I've just done the top hose mod with a renault 5 stat that you can get from DMGRS, much easier and cheaper to get too than the OEM stat and far cheaper. Did the trick now running at operating temperature again and gained 8 MPG in the process! Even if its temp, its worth a shot! mind you mine is a diesel! if yours is the unleaded rover powerplant, than the stat is not that hard to get to and if a hour job (thats what I heard on this forum....)

There's been a couple of reports that replacing the diesel OEM stat with another OEM one is likely to follow a similar deterioration over subsequent months. At least the in-line system is easy to replace if that stat fails.

TC

Hi T-CUT
If you were to do this mod

Do you leave the original thermostat in position even if it's working correctly
Does the engine run ok with two thermostats fitted (if the answer is yes to the first question)
Thank you
Regards
Steve

Yes, the original stays put.
EDIT: Of course if it was working correctly, there'd be no need for the modification. The problem is they start opening prematurely, so preventing the engine warming to the correct running temperature (around 90C or so)

As evidenced by hundreds of owners with the in-line system, yes it works just fine. There are lots of threads going into the details if you need more.

TC

Inline
 

Hi TC
Thank you for your reply
Mine doesn't appear to get above 80 degrees but I don't know enough about the diesel to comment.
Regards
Steve

The OEM diesel stats originally open at 88C nominal, but over time start opening earlier. I'd say yours is starting on that path and an in-line one could make a difference.

TC.

Hi Steve,
When the diesel CDT is running at normal temp, your gauge needle will be at the 9:0 o-clock position.
Mine needs doing, keep putting it off, my needle is around the twenty to position.
Ken. :Holly2:

That tells to it's at 75C or higher. It doesn't tell you if it's optimal (90C). Only the diagnostic routine or a proper temperature gauge will do that.
Remember 'normal' on the gauge means anything from 75C to 115C, so it's basically useless.

TC

I see.......appologies :icon_lol:
Ken :Holly2:

Not needed! The temperature gauge gives a false sense of security to the vast majority of owners, so knowing that it tells you very little is a useful thing to know.

TC