My 89 Defender has a 200 tdi Discovery engine in it , it all runs fine no water issues but the temp gauge goes to all most the end of the scale, could it be a thermostat issue.
Thanks
Always done this or just started?
Can be compatability issues between engine temp sender & the vehicle gauge, common with engine transplants.
My own RR Classic has had a couple of temp senders go faulty. Either doesn't read at all or shoots off the top of the scale.
Done this since I brought it, it will go nearly to the end of the gauge very quickly and just sit there, if your not putting a lot of power on the Engine it will creep back a little
You could buy an IR thermometer to check engine temp. I find very handy for finding overheating parts. I would expect you need the sender that matches the dash, namely 89 Defender. If you can't get this to fit the engine there are T adapters that go in a radiator hose into which you fit the sender. Don't know if the Defender one would go in one of these adapters but you might be able to re- thread it.
You need to match the sender & the gauge.
3 choices really.
1. Fit the sender that matches the gauge
2. Fit the gauge that matches the sender.
3. Buy a good quality aftermarket gauge & sender & fit that which should give you an accurate reading instead of the there or thereabouts of the first two. Hopefully you might get a few recommendations off people that have done that. Only problem with that is it will be something else to keep looking at & worrying about!