Hello. This is my first posting to the Land Rover forums, but I frequent the site a lot. A quick thank you to all of the experts who post very useful information and how-to's. Even with the Rave manual, your insights make every job much easier. Now, to the matter at hand.


I have a 2001 Disco II with 167k miles. It was just diagnosed with a blown head gasket by my local mechanic. This is the second head gasket (first one replaced at 91k). I have an estimate of $3,100 for a used engine replacement but I am not sure its worth it. I can't afford to put a brand new engine in it. The truck is in very nice condition for its mileage and I have replaced a lot of things over the last two years (see list below). So, I have a few questions.


1. Does it make any sense to consider a used engine?
2. If not, what could I expect to get out of the car if I were to sell it to a salvage yard or third party (understanding there is limited info on the car posted here). KBB condition would be considered Good.
3. Are there any other engines that could be considered as replacements (realize additional fabrication might need to be done). And if so, does that then pose an emissions issue (reside in NC).


This is my second LR, the first one being an 88 RR Classic. I would like to find a Classic as a replacement, but want to make sure I have exhausted all options on the Disco first, considering the amount of recent work done to the car.


Again, thanks for any and all responses, and for all of the great advice that has been shared on this forum.


Recent work (last 12-18 months):
New steering box, drag link, track rod w/ tie rod ends
New tires all four corners, new pads and rotors on front
New Bilstein shocks on all four corners and steering damper
New drive shaft (with grease fittings)
New plugs and wires
New thermostat
Misc other bits and bobs.


Thank you.

 

why wont you do gaskets again, you got 80k miles out of them?
you wont get anything for a truck with 160k needing head gaskets.

 

According to my mechanic, there is no way to determine if the block (not head) is warped without taking the block out and sending it to someone to have it checked. Also, not much difference in cost and that point. Last gasket job in 2008 cost $2,900. I was surprised that the block could warp. Is that BS?

 

I would check around NC for someone else $2900 in 2008 for head gaskets was dealer prices. three years ago i quote 3k from a dealer.
You can purchase complete rebuilt heads gaskets and bolts for $600, find someone to put them on for you.

 

If you know you have a blown head gasket, then you don't need to replace the engine, just the head gaskets.
However, if the shop tested the block for leaks, and it does leak, then yes, you need a new engine.

First make sure that you have a head gasket/block leak. If you are loosing coolant or if your oil looks like a latte, then there is an issue. White smoke from the tailpipe is also a sign of a head gasket leak.

If your engine is toast, then $3100 is not bad for a REBUILT engine, not used. (But that's just my opinion)
Some people have also put in the 5.3 and 4.8 chevy LS in and it works fine. (I think someone made a write up on that) That would probably be cheaper that a rover v8 because those engines are pretty much in every junkyard.

Good luck with your disco.

 

Did it overheat? If so, did you keep driving? If you did, the heads and block would need resurfacing, but not necessarily toast unless a cylinder liner(s) came loose. If it didn't overheat, everything is most likely fine, just replace the HG's. S/b easy for a Rover-knowledgeable mechanic to diagnose but you won't know if anything is worthwhile until it gets torn-down. It can all be done in the truck; whole engine doesn't have to come out. If you go the used engine route, it would have to be torn down for inspection and refreshed with new gaskets, etc. anyway, or else it could fail as soon as you start it up; you just can't know for sure, without doing so..

 

Has it been determined where you are you leaking coolant from? Is there water in oil? If not, that's really good. The heads will warp way before the block. If you drive around for days/weeks with a blown head gasket its "possible" the block could wrap, but still highly unlikely.

First off, take the truck to someone else. As other have pointed out the price you were quoted is very high.

 

If you're really mechanically inclined, you could pull your heads off and check them and the block with a straight edge. This engine is such an old design that it's really simple to work on. It may take a lot of removal of parts to get to what you need, but it's all fairly easy.

 

Where in NC are you? I'm in Charlotte. If you're nearby I have a couple ideas that might help you.

 

Thanks for the great advice everyone. Sorry for the delayed response, crazy few weeks. I am pretty sure its a blown gasket. About two weeks before my mechanic diagnosed the gasket, he had replaced the thermostat. I was driving the DII down the road and all of a sudden noticed the temp light on. I immediately turned on the heat full blast and found somewhere to pull over and get towed into the shop. I popped the hood and the steam was billowing from the inlet tube into the thermostat, but everywhere else the system looked fine. That's when he diagnosed the thermostat.


Fast forward about two weeks and it started running REALLY rough at start up (check engine light on), then settled down, and then started overheating again. Took it back and that's when he diagnosed the head gasket. I didn't think I had driven far enough with the temp light on previously, but guess I did.


So...I'm not opposed to getting my own hands dirty. I've done plenty of jobs on the old girl already. However, this one probably calls for some tools I don't have and more importantly a garage I don't have.


MLN01, I'll going to PM you since I am in Charlotte as well and you mentioned you have some ideas. I've called around looking for a second opinion but if you have a recommendation please pass it along.


Thanks. I'll post again and let you know what I end up doing.