1995 range rover 2.5dt p38

hi everyone!

new to this site, i have just purchased my first range rover and am very exited about it all been wanting one for ages.
not the best start though, was running fine but all of a sudden when in traffic started to heat up slowly then heater went cold. set off and temp dropped heater came on, changed radiator and put new water pump in it the metal one not the bmw plastic ones. seemed ok for a while but now its started doing it again, im thinking head gasket but not sure.
need help not a mechanic just tinker on weekends

 

sounds like a stuck thermostat. with a little bit of dexterity you can change these without dismantling anything .

 

these engines can develop small crack in the cyl head,if not thermostat,then this is a possibility.

 

thanks for reply
there is no thermostat in it, would that cause it to do what its doing.

 

small crack in the head? does that mean a head gasket wont fix it?

 

yes,get a stat in asap.that should sort it.if not??????.i hope it sorts it for you.

 

if not thermostat what do you reckon? headgasket or head itself? i take it thats a massive job changing it

 

if the head has cracks in it,then it is a new or recon/secondhand one.you can try buying a vauxhall omega or a bmw 325/525 diesel as these are the same engine.just buy the engine if poss,if not buy a complete car as it can work out cheaper than buying just the engine.

 

changing the head is not that big of a job really.you done anything like that before??.

 

yeah on a fiat punto! ha ha bit different but i guess same principles, what does pressurising mean? how would i determine its cylinder head?

 

pressurising mean that combustion gases are getting into the water gallery's and putting excess pressure into the water system.

 

get a sniff test done asap, then you will know what you looking at.