Hello --

Well, I've been leak-free for the past month or two after replacing the valve cover gaskets (the nut tightening thing wasn't working any more) and sealing the transfer case. Yesterday my wife was driving the Discovery, and parked it at a local Michaels. Apparently a little while later someone in the parking lot noticed that there was "smoke" coming from the hood and called 911. So, my wife (after being summoned by the FD inside the store) called me to come pick her up. I asked her if a engine temp warning light had come on, or if the temp gauge was in the danger zone. She said that a light definitely hadn't come on, but she wasn't sure about the temp gauge. My wife is generally pretty good about noticing things and it's a pretty short trip from our house to Michaels (3-4 miles) so it's possible that the truck hadn't gotten hot enough to overheat. It was late in the afternoon, and I was leaving for a business trip early the next morning so I drove over to pick her up, gather our things, and take a quick look-see. The coolant fill tank was 90% empty, there was liquid all over the ground and the sweet smell of antifreeze. Later that night I had our Discovery towed home, and then I had to leave for the airport 4am the next morning.

So, now that I've had some time to think about what went wrong (13 hour flight), and what type of fixes I might be looking at I was hoping to ask this forum for some opinions.

It's a 2003 LR Discovery with about 78K miles. Headgaskets were done about 3 years ago. Valve cover gaskets were done about 3-4 months ago. Coolant was flushed about a year ago, and hoses (the Atlantic British kit) and thermostat were changed at the same time. I've had zero cooling issues for the life of the truck (original owner).

I'm guessing that the reason for the "smoke" was the antifreeze dripping all over the hot engine. I was worried about it having overheated and seriously ruined something, but since the temp gauge wasn't past normal and the light didn't come on maybe it's still ok?

Here are the thoughts/questions I'm having:
1) My first guess as to the problem is a bad/rusted radiator. I searched on this forum, but couldn't find any similar posts that mirrored my experience. Not many people appear to be replacing radiators (head gasket is much more common of a problem). Plus, my truck is (relatively) new/low mileage for a bad radiator, right?
2) I'm guessing that it isn't the head gaskets because I think that just results in leaks, not complete voiding of the coolant system?
3) The only other option I can think of is some other hose failure? Maybe I didn't attach one as well as I thought and it worked it's way off. But.. strange that it would take a year to do so. I would think it would have failed right away.

As always, I appreciate the inputs from this community. Please let me know what you guys think. Unfortunately I can't take a good look inside until I get home in a week, and just thinking about it is driving me crazy!!!

Thanks,
RedAustinIX (Ed)

 

I would start with the throttle body heater hose's, if one of them came loose it will spill coolant all over and it will run down the drivers side of the engine onto the hot exhaust manifold and "smoke" (it is actually steam)as it boils off.

The person who called 911 needs a lesson in the difference between smoke and steam and a good swift kick to the head with a steel toe boot to help it sink in.

 

[fire marshal rant]You would need to do that to 90% of the population. And if you're volunteering, please mention that the talc used to pack airbags looks like smoke too, but it isn't.[/fire marshal rant]

 

Sounds like a bad hose somewhere, check all of your hoses, I'm sure you'll find the culprit.

 

I love it when people complain about being burned by the air bag going off in their car and saving their life and they want to sue the car company because they were burned by the air bag going off.
Really?
You are still alive but thats not good enough, man I hate stupid people.
So I am with you Daryl.

 

Hey guys -- I just wanted to say thanks for the responses. If it ends up only being a hose problem I'd be very happy (that's an easy fix!).

RedAustinIX (Ed)

 

Start by not guessing. Fill /bleed the system then do a coolant pressure test at 18 pounds for at least 15 minutes, then you will know where your problm lies.

 

Hey guys --

Well, I'm back in town and had a chance to take a look at the cooling system. I found the leak, but can't seem to identify what the part is (checked RAVE and AB/Rovers north). It's the part that the upper (left-end) of the plenum de-icer hose connects to. Please see two photos below:



Now, zooming in on the square above:


The yellow arrow is pointing at the area with the leak. You can see some congealed orange dexcool. It appears to be a plastic/rubber fitting. When I squeeze the coolant hoses I can see the antifreeze squirting out of this fitting.

So here are my questions:
1) Does anybody know what this part is? I couldn't find it on AB or RoversNorth.com
2) How difficult will this be to replace? Can I just unhook the throttle body and swap it out?

I've been super-busy with work, and given my non-technical nature I'm trying to decide whether this is a job I outsource to a mechanic. I did things like hoses, timing belt, etc. myself, but don't have a half-day free to play with things if it's going to be somewhat involved.

As always, thanks for your help!
RedAustinIX (Ed)

 

it looks like it is your throttle body gasket. Easy fix. Order the gasket, that is the toughest part. When you get it, take off the two hoses, take of the 3 or 4 bolts on the bottom of the throttle body, can't remember how many. Take out the gasket, put on the new one and reverse. Personally, I would think about changing out the two hoses and hose clamps but it is not necessary. The plastic hoses can become brittle and may break. Be careful. Again, I just changed mine out with new hose material and was good to go. Should take 10 minutes, but realistically, for the first time, maybe 30 minutes start to finish. Easy job, save yourself $200 and do it yourself. Easiser than changing the serpentine belt. Best of luck. Phil

1999 DI
2000 DII
2001 DII

 

There's a write up in the "Write Up" Section detailing the fix:

https://landroverforums.com/forum/sh...954#post153954