How bad was the gasket? Was it obvious when you took it apart. I have a leak from the same location. Here is hoping that mine is only the vc too.

Scott

 

No, it was not obvious....very difficult to detect. It was a small stream that was coming over the transmission bell housing...slightly to passenger side.

I tried all types of ways with mirror, lights...climbing on the engine....from under the engine....every which way possible to see the source, but couldn't see it.

I took my DII to an excellent Indy shop in Atlanta (The Shop)...they put it on a rack and lifted it to get a better look for the source. We were not able to 100% verify that it was from the VG...but the mechanic told me that coolant leaks like mine (coming over the bell housing) were 9 times out of 10 the VG, and that they did not see further signs that it was from the HG.

So as I cracked the engine to change the VG, I was taking somewhat of a leap of faith with the input from the mechanic at The Shop. In my case, he was spot on....small leak at the back corner. At the end of the day...when all was put back together...no more coolant leak. I guess I will have another 20K-25K miles of rest before doing it again (at least that has been my track record with VG todate).

 

Wow, just signed on today and you have described my exact leak. I have been losing coolant for a week and could not find the source, actually I have only observed this leak once and it is exactly as you guys have described it. Otherwise I have lost coolant and have never seen telltale signs and have not seen any leak, whether it was running or had just shut it off.
Where and what is the valley gasket? Also would something like Blue Devil or ThermaGasket get me through another month until I am able to repair it.

Guapo2004, I am in Columbus Ga and go to Atlanta often, what is this Indy shop you are talking about? I took my truck to a import shop here in Columbus and they charged me $200 to tell me they could not find the leak.


2003 Discovery II 109,000 miles

 

I have just read most of the threads on coolant leak/overheating problems... I wish I had done this when my '93 County was blowing coolant out everywhere.
These things really truly are POS on wheels.
I'm going to disconnect heater first. Hopefully it's a hose back there. If it still leaks I'll do the blue devil. If that doesn't work I'll do the t-stat mod. Hopefully I can drive until I have the $2000 to do the gaskets, but then is that even worth it? Should I go ahead and pull it and replace the sleeves and all that?
I am on Ft Benning and there is a soldiers craft center where I can use tools and it has a lift, but I can't leave it there for days and having only minor experience (starters, fuel pumps) working on chevy 350s I'm reluctant to dive in with just a manual.
I'll post updates. Great forum.

 

Thanks for the response. I am trying to get everything together to pull the intake off(plugs/wires). Hopefully it is only the vc gasket, but if not I wil go farther and do hg too.

Thanks,

Scott

 

Just a FYI, if you use the Blue Devil you will be buying a radiator and heater core as well as fix your leak the correct way.
To do the head gaskets yourself will cost you $500 in parts.
You have access to a good well supplied shop, buy the parts, get your buddies together as well as the instructor and order some pizza and tear into it.
Download the RAVE manual and have it handy.
Working by yourself during the day it would take you a long weekend to do the work.
Hell man, 2 lesbians were on here last year and it took them a week and they never even changed engine oil in a car before.
A push rod V8 is a push rod V8, whether it be a Chevy, Ford or Chrysler.
Remove the hood, remove the intake, remove the heads.
Install new parts and put it back together.
Here is what you will need.
http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/STC4082BK.cfm
http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/9224.cfm

My son is going to Ft Benning in Jan.

 

Columbus,
The Indy shop I am talking about is "The Shop" in Norcross, GA (just north of the I-85 & N-285 juncture). They are a reputable and I found them to be a very good shop...whenever, I had a job that was over my head or that I didn't want to mess with...they are the place that I go in Atlanta. Just search engine "Norcross rover repair The Shop"...they will come up.

I don't want everyone to think that it will be the VG (vs. HG). I feel very fortunate that it turned out to be the VG...something that I could repair myself, on a Saturday. I think you need to be prepared for it to be the bigger HG job, and if its VG...consider yourself fortunate...I do.

 

Hey I've got the same leak coming over the bell housing. I'm thinking about trying to dive into this myself, but have limited mechanical skills. How hard is it to replace the VG on a 2004? Is this something I should try myself, or will I be in over my head?

 

Spike and Guapo, thanks for the detailed responses.
I now have water in my oil, 10 miles after Sports Imports in Columbus had it overnight and couldn't find anything wrong with it.
I think I'm just going to have it towed to The Shop and have it fixed right. Anything else I should have replaced while it is apart? Any 100,000 mile plus preventative maintenance that Discoverys need?

Spike, I know I could do it, but honestly I've only been home from Iraq for a month, I am on leave, have things planned and just don't have the mental energy or desire to try to tackle a first time gasket job, besides I'd feel more secure having a labor warranty...I've heard horror stories about the gaskets not seating right etc and then you're right back where you started.

Thanks for the link to the parts and the manual however.

I'll post for reference the outcome and costs. It may be a month or so.

Thanks again.

 

Is this his first duty station? Benning, well Kelley Hill specifically, has all new barracks and buildings, it's one of the nicer posts in the army.