How Proper Maintenance Can Prevent Your Land Rover’s Cooling System From Overheating

Land Rover features a robust cooling system for its high-performance engine, tuned for both on- and off-road driving. The cooling system performs under varying conditions, such as heavy-duty driving, off-road use, and in varied climates. Malfunctioning system components cause engine overheating and heating-related component failures in the vehicle, which can progress to severe engine failures, such as engine seizure. Although repair options are available, the costs are high for a sophisticated SUV like a Land Rover. That’s why we suggest adopting a routine for cooling system maintenance to prevent malfunctions before they become serious.

6 Maintenance Steps for Land Rover Cooling Systems

During routine maintenance, the cooling system components—such as the radiator, water pump, thermostat, coolant hoses, coolant/antifreeze, cooling fans, coolant reservoir, and sensors—are thoroughly inspected and serviced if any irregularities are found. Here are six maintenance steps our expert technicians provide here at Francen & Son, including but not limited to:

1. Regular Coolant Checks and Changes

At first, the coolant level in the expansion tank is checked when the engine is cold. A healthy cooling system should have the coolant level between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. Coolant doesn’t last forever, as its corrosion inhibitors and anti-foaming agents break down over time. Thus, a full coolant flush and coolant replacement are done every 3 to 5 years or 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on the model and coolant type of your Land Rover. During this procedure, we use the high-quality, brand-specific coolant recommended by Land Rover for your model.

2. Inspection of Hoses and Belts

The hoses are recommended to be inspected at least twice a year. All coolant hoses and connecting clamps are visually inspected for signs of wear, cracks, splits, bulges, or extreme hardness or softness. The serpentine belt is also checked for cracks, fraying, or excessive wear, as it drives the water pump and cooling fan.

3. Radiator Maintenance

The radiator is visually inspected for bent fins, corrosion, or leaks such as green, orange, or pink stains. After that, it is thoroughly cleaned, leaving it free of leaves, insects, plastic bags, and mud. These obstructions severely restrict airflow and reduce cooling efficiency.

4. Thermostat Testing

If the thermostat is clogged, the coolant won’t circulate, leading to rapid engine overheating. If it stays open, the coolant flows freely, and the engine will take too long to warm up or never reach optimal temperature. This leads to reduced fuel efficiency and increased wear. During maintenance, the thermostat is thoroughly checked and cleaned of any debris that may be clogging it, ensuring proper, regulated coolant flow.

5. Water Pump Inspection and Service

The water pump pushes coolant through the coolant lines that travel throughout the engine. The integrity of the water pump is checked by listening for any unusual noises, such as grinding or squealing. These noises indicate a failing bearing. Also, the surrounding of the pump’s shaft and the weep hole, designed to release coolant when the internal seal fails, is checked for leaks.

6. Cooling Fan Inspection

The electric fans are checked to see whether they kick on when the engine gets hot or when the AC is running, and a sound inspection is conducted. At the same time, mechanical fans are checked to see whether the fan clutch engages properly when hot—a failed cooling fan or fan clutch results in poor airflow at low speeds.

On top of that, the vehicle control unit is connected to a Land Rover-specific diagnostic scanner, and the integrity and condition of the sensor are checked. If any cooling system fault codes are found, the part is repaired immediately. At the end, the engine bay is thoroughly cleaned, and the maintenance is finished.

Francen & Son: Expert Cooling System Maintenance in Algonquin, IL

If you are experiencing a cooling system malfunction or your maintenance is approaching, visit our premier auto repair shop, Francen & Son Foreign Car Repair, for accurate, high-quality maintenance services in Algonquin. We employ ASE-certified technicians who are experts in European and Japanese vehicle brands. Equipped with factory-grade tools and OEM-replacement parts, we’ll repair your automotive air conditioning with expertise and efficiency. Our 12,000-mile/12-month warranty backs every job completed. Does your Land Rover need cooling system maintenance? Visit our shop at 1650 E Algoquin Rd, Algoquin, IL 60102 today!