Mike! I've seen several posts in which you recommend folks who have a coolant leak to have it pressure tested and find out where the leak is coming from. In more than one of the posts, the leak is at the rear of the engine. I, too, have an externalcoolant leak that I've been 'feeding' , checking it on a daily basis. It's at the rear of the engine, running down the right side of the point where the engine mates with the tranny. It sounds similar to the others who've posted, yet you don't tell them, "ah, it's probably (this gasket) or (this hose)" or whatever. I'm curious - does that mean there aren't really any "standard" or "usual" points of failure where these leaks are from? Not being able to really see very well between the firewall and the rear of the engine makes me wish I knew what it was, so that I could replace whatever gasket, etc. that it is. Failing that, I'm more likely to bring it into the dealership and then once they have it, I feel that I'll be at their mercy (it's got 165K + miles, so I'm sure they'll find other things that can be attended to!) If it's an intake gasket or something else, I'd be able to do it myself. So - are these rear coolant leaks really all that individual and varied?

 

You can have the valley pan gasket leaking back there or a head gasket. Don't let it go too long hate to see you loose your engine to a dropped sleeve.
Mike

 

Thanks Mike! Hopefully I can catch it in time... I've got an appt with a local (non-specialist) mechanic to take a look tomorrow a.m.

 

Meanwhile what you have to do is monitor your fluid levels. Check it very often and make sure to top it up as it goes down. Cause a dropped sleave isthe result of overheating, and in your case, it will only overheat if you let your coolant go down to a point of overheating. so keep a bottle of mixed coolant in the back of your Disco, in case you go for a long ride and notice half way there that your coolant has gone down.

 

Have him pressure test the coolant system to verify the location of the leak and since he is not used to working on Rovers, let me know what he quote you, parts and labors.
Mike

 

An update: the local shop I took the Rover to didn't manage to find the leak / were too busy / didn't care / etc. So, for the past few months Roverhas beenon a short leash, only being driven for short trips (< 10 mi) with the coolant level being topped up in between. One good thing about our Disco is that it's never overheated in its life. But the plan was to save up the money to have the head gasket work done, then take it somewhere else (someone who cares) and have it checked out and ultimately repaired. The coolant leak appears to be entirely external - no sweet-smelling exhaust, and no coolant in the oil.

So, we're at that point now, I've got a bit of cash and an appointment next week to take it in for a pressure test. However, in talking to this new mechanic over the phone, I mentioned that it may be head gasket replacement we're looking at, and he brought up an interesting concern. He told me that in his experience, replacing head gaskets on a high-mileage engine very often results in trading one problem (in this case, coolant leak) for another (sudden increase in oil consumption due to increased blow-by past the piston rings, which are put under more stress due to having done head gasket and head work). Does he have a valid point? The Disco is not really driveable in its current state, so not doing anything is not an option. But even at 160K,it seems to have agood bit of life in the old thing (and it's paid for).So, if the head gaskets are in need of replacement (actually it's only the R. side but I can't see doing just one), and the bottom end is too tired, is a viable alternative an engine replacement (long block) instead? Has anyone on the forum gone that route?

Of course all this is "what if" at this point, but I'd like to have a plan, and I appreciate any thoughts / comments / suggestions. thanks!
Bill

 

How many miles on your truck?
I totally dissagree with his idea, changing out head gaskets does not cause additional leakage in any way shape or form.
Have him pressure test the truck and get back to me with his answer and estimate for repair.

 

x2 on Mike's comment. The head gasket replacement will not cause increased pressures on the pistons and rings of any consequence. The kinds of problems that arise after that kind of service would be related pre-existing problems, like corrosion of sealing surfaces and problems withthings disturbed in the process of doing the work, like broken wiring connectors, missing bolts/nuts, etc. Cast a wary eye on any advice you get from that mechanic- his understanding appears to be limited.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Thanks guys! I'll report back. Oh, andwe've put 160,000 miles on it since buying it new from Clayton at LR Flatirons way back when. I wish it had started leaking back in Longmont before we moved from CO - we could have gotten together about this over a few cold ones.
Regards,
Bill

 

Perhaps the dude was referring to increased compression due to head milling.