Another LR4 Saved from Coolant Death
- Thread starter furbeerl
- Start date
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jjvd21
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- Jul 7, 2007
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I have a 2016 with 52,000 miles on the clock. 3 weeks ago I received the “coolant low” message in the instrument panel. I checked and the reservoir was empty. I topped it up and have been checking every other day, it doesn’t appear that it has lost any coolant since my refill. However, I’m now getting a strong smell of coolant from the engine bay. I don’t see any obvious leaks but coolant must be coming out from somewhere. Does this sound like I’m experiencing the crossover pipe failure?
It looks like there are three parts for the crossovers? Is it crucial to replace all of them at regular intervals? Or should you "definitely carry a spare of this one" for long trips?
Quijote
Full Access Member
I'm at 46k miles, so a full cooling system refurbishing is in order this fall. I'll be at around 8 years and 50k miles then. Hopefully no issues until I get around to it then.
jlglr4
Full Access Member
@jjvd21 - if your reservoir was truly empty, you might want to bleed your system - or at least monitor your real temp (with a GAP tool or something like that). When the reservoir goes empty as the car cools down, the coolant system will pull air in leaving an air bubble someplace in the system. That can lead to overheating.
As for the ongoing coolant smell - waterpump leaks can generally be seen from the front of the motor. They can also leak out the back, but you should see some dripping someplace.
Front crossover leaks - need to get a look down into the “valley” of the motor. There is a little space next to the oil filter - shine a light or shove a scope down in there if you have one. Leaked fluid dries up on that hot block, but you should see orange residue.
Rear crossover leaks - tough to see, but might spot it if you remove the skid plate and look up from the bottom. Check the plate for drips as well.
In my case, I had only the odor - no actual leaks. The front pipes were just starting to go, so only a little vapor was escaping.
As for the ongoing coolant smell - waterpump leaks can generally be seen from the front of the motor. They can also leak out the back, but you should see some dripping someplace.
Front crossover leaks - need to get a look down into the “valley” of the motor. There is a little space next to the oil filter - shine a light or shove a scope down in there if you have one. Leaked fluid dries up on that hot block, but you should see orange residue.
Rear crossover leaks - tough to see, but might spot it if you remove the skid plate and look up from the bottom. Check the plate for drips as well.
In my case, I had only the odor - no actual leaks. The front pipes were just starting to go, so only a little vapor was escaping.
jlglr4
Full Access Member
I think replacing all at regular intervals makes sense. The rear doesn’t seem to go out as quick, but when you have it apart, might as well do them all.
I don’t see this as a carry-a-spare situation. It would be really hard to do this repair in the field, and if you change at regular intervals, unlikely it’s going to give any problems.
I started getting prices for these SCV6 parts. My Portland, OR dealer is around twice what the Merriam LR parts web site quotes! So that’s a great tip already.
These two parts, however, are flagged on the web site as not compatible with the 2016 HSE.
adamsanta85
Member
Got my truck back today. Front manifold was shot, everything else was ok but replaced it all for peace of mind anyway. Damn mechanic didn't replace two of my coolant lines (the ones that go to the heater core) even though I supplied him with everything... claimed they looked OK... This is why I usually do everything myself.
