into the instrument panel lighting yet. I would also like to do something about the dim back lighting on the controls in the central section of the dash. Yes, it is turned up to maximum. Ron B. VK2OTC
2003 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA