Disco 2 Dashboard Temperature Gauge doesn't move.

OK, newbie post alert!

I have just picked up my first Discovery 2, 53 plate Td5. Drove it from Oxford to Derby without any issue.

However, amongst the usual "common" issues I am working through fixing, I have found an issue which despite searching numerous forums I am unable to find an answer.

When starting up and driving, everything appears to be fine. However the temperature gauge on the dashboard never moves from the bottom of the dial.

Looking at the coolant revealed there was very little so I topped up using approved fluid, from cold.
Did a 20 mile drive including some roads at 60MPH. When I got home there was very little coolant left.

I waited until the engine was cold and topped up, put newspaper underneath the entire front end and waited. Nothing, no evident leaks anywhere.

Tried it on another drive, temperate gauge didn't move but coolant went down again.

Is this just a case of having to keep putting coolant in (at cold) until it stays at the level required, or is there something else going on? (Someone told me the coolant "tank" holds 11L)???

I'm guessing the coolant level and temperature gauge are linked, but I am no mechanic.
So before taking to such I thought I'd ask here!

Thanks in advance.

Don't just simply top up, first of all fill the system correctly to be sure it's full cos it needs in total 13L of coolant from dry, unclip the tank and lift it to be above the bleed hole, undo the bleed screw and poor coolant in the tank untill it comes out from the hole, screw in the bleeder just partially, fit the tank back, start the engine and ask somebody to keep the revs above 1500rpm untill no bubbles are coming out then tighten the screw, top up the tank and tighten the cap to maximum.... then you know it's filled and bled so if you find the tank empty again start searching for the leak but if you still have coolant and the temp gauge doesnt move check the coolant temp sensor in the elbow to be well connected and if it is replace it with new

sierrafery said:

Don't just simply top up, first of all fill the system correctly to be sure it's full cos it needs in total 13L of coolant from dry, unclip the tank and lift it to be above the bleed hole, undo the bleed screw and poor coolant in the tank untill it comes out from the hole, screw in the bleeder just partially, fit the tank back, start the engine and ask somebody to keep the revs above 1500rpm untill no bubbles are coming out then tighten the screw, top up the tank and tighten the cap to maximum.... then you know it's filled and bled so if you find the tank empty again start searching for the leak but if you still have coolant and the temp gauge doesnt move check the coolant temp sensor in the elbow to be well connected and if it is replace it with new

Click to expand...

Many thanks. I will try this and hopefully that solves it. I've read so many related topics on forums that confused me, that I felt compelled to reach out for help!

What ever the result will be if the gauge doesnt move from bottom dont drive it much this way cos you may overheat the engine and that can be expensive to fix after that

In addition to Fery's advice - be careful tightening the bleed screw. They are only plastic and can brake easily. A lot of us replace them with ally ones.
Griff

I used some good quality rubber to metal bond and addapted this instead of the plastic setup https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cast-Iron-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Both,

Bleeding and refilling has worked. Temperature needle now moves as expected. Thank you for your guidance a d advice!

Simon.

Let's hope the head gasket didnt suffer fom the previous trips without enough coolant in the system