Hi guys, I bought a 2004 Disco with 44K miles on it. It looks and drives really well. One problem is that both valve cover gaskets are leaking. I'll try torquing them down first before I consider changing the gaskets. The Question is that I noticed that when I removed the oil fill cap I saw some dark oil deposits on the metal under the valve cover. I surmise that it's probably from oil sitting for long periods of time due to the infrequent use of the vehicle. Are there any procedures or additives that I can flush through (before I change the oil in the next couple of days) to help clean some of the varnish? Will frequent oil changes just dissolve the varnish over time? I also noticed that I hear the waterfall sound and the coolant level was below the cold line. I didn't see any signs of leaking coolant, white smoke, or overheating, but I did see that the throttle body heater is leaking a bit. I'm hoping that it was just loss over time and I will be able to bleed the system when I install the 180 stat (before I use the vehicle any more) and swap the coolant. Any other suggestions of where to look for loss of coolant other than in the oil when I change it? I'm planning on pressure testing it only after I flush and fill the system should I notice a loss of fluid again. Any suggestions are really appreciated.

 

You really should just replace the valve cover gaskets. As for the oil flush.. plenty of places provide that. Lots of these trucks have that dark varnish inside the engines, partly from infrequent oil changes. Just keep changing the oil every 3000 miles and use the proper oil. I personally use 10/30. Lots of guys use retell a 15/40.

For the coolant loss.. definitely change that throttle body heater. You may want to add a dye to the coolant that shows under black light... much easier to spot. Common places are the front or rear of the heads, the valley pan gasket, TB heater, and the pressure cap to name a few. You have the right idea about the pressure test. Just take your time. Don't necessarily need to be afraid to drive it.. unless you notice major coolant loss.

 

Okay, Update. Now keep in mind that I am somewhat mechanically inclined, but never owned a Land Rover so as you might be able to discern by the hour that I'm posting this, I am **** when it comes to my cars. I found a potential lead on the the coolant leak. I crawled under the car and found a cross member that had a few coolant drips on it as well as some lines above it that looked like they had some fluids on them as well (I think I need to change the oil pan and trans gaskets as well). It appears that the fluid is orangish coolant. I also found a non-stock hose (blue). I'm feeling that this is some type of trans cooler line leak? Please advise. Thanks again guys, I am so appreciative of forums that offer advice on fixes vs. my last forum which basically could only advise taking the car to the dealer, degree of window tint, and which rims were the ballerist.

 

Ok.. You may get lucky. You may not. That could be either the heater hoses, valley pan gasket, or the heads. Remember.. These things like to leak at the front or back of the head gaskets... There isn't a whole lot of gasket material there. I believe my 02 may be leaking similarly.. albeit not as bad.. but on the left side. Still haven't determined if it's the valley pan or head yet. I'm leaning towards headgasket because I am a pessimist.

I just got home from work btw.. I all morning poking the rover with sticks looking for broken stuff. Lol

 

Thanks Zeroone. I'll look into commercial flushes and try the dye before I rent a pressure tester. Luckily I have a senior VW tech that's well versed on all sorts of makes due to side jobs (unfortunately no so much Land Rover) but can help with larger jobs like head gaskets. I just want to make sure to do anything possible to maintain/repair the vehicle in the state that it's in right now before anything progresses into a bigger ordeal. Really, I just don't want to have the heads damaged to the point of needing to send them off or swapping them out. I've gone that route with one of my other cars and it was a real money, but more, time suck.

 

If you do need HGs, you should have the heads done regardless.. your discovery will not appreciate shortcuts and it will remind you of that. at least that's what I have been told and read. You are in the same boat I am. Except I've been wrenching for a long time. Never had to do any big jobs by myself though. I can usually figure things out. Except vubrations... I hate vubrations. They are beyond me. Lol

 

Do you think I should take it to a LR versed shop to at least diagnose it? I don't mind doing the repair, but hate when I repair the wrong thing. On a side note as well, we are having our first child in May and my wife is in the city have a girlfriend shower party. I'm up with my new 2004 mistress SE.

 

It never hurts to have an independent shop do the diagnosis for you. It will cost you, nobody works for free. Lots of owners do it. Most of those places know why you are asking for it. Dealer will shoot you in the knee cap and then ask if it hurts.

 

Oh. congrats on the baby! (not the rover)

 

Yeah, the dealership I worked with while my last car that I'm selling was under warranty, always had ridiculous warranty repair totals. Indy shops I took it to afterwards were always more reasonable. Thanks for the advise. I'll keep poking at this myself after a few undercarriage washes and see if I can source the problem. Any other input on this is always appreciated.