Often ask myself "do we really like the P38 so much". ...or who are we kidding, it's just a cheap way of running a luxury brand. Yes cheap even allowing for problems. If I had 70k burning a hole in my pocket would I waste so much time and effort keeping the 12 yr old P38 going... NO. I don't...

Without removing head is it possible to distinguish between head gasket problem and block/liner damage. The problem is hard top hope but not currently overheating. Thankyous PS 2000 petrol 4.0

If thermostat is not opening are you absolutely sure radiator is not blocked. Chech if bottom of rad and especially bottom hose to stat is warm. New rad is much Cheever than new engine.

read somewhere that you need to get front end up and back end down (don't know how) so air rises to top. Don't know if this is an old wives tale though.

Sure its not Classic FM with a bad signal that's crackling away?