Overheating

[faisal_in_laurel]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and in need of your help.

I have a 1995 DIscovery with 174000 miles. The vehicle has been running great until recently.

Yesterday on the highway the temp gauge went to the high (Ususally at around the middle all the time). I took my foot off the pedal and started coasting at around 1700 rpm and the temp started dropping. I took the next exit to a fuel station. let the car sit for a minute and opened the cap of the Coolant expansion tank. The liquid inside looked brownish green and had a strong smell of either gasoline or oil. I purchased some coolant and mixed it with water and poured it in. It seem to take about a gallon to bring it to the correct level.

Then I started on my way home and it was ok as long as I stayed within 2000 to 2500 rpm. Any higher I could hear some gurgling noise from in front of the dash.

What could it be? I should also mention that I usually drive this vehicle only during winter and it did sit for a while. I have put 250 miles since and the oil was changed.

Thanks for your help.

Faisal in Laurel, MD.

 

[Moose]

Gurgling, IIRC, is air in the cooling system somewhere.

Is it a leak? Check your hoses and connections. 174K miles! -- it probably has one or more rotted hoses or bad clamps, which would be exacerbated by sitting idle for long periods of time...

 

[faisal_in_laurel]

Moose...Thanks for your prompt reply. I could not see any leak. There is no drip on or fluid on the drive way where I park it. I will visually go over the hoses again.

Now why would the coolant in the expansion tank have that brownish tint?

 

[ayavner]

Rust.
I would replace the hoses anyway, even if they look OK from the outside, they might be weak enough on the inside to not be able to withstand the pressure.

 

[discomike]

You have a blown head gasket, it is not a hose related issue.
Don't drive it much and get it to your mechanic for a head gasket leak test quickly.
Mike J.

 

[faisal_in_laurel]

That is interesting...But a blown head gasket will gave coolant mixing with oil and the the color of oil will look like cofee and slightly frothy.

But the color of the oil is clean.

I will start tearing up the engine this afternoon. Will keep you all posted.

 

[discomike]

I was basing my reply on your post where you stated the coolant was brownish green with a strong smell of gas or oil, and I stand by it after too many years in the business.
Good luck,
Mike J.

 

[faisal_in_laurel]

Mike..

I was not questioning your suggestion. Just stating my observation. It is really hard to show expressions on typed words.

I always value suggestions and points. And that is why I am here asking questions from you all who may have gone through possibly the same problems I have.

I will try to pull the head tomorrow. Gaskets are cheap but I ned to examine the condition of the head as well for cracks etc.

Any good (read cheap) parts source?

Thanks man.

 

[Moose]

Nathan at discountrovers.com; ummmm.....you could buy an engine off of lrx.com or somewhere and use it for parts?

 

[discomike]

Don't worry about pulling a head until you have someone test for the head gasket leak.
And I wasn't taking anything you posted wrong even if I came across sounding that way.
Good luck,
Mike J.