Hi, are the 03 and 04 discoverys subject to the head gasket problems that seem to befall all of the other Discovery IIs? I have seem some good deals on a few 03s and 04s but factoring in a head gasket repair adds about two grand to the equation. thanks Phil

01 Discovery II
99 Discovery I

 

yes but it is mostly due to the crappy DEXCOOL antifreeze that is put into the engine and cooling system from the factory. DEXCOOL is better for the environment but not so great for gaskets as the chemical properties in DEXCOOL change in time and will eat away at the material in a head gasket and weaken them.

your options are to either keep using DEXCOOL but swap it often (2 years). or flush and swap to a traditional green anti freeze like most people do. its not good to pour in the gutter, but it wont kill your head gaskets like DEXCOOL will.

 

Yes, they are all prone to getting their head gaskets replaced at least once, after that you are usually fine.
By the way, Dexcool is not the cause of the head gasket failure. Talk to anyone who has used Dexcool after replacing their gaskets and they haven't lost a second set. Our head gaskets don't get pitted ot etched because of Dexcool like some other engines have, like the Jeep 4.0 which ate head gaskets because of piting from electrolics and coolant issues.

 

While DexCool may not be the root of all the head gasket problems it surlly does not help.

It is corrosive IF it is not properly maintained or if it becomes contaminated.

http://sancarlosradiator.com/dex-cool.htm

http://sancarlosradiator.com/dex-cool_pics.htm

Everybody can come to their own conclusions, but mine are not to use it.
(I used to sell bulk coolant and had to take a 4 hour class on engine coolants and the good and bad of them, DexCool was def a bad)

EDIT:How do we know that these people who have done head gaskets wont have any more problems if they stay with DexCool?
Head gaskets go bad around 80k, who still has their truck at 160K?
I'm am asking because I do not know the answer to this.

 

I agree, Dexcool must be changed every 2 years, that is a must.
To say it will cause the head gaskets to fail, not if the truck is maintined properily.
Based on my few years with Rover, the general concensus was once the gasket were replaced with some of the newer gaskets they were not as prone to failing again, that is also what a few of our local shops are seeing also.
It would be interesting to do a survey and see who have had to replace their head gaskets twice, not because of improper installation but from actual mileage/coolant failures.

 

my gaskets were replaced at 50K when they replaced the short block. Have not been touched since, and @ 180K I need to do them again. I have slight oil seepage, and an occasional drip of coolant by the #1 cylinder. I don't think I will mess with them. I have another long block I am getting built up and I will just do a full swap when it finally gives up the ghost. I will let you know how long it lasts.