At least I know I'm not alone . . .

[jlgagnon]

Hello, all.

As an owner of a 2001 Disco II, I'm finding this forum to be a source of much relief and more than a little helpful info. I'm struggling with Los Tres Amigos along with everyone else, it would appear, and am also enjoying the heady scent of coolant whenever I dismount from the vehicle. She's losing very, very little coolant, I'd say a pint a month, and my mechanic has identified a slight leak around the timing chain cover. I wonder if anyone might have an opinion re: the seriousness of this issue, as an annual trip involving 120 or so miles of Ontario logging roads is approaching, and if this is something which may make the trip more of an adventure than I'm up for, I'd like to know. Thanks in advance.

While I'm here, I'd like to nominate my (not-so) local Stealership for some class of award.
For the last two years, on the rare (but not rare enough) occasion when I've had to drop in for good coffee and over-priced car washes, they've attempted to sell me a combination head gasket/valve job for the low, low price of $4400 USD. This for a Disco with 83 K on her. My local mechanic has dissolved into gales of laughter upon reading the estimates, followed closely by bouts of self-recrimination for his failure to take that career path.

Thanks for your attention.

Mike

 

[joey]

Owning a LR is like having a new family member that you enjoy having over for drinks and fun. Just keep in mind like all family members you have once it a while they will cost you some money and time.

 

[Chongo]

At least I know I'm not alone . . .

Hello, all.

As an owner of a 2001 Disco II, I'm finding this forum to be a source of much relief and more than a little helpful info. I'm struggling with Los Tres Amigos along with everyone else, it would appear, and am also enjoying the heady scent of coolant whenever I dismount from the vehicle. She's losing very, very little coolant, I'd say a pint a month, and my mechanic has identified a slight leak around the timing chain cover. I wonder if anyone might have an opinion re: the seriousness of this issue, as an annual trip involving 120 or so miles of Ontario logging roads is approaching, and if this is something which may make the trip more of an adventure than I'm up for, I'd like to know. Thanks in advance.

While I'm here, I'd like to nominate my (not-so) local Stealership for some class of award.
For the last two years, on the rare (but not rare enough) occasion when I've had to drop in for good coffee and over-priced car washes, they've attempted to sell me a combination head gasket/valve job for the low, low price of $4400 USD. This for a Disco with 83 K on her. My local mechanic has dissolved into gales of laughter upon reading the estimates, followed closely by bouts of self-recrimination for his failure to take that career path.

Thanks for your attention.

Mike


No, you’re not alone, My cousin and my wife’s Land Rover have one thing in common, they only stop by for money…….



and am also enjoying the heady scent of coolant whenever I dismount from the vehicle. She's losing very, very little coolant, I'd say a pint a month, and my mechanic has identified a slight leak around the timing chain cover. I wonder if anyone might have an opinion re: the seriousness of this issue, as an annual trip involving 120 or so miles of Ontario logging roads is approaching, and if this is something which may make the trip more of an adventure than I'm up for, I'd like to know. Thanks in advance.

Loosing coolant is serious, especially this engine.

Possibilities:

1: Failed timing cover gasket

2: Failed water pump gasket

3: Failed water pump

4: Failed timing cover housing

5: Failed hoses

6: Failed intake manifold or gasket, or both

7: could be other things as well, pressurized water tends to squirt out some times,
there fore it could be the radiator too.



If the coolant system cannot pressurize, then water that cools it boils @ 212 degrees, this is not good, steam doesn’t cool the engine especially since the thermostat is set to 190 - 195 degrees F this doesn’t leave much room for error. A sealed engine that holds pressure can keep the water from boiling to 230 – 240 degrees depending on the radiator cap pressure release factory setting, i.e. 12 lb or 18 lb etc.

If you need further assistance, let me know…… Chongo

 

[jlgagnon]

Thanks for the response, Chongo. I've read a number of your posts, and have found them very helpful, particularly with regard to The Amigos. A quick question for you: do you think the dealer's trying to cover a boat payment with the push for the valve job, or might there be something to this? It was first pushed on me two years ago, then no mention made on next 3 visits, and, Hey Presto! another pitch the last time. Should also mention that pitch has come within 15 minutes of Disco being escorted into service bays.

Thanks, bud.

Mike

 

[Chongo]

Thanks for the response, Chongo. I've read a number of your posts, and have found them very helpful, particularly with regard to The Amigos. A quick question for you: do you think the dealer's trying to cover a boat payment with the push for the valve job, or might there be something to this? It was first pushed on me two years ago, then no mention made on next 3 visits, and, Hey Presto! another pitch the last time. Should also mention that pitch has come within 15 minutes of Disco being escorted into service bays.

Thanks, bud.

Mike


Well, right now the country is in a slight recession and most companies are trying everything they can to get some kind of cash flow. { I know the Gov. facilities are working overtime on violation and code enforcement fees, Bad timing if you ask me, it just takes more money out of the system, and make the Recession worse.} While there might be some merit to this, I would tend to say ,according to your post, that your Rover and my Rover and my cousin are all falling into the same bad habits.
I’m concerned about the coolant leak and it could be from serious to not so serious. I would take it to someone, a friend who has a radiator pressure checker, and have it pressurized to find where the leak is coming from, remember, part of the check here is to find if the head gasket is leaking into the combustion chambers, so do this check with all plugs removed. A cylinder leak
down test I recommend as well. I would also perform a compression check of all 8 cylinders, for cylinder uniformity. This may be cured with a few dollars of alumaseal, I’m not sure.

Q&A http://www.goldeagle.com/alumaseal/faqs_alumaseal.asp

Product: http://www.doityourself.com/invt/0931964


Since the vehicle is not here for me to diagnos, all I’m looking at is my computer screen, and It’s difficult to really steer you in the right direction without more information. My old posts on ABS systems should cure your warning light problems 95+% of the time.

The leak down test and compression test will tell you if it is necessary to pull the heads or not.
The pressurized radiator check will tell you where your coolant
leak is.

If you need more help, feel free to ask……..
Chongo