coolant leak

[murfburg63]

02 DISCO II, 81,000 miles. Just spent $1400 having intake and head gaskets replaced, took the truck on a 700 mile trip and had no problems. Yesterday, however, took it about 100 miles out of town and on the way back noticed the truck shuddering a bit, I was close enough to get home. Looked under the truck and noticed coolant dripping from the frame crossmember under the transmission. Took it back to the mechanic (had it towed) and he said it is probably the heater core. Would this cause the shudder? What am I looking at as far as time wise to replace it myself?

 

[greg409]

heater core won't cause shudder in my opinion, but leaking headgasket will.

If it's leaking into combustion chamber, engine will misfire.

If he's so sure, make him guarantee in writing that it'll fix it.

If a head gasket is bad again, (at the back) it can easilly leak down the trans towards the rear.

Did he warranty the head gasket job?

It's unfortunately not uncommon for unscrupolous shops to blame something else for a poor job they did, if that's the case.

luck,greg

 

[murfburg63]

After speaking with him again, he did say the shudder is most likely another problem. He did guarantee his work and said he would check all gaskets he replaced to verify he did not miss anything.
I do have a sneaky suspicion the u-joints may be causing the shudder.

 

[Disco Mike]

All he needs to do is a coolant pressure test to find the leak. The leak, if also internal could cause the engine to run rough, was the checke engine light on, if so get the codes read.
Let us know what you find.

 

[greg409]

I'm sure Mike will agree, a U-joint on the front of a DII is cause for immediate concern.

If it lets go, (it will) it usually takes the trans out with it.

It is possible that your "shudder" is the ujoint if it shudders only while driving.

As Mike said "let us know" as these forums are a "brain bank"


luck,greg

 

[murfburg63]

I misspoke, the valve gasket and plenum gaskets were replaced.
He checked it and said the head gasket at #7 cyl is leaking. He hasn't done a pressure check. He said it maybe best to get rid of it at this point. I need some guidance.

 

[murfburg63]

Mike,
The check engine light was not on.

 

[greg409]

Do you know how he determined #7 cyl was leaking?

Was the spark plug sparkling clean compared to all the others?
Are you noticeably losing coolant?( other than the drip)

The ujoint rebuild might be as much as $300

The head gasket (teardown required to be sure), may be another $1400 out of your pocket.

You will, although, have just fixed the two most common jobs on a DII, in my opinion.

luck,greg

 

[murfburg63]

U-joints re done, cost $200 parts and labor, I bought the parts and removed and replaced the prop shaft. He used an inspection camera to determine where the leak was coming from. I'm going to do most of the teardown and rebuild at his shop to save on labor.
He did say that after the gasket repair and machining of the heads the radiator will probably go next. Anything else I should expect?

 

[Disco Mike]

For $1400 he should have done the head gaskets also, he got you.
The 2 gaskets he replace will normally cost you around 4 hours labor and under $100 in parts so go hold his feet to the fire on this one.