3.0 turbo diesel temperature

[Banjo7]

After many years of land rover ownership I finally got fed up of being deaf and uncomfortable so I recently bought a surf. The one thing I've noticed is it's seems to run quite hot. The temperature gauge reads normal and the heaters get hot quick. But under the bonnet it seems to be roasting but it doesn't smell hot. Is this just the way these are? I am an agricultural mechanic so im not mongole when it comes to motors. I'm after a fairly quick answer because I'm driving to holland in it on Friday fully loaded and don't really want to end up in a cloud of steam on the continent.
Cheers

[Fricfrac]

Mine gets to temperature, but I would not say it gets anything like "roasting"under the bonnet.

[Hazzo]

check the viscous fan is operating correctly, fit an aftermarket temp guage and service the coolant system fully before you go on any big trip. Plenty info on all these items in cylinder head blown threads. H