5 minutes after starting up, still draining off like this:


I ordered a new bottle and bottle to TB heater player line - will install as soon as they arrive. Got the cooling system testing kit. Unsure how to use it exactly. First test radiator cap for 10 minutes at specified pressure? Then test system by connecting tester to expansion tank? Same PSI I’m guessing (around 20?) and how long would you test for?

 

Just before starting up, I filled the tank to the cold level. I ran it in park for 10 minutes or so. It didn’t stop draining. After 10 minutes it seemed like the expansion tank was really boiling up above the line and it started smoking probably from coolant burning off on hot parts of the exhaust. I shut off the engineat that point. The car’s gauge didn’t show it was overheating... yet. I don’t have an ultra gauge. Is that the one to get? Simple OBD II connector and it connects with Bluetooth or RF to the ultra gauge right? I guess I need that too? Money pit just opened up here...




After running 10-15 minutes and then shutting off, this is the bottle’s level.

 

There is a wired and a wireless version of the ultragauge. Don't be complaining about a money pit now... YOU are the one who bought a Land Rover.

 

I’m not complaining, just made a mention. I’ve had the other 1991 Range Rover since the early 2000s. I want to keep them both going.

 

I got the wired UG. I don't know much about the wireless. I think worst case for you is if you are pressurizing the coolant system via a head gasket issue with combustion gases. Does look like you are moving a lot of coolant out quickly. Mine only dripped with the leaks I described earlier and would take weeks to drop the level like yours did. Some get the kit that can detect combustion gasses in the coolant. I think its about $50.

 

Pull the cap off, send us a video of inside the tank from cold startup.

 

I’d been seeing some signs that it could be the head gaskets for a while, but wasn’t sure - not qualified to make that determination. I’ve seen the oil level dropping and more recently it looked like it was dropping much more rapidly. I’ve never overheated but could have happened before this vehicle came into my ownership. I’m sure it could benefit from the head gaskets job, but it looks gnarly... it’s mostly an issue with time for me, but I’ll do what I’ve got to do. The only real issue is that I’m not sure if the block itself needs work that I’d have to have a shop do like machining. I’ll see what the new bottle does, but I really doubt that’s going to do anything about this problem - who knows though. I’m not the one who would have any expertise here so I’m just doing what everyone suggests.

 

where are you located? You’ll want to find a good rover specific shop if you can. I do a lot of my own work but if I’m unsure, $100-$200 to my mechanic for diagnostic usually gets it figured out so I can find out what actually needs addressed if I’m stumped.

 

@neuropathy with that much coolant loss you might find a wet plug, scoping cylinder might show steam cleaning. You can also drop the oil into a clear clean container if there is coolant the oil will float above it.

 

Extinct, yes sir - I’ll get a video first thing tomorrow. Today was a marathon without wheels...

I’ll have to look into the testing kit dswilly mentioned.

I’m in Santa Barbara county in California. I don’t know anyone good here. There’s a British guy, Bob Jarrett Jaguar/Land Rover, but he doesn’t want to have anything to do with this vehicle or anything that’s more than 10 years old or so - he told me in the past and sold me a genuine LR cap for the expansion tank. Told me to check fluids weekly - I check them just about every drive.

I know three brothers and their father who have a general mechanical and muffler shop in Ventura county (an hour away). They’re not LR specialists by any means - most of their work is on Honda’s, Chevy trucks, other gangster wheels that apparently always need a Flowmaster. They can do some machining though - I’ve seen it. They’ve got a solid team and I’ve known them for about 20 years. I have the RRC stored about 3 blocks from their shop. I hope the D2 won’t wind up out there next.

It’s possible I could do the head gaskets in my driveway with all the tools, but it would probably take me a few days. My driveway isn’t flat and I couldn’t lift it up here - no concrete or asphalt, just gravel.

I just changed oil so I hope I don’t have to dump it - is it possible to determine if there’s coolant in it by just dumping a quart or so into a clear container? Hmm I’ll have to look into an endoscope. Maybe I can borrow (rent) one from an auto parts store. There’s oil all over everything so I’m not sure if that will affect a wet plug inspection.

Thanks everyone