Agree...these two areas are most suspect. Rule these out...and then...we can go code yellow (head gaskets).

Brian.

 

Have you considered fixing it yourself?
Having an engineering degree overqualifies you to work on a D2. The whole thing is simple to work on, and 99% can be done with basic hand tools.
If you need tools, their cost will be far less than shop labor. If time is a problem, I understand, but it has been untouched by shops for several weeks now already.
You can be completely LR illiterate(which your not), follow the instructions here and in the Rave, and do the head gaskets and timing cover/waterpump gaskets in a weekend. With fluids, you're talking $300-$400 in parts, U.S.
Go for it!!!
You can do it!!

 

No word yet - I drive by everyday and poor Bertha is parked behind a dumpster They have at least five Rovers in their parking lot - thinking I'm fairly low on the list? Hopefully I'll know more soon. Thank you for asking though - it's nice to have support

 

Haha.. I appreciate the vote of confidence (but)...I think my husband would have a freak out fit if I tore the engine all apart in the garage. My biggest fear is that I'd get it all apart and wouldn't remember how to put it back together - even if I took photos! SERIOUSLY. And the other thing that I'm afraid of is not being able to get bolts off or snapping something in the process.

I haven't ruled anything out yet. Time is difficult right now as the company I work for is going thru restructuring (mass lay-off and skeleton crew), and I also have a shop in town that demands my time, which I feel guilty for not having the time for as of late. I know that everyone is busy and it really depends on how much one wants to spend or how fast one wants their Rover back on the road.

My discipline is environmental engineering which is based on civil engineering, geology and environmental science. Although my coursework included dynamics, statics, physics, mathematics, thermodynamics, etc... it was very light on the mechanical side. I've always had much admiration for those who feel comfortable in their mechanical abilities. You state that it would take a weekend.. I think for me it may take a couple of months?... I don't mean to sound like a namby but when I had the head gaskets replaced in my garage five years ago, by a fellow forum member, it looked intimidating. I just remember how hard it was to remove the heads and all of the huffing and puffing trying to remove bolts in the back of the engine, etc. I'm not saying that I can't do it.. I'm saying that I may have a mental breakdown in the process haha..(a lot of tears and cursing like a sailor)

If it isn't the front cover, how would I determine if it's the intake manifold gasket?

 

A simple pressure test that apparently nobody has done yet???

 

Apparently no one in Traverse City knows how to do it.. including me

ARGH.. guess I need to read up on pressure tests and find out where the intake manifold gasket is and what the intake manifold looks like..

at least I can laugh over the silly matter.. in the grand scheme of things it's all relative.

 

I totally understand the time thing.
And I have friends that are civil and enviromental engineers, as well as friends and family who are mechanical engineers.
Point being, skills transfer.
Can it be a frustrating job? Noooooo, lol.
Could you do it bit by bit in your garage?
Absoloutely.
So, you forget where something goes. Post a picture, someone here can help. As much of a love/hate relationship as I have with my D2, I'm still impressed with it's overall design, and how easy it is to work on, especially compared to the majority of vehicles out there.
Since you're so personally attached to your D2, I think your fear and frustration would turn to excitement as you figured it out and saw progress.
And you get bonus points for being a car girl, lol.

 

You're very convincing sixpack Never say never!

 

WOW such B$ that these shops are putting you through!
Do the techs eyes just gloss over when you mention a pressure test (basic or leak down)? Diagnostically, it doesn't get easier than that.

If you haven't already, have a look at these 2 vids for info re: intake manifold gaskets, head gaskets, etc.
Even if you NEVER touch this engine yourself you will have very good idea of the lay of the land.

Start the 1st vid at about 23:30 to see the upper intake manifold and gasket. Then jump to about 40:15 to see the lower intake manifold gasket(valley pan gasket).

 

Maybe this guy can recommend someone. A triple A Gold Membership will get you a 200 mile tow.

http://aluminumv8.com/

I have a typed list of steps/tools and materials I used to do my head gaskets recently. I plan to do a HG Job post-mortem Blog after a year. I also took notes, because I had noticed how many loose ends the mechanic who did my HG's/Turner Motor Install skipped. The Coilpacks were unatached, a heater pipe was loose, and a few other things as well.

It's not easy, but it is not rocket science either. You'd be able to invest the labor $$$'s into refreshing the cooling system and ignition/engine management system as well. Upgrade to the studs and even the cometic gasket.

The problem is that a lot of shops don't do this work very often, and when you have mechanics that make their money off of brake jobs etc. this work is not only time consuming, but dirty and risky. It may not work. Also, they are used to customers wanting this done ASAP so they rush necessarily. You need a mechanic that knows what he/she is about, takes pride in their work, and will give you a product they will be proud of. Not easy to find.

When they get to it, I recommend you get whatever parts you want yourself from Lucky 8 or Rovers North as they gaurantee parts for a year, and make them follow the RAVE.