Coolant leak.

[RichardT]

Hi folks - I'd be pulling out my hair (if I had any left) and was hoping to get a few other people's idea/suggestions.

Vehicle: 1997 V8 Discovery 1 - 215Km
Owned: 1 month.

Issue: Coolant Leak
Location: Unknown, dripping on lowest part of vehicle (tranny bell).
Testing: Engine running in driveway (slight incline nose pointed upwards).

All top hoses appear just fine - no obvious leaks.

The strange thing is that this ONLY started when I filled up the disco's coolant system to max level (it was down almost a gallon - and was not leaking).

Any idea of the best place to start looking?

I will have to MacGyver a 10psi pressure tester for the system so I can test it when cold ...

Thoughts / Advice?

Thanks!

Richard.

[PaulC]

Sounds like a head gasket....look for at white baked on trail of coolant from back of engine area running down towards the transmission bell

[Rob]

Ditto on the head gasket... look for weeping between the head and block at the rear side of the motor on the driver's side (LHD truck) as this is a typical spot for leaking and can run down the block. These motors are also known to leak between the head and intake manifolds. You can find good v8 info on discoweb and rangerovers.net.

Cheers, Rob

[RichardT]

Thanks guys ...
I was really hoping you WOULDN'T say Head Gasket!

The strange thing is that there is no cross-contamination between the oil and coolant ... Both are pristine and clean.

I guess at this point as I have yet to locate the source of the problem I am really dreading having to do a head gasket job ...

I'll keep you posted what I find out!

Thanks again for all the advice!

Richard

[red90]

It can be the intake gasket as well as there are 4 coolant ports from the head to the intake manifold.

[RichardT]

Update :
Thanks to the help of a good friend with a video scope the location of the darned leak has been narrowed down.
My coolant leak is coming from the back of the valley pan area. With the nose of the disco downhill one can see a small trickle of clean fluid run down the center of the valley and collect in the front. It isn't as much as I had thought but my fear is that it CAN become worst and not something I wish to risk.
My current thought is that I'll have to replace the valley gasket system.
So for all you wrenchers, a few questions:

1. I have read that the bolts in the back can get loose over time and thus allow fluid leak from said gasket. If so how much do I need to remove in order to get down to tighten the bolts? By the time I can tighten it all down am I to the point that I might as well replace it?

2. What gaskets do I need for this job? Intake manifold (valley pan), right and left valve cover gaskets, rubber ends for front and back of valley and a tube of RTV sealant?

3. Other than the RAVE manual, anyone know of any good picture (and crayon) instructions.

4. Last one ... Does Lordco carry the above gaskets or do I need to get them in the US?

Thanks folks! Looking forward to meeting you at the next Thursday coffee!

Richard.

[red90]

I think you can access the bolts without removing anything, although it might be easier with the plenum off. It is pretty straightforward regardless. I don;t think there is any need to take the valve covers off. No idea if you can get the gasket at Lordco, but probably or from any of the local Rover parts suppliers.

[red90]

Manual: http://www.landroverresource.com/95_96_ ... Manual.pdf

[RichardT]

Update - replaced the valley pan gasket (sourced from Alder Autoparts for $32 and $6 for the end caps). Project took about 6 hours but am now fighting with a leaking oring.

Richard

[Strange Rover]

Looks like you got it sorted out in the end but I WAS going to say it's probably your intake valley gasket.

When I did my head gasket you should have seen the sorry condition of the intake valley gasket, it was all crumbling, cracking and rotting away.