So I finally think I have tracked down my coolant leak. Looks like it is coming from the expansion tank. Have verified this by lifting the tank slightly and looking underneath. Can't see the actual crack but can see approx location using a paper towel.

Which is a relief because I cannot see anything in the region of the heads/intakes.

So here is my question. Atlantic British has an expansion tank for "99-02 Disco to vin 2A736339, Range Rover 4.0 (P38) 95-02, Range Rover 4.6 (P38) 95-02". My 2003 Disco's vin is 3A818377, but shouldn't this be the right tank b/c it fits the 4.6 P38?

The part number is ESR2935.

Appreciate any help.

Thanks,

 

Just call and ask, everytime I have called AB they have looked it up anyway and they know Land Rovers

 

Thanks. I have emailed them and will have to wait until Monday for a response. Will let you know what I find out. Just thought someone here might have done this already so I could get it on order today.

Frankly, I'm relieved. With baby #1 due in the spring the less I have to tear into the engine on this beast, the better.

 

When i got a crack in my expansion tank, it definitely was not a subtle or small leak that i had to look for, I opened up the hood and it was shooting everywhere.

 

Yeah, this one's pretty mild ... leaking on the lowest part of the tank up in a seam. Either I caught it early, or different mode of failure ... OR I have something else wrong, which I have not entirely ruled out, but will fix this and see if I can get the cooling system air-free ...

 

So I picked up the new expansion tank today at the dealer - Atlantic British was on backorder until mid-month. Cost me $25 more but worth it because my window to fix is this weekend. For anyone interested the correct part for the 03/04 D2 is PCF101410.

Service advisor told me "yeah, we replace a few of those ... "

Took some time to walk around the new LR's. The tires on these things are ridiculous low profile things that don't look like they could handle a pothole particularly well. Much less anything else. Didn't care for the LR4 style either.

Made me grateful for the D2 and all its issues.

Later,

 

Let's see if this pic shows up.

Just to close the loop, here is the crack in the expansion tank. I cleaned up the tank and it does not leak under atmospheric pressure. My theory is that it WILL leak under pressure, because clearly it was.

This crack was about 1" of water level above the outlet for the tank, which goes into the pump suction. So, under pressure, I am guessing that it leaked down slowly overnight and, when I started the truck, the level was so low that it sucked air into the system. And, the bleed hoses that feed into the tank then filled it back up while the engine was running.

Just a guess, but it shows how a small leak can ruin your whole day...

Oh, and so far it's been two weeks and no more running water sounds under the dash.

 

did you ever find out the difference between the 99-02 expansion tank and the 02-04 variety? The price difference at AB is $69 and $199, respectively. I drive an '04, would like to use the cheaper one instead. Thanks.

 

rock auto has them for 40.00 dollars and change the 99-02 are the exact same as the 03-04 replaced the tank on my 03 the tank was as good if not better than the oem on my truck....