I have a 1998 Land Rover Discovery with the 4.0 and every time I start it and it runs for more than a minute it starts leaking out of the expansion tank. When I got the vehicle it had no thermostat in it and after putting one in there is still little pressure in the system other than the expansion tank. Can the routing of the two small hoses that come out of the radiator, one going to the expansion tank the other to the throttle body, have any affect on the system. Or is the simple answer to get a new expansion tank and go from there? Any help would be appreciated.

 

The black expansion tanks are prone to splitting. There is a newer tank that is white in color and the black tanks should be replaced with the white ones available from Rovers North, Atlantic British, and possibly other Rover parts suppliers.

 

Thanks for the response, the white one is the one which I have found online and will order it asap. Thanks again.

 

Order a new cap while you are at it....AB sells the expansion tank and the cap as a kit..

 

And get a brass plug to replace that plastic one on the radiator.

 

Apparently I am lucky because it already has the brass but it does need a new gasket. I will definetly be in contact with any further questions as I hope to get my Rover to do what your's is doing in that pic.

 

I believe the two small hoses at the top of the radiator are not specific in routing, they seem to open into a common space. I use teflon tape on my brass plug in the radiator. If your vehicle had no stat, might mean the previous owner had serious overheat problem, can come from lots of things. Upper hose should get firm, but not rock hard, when up to normal temp. Good idea on new tank cap, they go bad with age.

Keep in mind that once you fix the cap and tank, the cooling system will have more pressure. Be prepared for more leaks from new places, that is to say - test drive locally before taking off for Daytona.

 

YOU SHOULD PLAN ON REPLACING ALL THE HOSES JUST TO BE SAFE.

I recently replaced the heater hoses on mine when I replaced the alternator. The little short hose from the rigid curved pipe into the motor was severely cracked and was beginning to weep. I ended up deleting that short poece of curved pipe and ran a single piece of hose from the motor to the firewall as trying to get a short piece in proved to be difficult. I don't understand why they used that rigid pipe loke they did.

Before replacing the heater hoses, I would have slight seepage of antifreeze colledct on top of the water pump, after replacement, this has not occurred.