Houston, we have a problem.

Well the PO put a new freeze plug (kit) in and the motor is still leaking. I thought he meant it was leaking from another freeze plug. He says now it's coming from the back of the engine somewhere. Also, now it only leaks when the water level is really high and/or when the engine is running.

Thoughts? Are there any coolant lines or heater hoses back there? I haven't been out to see it again. Maybe the intake manifold is leaking? Are there any freeze plugs on the back of the engine? He says it's coming from up pretty high but can't locate it. Help!!

Oh, thanks Paul. I'm sure I will be contacting you soon. ;-)

 

Intake manifold gasket if it's up high. Check intake bolts, see if they are loose (common).

 

Also called valley pan gasket. Sometimes a leak will be under the intake and drain out the back, might be able to see with a mirror, stuff paper towel under there to come back wet, etc. Also there is a water line that goes in/out of the throttle body, keeps that warm to avoid ice up in certain conditions.

 

Well I went out and fooled around with it some more. I think it's the head gasket on the pass side. It's very difficult to tell where it is coming from though but it's pouring out very quickly that's for sure. It's not going to be drivable. I still suppose it could be the valley pan gasket...maybe I'll get lucky. It seems much lower than that though.

 

You could use a coolant pressure tester loaned or rented by auto parts store, might make the hunt easier.

Also, se https://landroverforums.com/forum/ge...ors-pix-43768/ for a way to inject water into the cooling system from garden hose.

 

Thanks for the suggestions Sav. I'm not having any problems getting water to come out, I just fill up the reservoir and it comes pouring out. I never noticed it before because as soon as you put any water in it immediately poured out of the freeze plug on the driver's side. What is strange though is how well it runs and there is no water in the oil. I guess that's not always the case but this has to be a big gap because I have water shooting out (eng off) in a stream about the size of a pencil. I should have waited to see what happened after fixing the freeze plug before dropping the cash. At this point, at least I know I can break even with a call to the wrecker...

 

Would be great if some combination of flash light and inspection mirror on a stick could put the Mark 1 eyeball on that stream, or a cam corder held around there at various angles. Would not think it head gasket, that size stream exceeds the thickness of the gasket (assumes block and head have not been steam jet erroded). With water pouring out, can you feel around and find the spot that stop it? If need more water, fill up 2 liter soda bottle and up end it in coolant jug (assumes no assistant).

 

Yeah I'm going to try and get it home and take a better look. I even thought about cutting a viewing port out of the floor from the inside. Too bad I can't get the passenger door to open...that would make cutting the hole easier.

Truthfully I think it has to be the HG and/or possibly a crack. I can interrupt the flow of the water but can't stop it and there are jagged bits of gasket material (I think) sticking out of the engine in this area.

I think she's toast fellas. Wish we were closer so one of you guys could have a go at her. Pretty straight body, no rust and a matching set of factory wheels. Matt

 

C'mon, don't give up yet........JB Weld until you can ****** the head. If it's just the coolant port on the block or head it can be TIG'd, it only has to hold back 15 lbs of pressure at which point the tank cap will then do it's job. If (I hope) it's the gasket then both sides can be done properly for @$300 bucks. $600 bucks and a tank of gas is still under budget. The passenger door is probably a rod or the lock.

 

Thanks for the encouragement IHS! Once I get it home I hope to get a mirror and some better light on the subject and truly find the source of this leak. There's just no way I'm going to tackle a head gasket on this rig because of all the 'might-as-well's' (like water pump, timing set, etc). I'm sure I'll be way more into it than $300.

You have been to Whitefish, maybe you should come back for a visit and help me put this thing together? Oktoberfest is still going on... ;-)