Our month-old (to us) 2003 Discovery just started making what I can only describe as a "liquidy" noise from what seems to under the front passenger side (near the transfer case). It's almost imperceptable while coasting in neutral, but is very noticeable while accelerating from a slow speed (at higher speeds I assume the wind noise is drowning it out). [The sound seems like liquid rushing through pipes - similar to what you might hear if you have forced-hot-water heating system that starts recirculating water through your pipes].

There is some seepage from the transfer case, but no major leaks.

I'm assuming bring the truck to our mechanic is a good next step, but I'm trying to figure out if we should drive it (it's about 50 miles) or get it towed.

Any assistance/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

You have air in your coolant system. Check the level in your resivoir when the truck is cold. Be very careful not to overheat. These have aluminum heads and block, and you can drop a liner very easily if you get too hot. luss, the head gaskets are weak and very prone to blowing.

 

Wow, talk about a fast response! Thanks, heading out to driveway to check coolant now (assuming it's not too hot).

 

That was it. Coolant still in expansion tank, but not that much (well below the fill mark).

Now that I think of it, after driving the truck last week I did see drops of something hitting the exhaust (believe just past the cat, but can't recall exactly). I smelled the small puddle that formed - didn't have the characteristic antifreeze odor so I thought it was just AC.

Truck hasn't overheated (at least since we've owned it), but the fact that the coolant is low and there have been no puddles in our driveway makes me a little nervous that the cause of the leak isn't something simple like a loose fitting.

We did find a high recommended local Land Rover specialist, so looks like I'll be topping off the coolant and meeting him...

 

Jim,

On the upper radiator hose, there is a small plastic plug at a connector that will take aflat or phillipshead screwdriver (pic attached). When the engine is cool, remove that plug and make sure that you have coolant up to that level. This will help ensure that all of the air is out of the system.

It may not need a trip to the mechanic just yet. It's worth topping off the coolant for now and watching the coolant level very closely- check it every morning for a couple of weeks, and then at regular intervals thereafter. Also check the oil every day for a while andkeep an eye out for brown foam on the dipstick. If the cylinder head gasket(s) are leaking coolant, the coolant level will continue to drop. As the combustion gases escape from the cylinder(s) through the leaking head gasket, thecoolant jacket around the cylinder bore(s) will likelybe leaking coolant either to the outsideof the engine, the combustion chambers,or the engine oil, depending on where the gasket is leaking.

The liquid dripping near the catalytic converter is very likely condensate from the airconditioning system, as you suspected.

Dave

[IMG]local://upfiles/6986/65B16980C13148D0860B1A8F1C64D298.jpg[/IMG]

 

Thanks for the tip (and picture). I must say, I've been on a lot of forums over the years dedicated to specific brands of cars (dating back to USENET newsgroups in the early 90s), but I've never received such prompt (and helpful) responses as I have on this one. Thanks everyone!

I'll top of the coolant today and keep checking the oil. If the coolant level isn't up to plug in the upper radiator hose, should I add more coolant at that plug?

James

 

Just checked the oil - it was barely registering on the dipstick (it was full a few weeks ago). Would a combination of low coolant/low oil be an indicator of a leaking head gasket? Will definitely be checking both coolant and oil daily....

 

Jim,

Glad to help. I should have mentioned that my advice applies generally to most cars with a possible cylinder head gasket leak. Others will probably offer addirional advice specific to the Land Rover.

You can add coolant at that plug but I'll bet you won't have to. As for the oil, watch out that you're not reading the brown blob of plastic on the tip of the dipstick as the oil level. It sure confused me once.

Dave

 

A couple of thoughts. Once you fill up your coolant and have bled out the air from the system, then you need to find where the coolant is leaking from, if after spending some time and really looking hard for a coolant leak and you don't find one then it is off to a shop to have the coolant system pressure tested to find and repair the leak.
Also, either you mis read your oil dip stick, or didn't check it when it was cold, bu you shouldn't loose that much oil in a week. need to stay on top of your engine and it's services.
Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

jmcelroy, I was just noticing my 00 Disco making the same liquid sound in the passenger side dash & looked at the coolant level & its almost empty. Is there a certain kind of coolant that I should use? (ie I have BMW coolant...Does it matter if I use this for my disco?) Thanks for all great info guys. I'm amazed at how helpful & how quickly everyone responds. Thanks

Guillermo