Posted by Hatari on December 23, 2001 at 21:09:15:

Temp Reading almost RED AGAIN after new headgaskets. PREVIOUS to the headgaskets change I was getting a high reading on the temp gauage (almost red)- after replacing the thermastat, temp sender, flushed and had the rad infered check(checked ok)they say, checked all hoses for leakage (Checked OK)it turns out is was blown head gasket passenger bank, I was losing water through overflow fill tank hose. I have since got the rover back that installed the new headgaskets and the heads done, fan cluth, fan, and all new hoses. After driving I noticed the the temp guage did not read and seemed stuck but after shut down and restart the guage moved to the center(this is at about 55 degree ambiant temp)after driving the second day I drove 10 miles with the guage in the middle then when I got off and made a left I notice the guage up at just below RED (It seems about time when the termistat opens, just speculation)and stayed there all the way home. Heres the thing where to put the money I have. I did'nt put in a new sensor since I had the head gaskets changed, I get a slight freon smell inside the cab maybe heater core (no leakage noticed anywhere else) and the radiator I noticed after warmed up, is hot on the top where the fins are, but just warm on the middle-to-bottom.
PS can the heater core be bypssed using a small U - Piece of hose connecting the to and from lines going to the firewall on the engine? Any gremlin chasers input welcome.