Block Test?coolant leak
 

Hi, I'm new to this site and wonder if any of you good people out there could help with a problem I'm having with my recently purchased 2001 Discovery 2 TD5 ES. I will try to keep it brief.

Bought car from a reputable local dealer, few days later experienced two instances of fans coming on after a short trip. Checked online and in the manual to see what this may mean. Advice was to check the coolant level. This I did and yes, it was low, so I topped it up several times and soon realised that there must be a leak somewhere as i was getting through quite a lot. There were no visual signs anywhere of any coolant and no smell. Took it to a local LR specialist who phoned me back within 2 hours to say that they could find no external leaks but that it had failed the 'block test' meaning it had to be an internal leak in the engine. Took it straight back to the dealer and asked him nicely to sort it out as I had been told by specialist that this could mean a cracked head or head gasket!! Lo and behold the dealer then comes back to me to say he took it straight to his specialist who found 2 tiny external leaks and also that it has PASSED the block test he had done. This is sort of what I was expecting to happen although I can't quite believe it. The dealer says he will show me the bill from his garage and their name etc, indicating that they have nothing to hide and nothing to gain by misleading me or covering up the truth.

So here's my question. How does it fail and then pass a block test? Is someone telling porkies? I feel my only option now is to take it to LR themselves and ask them to do a block test. I'm no mechanic and have never even heard the term 'block test', but it seems to me cars can only FAIL or PASS, but not both.

ok....this is easy to tell. Get a coolant pressure tester and apply pressure to the coolant system.Check your oil for contamination. If it is contaminated, then you have an internal leak. If that isnt the case,and it is external, you will find it. A clean engine bay is key but please, for the love of sweet baby jesus, dont use a hose to wash your engine down. Couple cans of brake cleaners, and some engine degreaser for the heavier stuff.
If you still cant find it then, take it to the dealer.

Thanks for that advice. As I say I am no mechanic so how on earth do I tell if my oil is contaminated or even do a coolant pressure test. What I really need the answer to is whether a car can fail and then pass the block test in the same week??

Can it fail then pass a block test - Anything is possible, but id be more inclined to say yes. All dependent on conditions that it was tested under, individuals doing the test, etc.

Coolant pressure tester is a part that you get from a parts store that you screw onto your coolant reservoir tank, (The same tank you added coolant to when you realised it was low) pump up the pressure and watch to see if it decreased over a set time. (I do it over a few hours) When you see one, you can figure out how to use it, its not that hard.

Contaminated oil looks like oil with water in it. Also, your oil should smell a little like diesel, not sweet. (try mixing a little motor oil with a little coolant and you will see exactly what im talking about)

Great stuff dgi.

X2
:D

If your serious about the truck, spend a few bucks and buy a decent coolant pressure tester. It is something good to have. I might pick one up myself actually looking at the amazon specials today....lol

Amazon.com: Stant 12270 30 Pound Cooling System And Pressure Cap Tester: Automotive

And here is the adapter you will need

Stant Part 12030

Which you can get here,

http://www.amazon.com/Stant-12030-Th...9960766&sr=8-3


So $120 for both (which would be the cost, minimum, to take it to a dealer).

Like dgi said, you hook it up, fill it with pressure and look for the leaks (they will be obvious at this point). Just giving ya some options. :D

thanks bro. Diagnostics is what I do everyday at work so its easy to help someone diagnose their problems. Just trying to help everyone out.

Sloan74

try harbor height I bought one a few months ago and it came with something like 12 different adaptors for screw on and twist on caps i think i paid $59 on sale

nice drow! I would not think twice for 59 bucks.
:D