New Owner... Please Help

[CBlake]

Thermostat Question

Hi everyone-

I just bought an 05 LR3 HSE yesterday and I had an engine code pop up already.

The code came up as "Coolant Thermostat - Coolant Temp Below Thermostat Temperature". I had a code similar to this one on a pontiac engine and I changed the upper and lower intake gas gaskets and everything was happy again. Turns out there was low coolant and air bubbles were tripping the code.

Has anyone run into this code before?

Thanks,
Christian

 

[USAFbuckeye]

Nope, never have but seems plausible. Sounds like an easy and cheap fix, which are my favorite.

 

[dantheman1]

Your thermostat needs to be replaced. Mine gave out at 50k miles, the part is $70-80 and the install is fairly straightforward, though I forget where I read the instructions from. Do you also have a rough idle at startup?

 

[CBlake]

Maybe slightly rough, but barely noticable. So you think the thermostat is stuck in the open position?

 

[dantheman1]

Yup, sounds like it to me. The only way to fix it is to replace it, which again, is not a very expensive part. My idle was slightly rough too, but when I replaced it, you immediately notice the butter smooth idle at start up.

 

[craiglud]

I had similar issue and it was probably around the 50k mile mark. Dealer replaced thermostat quick and easy. BTW. Welcome!

 

[CBlake]

Thanks guys! I'll get one ordered in the morning. Has anyone done one themselves? I have done thermostats, but never on a Rover. Maybe they are in the same place?

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[CBlake]

My wife had no problems with it this morning picking up a kid from school after the truck sat inside over night. BUT, when she restarted it after it cooled off at the doctors office it idled very rough and would belch out white smoke/steam. It was cooler, about 60 degrees, outside. I'm thinking this is all related to the thermostat. Right?

 

[dantheman1]

Yup, this is definitely due to the thermostat. My car seemed fine right up until the first day of cold weather hit last year. I remember going out the next morning and promptly getting a rougher idle and the check engine light came on. When it got warmer, the light would go away, but come back again with another cold front. I think there is a thread on here from a member with step by step instruction on changing the tstat. I know it sits in front of the throttle plate at the very front of the engine.

 

[CBlake]

Great! Thanks so much for helping me. I pulled the big plastic cover off last night and it looks pretty easy to change. The part should be in tomorrow and I'll get to fixin'. Glad I didn't trade in the Bonneville yet!

Thanks again, Dan.