This morning on my way into work I noticed the A/C was working very poorly in my 98 Disco. Once I got off the freeway and onto a regular surface street the car seemed to be running kinda sluggishly. As I continued on my way I started to feel something in the pedals that felt like I hit something and was dragging it. I pulled over to the side when I noticed the steam coming out of the hood. I got out and saw all of my coolant spilling out onto the shoulder of the road. After a few minutes, I popped the hood and began surveying the damage. After a few minutes it appears that there is a little crack in the lip of the lid on the expansion reservoir. I waited still a few more minutes and topped it off with water so I could continue the remaining two miles to my office where it drove fine. Nothing felt strange in the pedals, but the crack was still there and the water quickly boiled away and the temp gauge got up to the red line.

Does this crack sound like my only problem? Also, I called the parts place and they have to special order the reservoir and it’ll be in on Monday. Is there anything I can do to MacGyver it so I can get it home and work on it in my driveway (vs. at work)?

Thanks... Todd

 

Sounds like you have the old black coolant recovery bottle which Rover has long sinced with a white one that won't crack. Need to replace it, fill with coolan, bleed the system and hope no engine damage was done from shuting it down when it was throwing coolant.
The new bottle that you ordered, is it from Rover, if it is an after market bottle, cancel the order and get the whit one from Rover.

 

Thanks Mike, I will heed your advice. I haven't placed the order yet as the parts place requires payment up front on all "Special Order" items. I will get in touch with Land Rover and get the white replacement from them.

Do you advise against trying to patch it (with some Double Bubble or other type of epoxy) so I can get it back to my house? It looks like an easy part to replace, but I didn’t want to have to do it at work if at all possible.

Thanks…

-Todd

 

I wouldn't myself. These engines are very touchy when overheated. Very easy to drop a liner, then your block is toast......I wouldn't chance it...

 

OK, I’m not going to chance it then. I found a replacement at a Rover dealer and they have it in stock. It’s a few dollars more but if I don’t have a repeat of this issue then it is money well spent (not to mention that the part is in stock). Thanks for all the help.

 

I have found it's always nice to pay a few dollars to have it in your hands....Especiall coming from the dealer. Really, on most things, with shipping being so high, I just run to the dealer as I need things...

Good Luck!

 

Just curious how many miles you have on it.

 

Make sure you bleed all the air out of the engine after the replacement is done.

 

OK, I am now the proud new owner of a white expansion tank. The part went in really easily, only... the temp still hits red. I'm not sure what may be going on now. I dumped nearly 2 gallons of coolant into it (and none leaked out). Could there be something else going on like a stuck thermostat or something. Now, I did not bleed the air out. What would I need to accomplish that and would it solve my temperature issue? It's not very easy for me to try things either as it's sitting at my office about 45 minutes away.

98roverguy... it just graduated to 88,000 miles.

 

Don't drive it till you work out the overheating issue. Are you sure you have bled out all the air?
You might want to call me so we can get you past this.
303-862-7680
Colorado
Between 7 am and 8 pm