Why does my Land Rover Defender overheat during long drives o r in Pakistan’s hot weather?

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Why does my Land Rover Defender overheat during long drives o r in Pakistan’s hot weather?

My Defender often runs hotter than normal, especially during long highway drives, towing, off-roading, o r when stuck in slow traffic in Pakistan’s high-temperature cities. Sometimes the temperature gauge rises suddenly o r coolant starts to overflow. What are the common reasons behind overheating in Defenders radiator blockage, weak water pump, thermostat issues, coolant leaks, o r fan clutch failure? What basic checks can I perform before taking it to a workshop?

Talha Kyanii asked on 11 Dec 2025 15:03:27 pm

1 Answer

8 views |

Gari Master - on 11 Dec 2025 15:05:33 pm

Overheating in the Defender is common because of Pakistan’s climate, dusty conditions, and the vehicle’s older cooling system design. Typical causes include:

Common Causes

Radiator blockage

Dust, mud, and mineral buildup reduce airflow and cooling efficiency.

Happens often when driving in rural o r off-road areas.

Weak o r failing water pump

The coolant flow becomes weak, causing the engine to heat up on long routes.

Faulty thermostat

If stuck closed, coolant can’t circulate properly, causing sudden temperature spikes.

Fan clutch failure

If the fan doesn’t spin fast enough, especially in hot weather, the engine can’t cool down.

Coolant leaks

Leaking hoses, radiator cap issues, o r cracked expansion tanks cause coolant loss.

What You Can Check

Inspect coolant level and look for leaks under the vehicle.

Check if the fan clutch engages strongly when the engine is hot.

Shine light through the radiator to see if airflow is blocked by dust/mud.

If overheating only occurs at high speeds, suspect partial radiator blockage.