Hi Guys, on very hot days here in Australia 32-38C I've noticed my front wings and steel paneling around the radiator get very hot from the radiator and engine bay temps. The radiator top is almost too hot to touch and also the top hose is quite firm but not bulging. The car runs at 93C max stationary from NanoCom, and 87degC driving in ambients of 32degC plus which seems pretty good. I've replaced the viscous fan and the thermostat (I added a 6mm hole), the water pump is fairly new and not weeping. The car doesn't use or lose coolant either and the degas lines flow properly and the heater matrix get hot. So I'm trying to find out if this is normal for a P38 or if I have an issue? I'll have to do a combustion gas test but wondering if I could have a blocked rad - my rad has been replaced but is aluminium OE style. Is there a high flow type that might fix this?

If it is running at 87C and only getting up to 93C when stationary, there's nothing wrong with the cooling system, that's about spot on for a GEMS (Thor tends to run slightly hotter for some reason). and almost exactly what mine shows. A blocked radiator would show up as the temperature rising under high revs or load. Not sure why the front wings are getting hot, unless that is purely heat from the sun (is the car a dark colour?).

A high capacity, high flow, radiator is available from https://www.gravityperformance.co.uk/55mm-high-flow-radiator-range-rover-p38-4-0-4-6-v8-94-99/, although one of my cars has one of these and the other has a standard Nissens and there's doesn't seem to be much to choose.

Thanks for the reply and info. Yes, it's a strange one - normal temps from NanoCom but very hot rad which heats the steelwork (slam panel) and extends to the fronts of the wings (e.g. near the airbox). Yes it's not solar loading (even though the car is BRG), definitely conduction from the rad area and massive amounts of under-hood heat (I have the manifold heat shields fitted too which really help). I wonder if the rad mounts have been changed or need replacing? I'll try higher revs under some load to check the rad flow too. The amount of heat worries me tbh - I'm wondering about some subtle bonnet vents. Thanks.

There aren't any rad mounts as such, the rad has a couple of pins on the bottom that fit into rubber grommets on the crossmember and the top is held in place by a couple of shaped 'lumps' that slot into the steelwork at the sides. It might just be that the alloy radiator is conducting the heat away into the bodywork where the standard plastic topped one wouldn't.

It might be worth getting an infra red thermometer and seeing just how hot things are getting.but if the running temperatures are OK, I can't see it being a problem.

I live in the Bundaberg region Qld so similar day time temperatures. Also own a Epson Green Micatallic 1998 4.6l
Haven't tried the Nanocom on the move but standing in the carport I get the same 93c temp.

Since June 2023 I have a "Watchdog TM4" fitted, but only using the temp sensor part of the unit. Sensor is attached to one of the inlet manifold bolts that go into the head.
Running temp is steady at 88c I have the temp alarm set to go off at 98c and since the unit has been fitted it has only gone off once.

I must add that was in an enclosed vehicle lift in an apartment block, not long after stopping in the parking area and on idle the temp came down to 94c and alarm went off.

Also the heat in the wing panels is very hot so again the same. I also have been very concerned with the heat.

Looked on many of the old posts on ALRO an Australian forum and when these cars were entering the second hand market a lot of owners were concerned about the heat.
I have come to the conclusion that as Gilbertd says its normal. As one person has said to me just ensure the cooling system is in perfect working order and remember these were sold in the hot Arab regions

Andrew

I also can confirm what you have is normal ... believe me I spent long periods with a partially clogged radiation and temps were always in the +100 C ... done thermostat, water pump, and whatnot, but nothing changed until I've replaced the rad and since there I have never seen higher temps than 92-95 even when towing in summer (2.5/2.7t car trailer).

Now, instead what you mention is a very common problem with "modern" vehicles, and after "cooking" one car I have become very wary of that. Underood temps are very very high on modern cars, especially turbocharged and with the cat/cats located in the engine bay. Unfortunately, there is no way to get around it. Often I get to use almost new cars and the situation is the same ....
Unless you plan a way to fit some "extraction fan" that can activate manually of with a timer-relay, you will need to live with it.

When I come back from a trip or extended city use in how weather, when I park in the garage I usually crack open the hood and let it ventilate, if I have the chance. Much to the amusement of some of my mates, I do the same even in public places, provided I get to watch the car or if it is in a private area. I do the same also when I stop during a long trip for a walk or a cup ... yeah I know is not giving proper support to fight the usual "P38-British-LandRover-always-break-down" look on others, but I don't care ...