Just wanted some feedback on this one. I have to top off the coolant every now and again. No visible leaks, no foam/milky substance in the oil, no moisture build up or sweet smell coming from the heater core. Does this issue revolve around the head gaskets?? White smoke comes out of the exhaust when ever she is initially started but disappears once its warm. To my knowledge I don't think the head gaskets were ever replaced, water pump was though around 100k. Second owner, not sure how to get any information on previous records would come in handy though. Oh and she currently has 221k on the clock. If the head gaskets are suspect, is it smart to replace them now? Or wait until I can get my hands on a used engine and then rebuild the original? Thoughts and or comments greatly appreciated.

 

IMHO rent or borrow a pressure tester for the coolant system from a parts store. Pump up to 15 PSI and let it sit. Leak may manifest itself, could be external from any number of hose clamps. Could be start of HG, many have failed a lot sooner. You can also introduce a green dye to the coolant, and check spark plugs for flecks of green.



I like the idea of getting a used low miles motor and rebuilding yourself in the garage (HGs, oil pump, timing chain, maybe even main bearings). There are a number of Discoveries with 200,000+ miles. Not too many with 300,000. So tossing a lot of effort into an engine at the end of the life cycle might not be a good idea. By doing work on a separate block yourself you keep driving the truck while build up goes along between maintenance requests from SWMBO. Of course you can take an older block and do a complete overhaul.

If rebuilding consider pinning the cylinder liners to prevent slipped sleeve.

 

If it needs head gaskets just do the head gaskets and be done with it.
Your engine should last 300k with proper oil changes, same with the rest of the truck.
Plopping good money into a used engine to put into a truck that is 3/4 of the way through its life is throwing good money after bad.

 

Thought I'd update on my situation. Good news is I didn't need to rent a pressure tester. Bad news is I followed the little green trail back to it's source. The HG's are leaking from the front at a minimal rate. My dilemma is I do not have a garage and only one Rover to drive around with. And this certainly wont be an easy job since everything is so old on her. I posted some pics of where the leaks are coming from incase other people might want to know. The pic of the fan cowl being eaten away by the belt is interesting. Does that mean the motor mounts may or may have not been replaced?

 

Do a coolant flush, change the t-stat and add a bottle of K-Seal and dont worry about it.

 

Our 1997 was using antifreeze due to bad head gaskets.
The antifreeze went into the engine via the V.
The antifreeze also went out the cylinders into the CATS and ruined them
and ruined the O2 sensors.

I would replace the headgaskets as soon as you can.
We made it to 133,000 miles and had coolant usage and dead cats
with a CEL at 133,000 miles.

Replaced head gaskets.

Now 167,000 or so and all is good.
But, I want to replace the main bearings and rod bearings
as I feel the antifreeze in the oil did some harm.

here is the head gasket job on the 1997.

1997 Land Rover replace catalytic converter and head gaskets

 

Going off the advice given so far which is very helpful, I will throw some K-Seal in today as a temporary solution. Being that I have 220k on the clock and no other rover to run over things with, I am not sure I want to take on the HG's just yet. If I manage to find another Disco at the right price right miles, or an engine to rebuild, then I will tear apart the top half and do the job right.

For Now:
Engine Oil = Very clean (Running Rotella 5/40 Synthetic) picked it up at Walmart for $12

Keeping an eye on coolant and composition of the oil

Thank you all for the advice and the links for reparing the HG's. I will update on the K-Seal at some point.