I am about 300 miles from home and have develop an exhaust leak on the pass side of the motor. I'm 99% sure that it's coming from the head gasket. Leaving it here is not an option. Having it fixed here is not an option. The only two options that I have are 1) drive it 300 miles home and then fix it or drive 60 miles and have it towed the other 240 miles.

My question is - assuming that it don't run hot, currently not leaking or mixing fluids - What other major damage do I run the risk of doing? Exhaust burning a wedge in the heads meaning I'll need to find new heads? Exhaust burning a wedge in the block - meaning the engine is toast? I have drove 20 miles so far in this condition - irreversal damage already done?

Thanks for any and all input. I'm headed home in a few days...

Oh yeah... 2001 Disco stock -122K miles

 

throw a 5/8 socket on the outer head bolts and see if they will tighten, you have nothing to lose. As you say; continue to drive it and it will damage the head or the block.
I have read on another forum that a well respected mechanic has said he has done it in the past, simply because he had nothing to lose.
Sometimes it work most time it didnt, but a couple of socket at the local Sears has got to be cheaper than a 300 mile tow.

 

I wouldn't htink the aluminum on the combustion portion of the head is any different than the block aluminum or the aluminum the rest of the head is made out of.

I'd go with the tightening suggestion, but don't go overkill on tightening it. Then I'd drive it.

 

Make sure the socket is a 5/8" black impact grade socket on 1/2 inch drive.
You may need an iron pipe on a breaker bar to budge head bolts.

I would only tighten a few degrees at most if they are super tight..

 

I'd just drive it, if you overtighen the head bolts you run the risk of stripping out the thread holes which is pretty common.
If it were a cast iron block sure, but aluminum no.

 

And the one item left out is that when you leak exhaust it comes out between the head and block like a cutting torch and you can cut a groove in the head and or block. If the block gets a groove cut onto the surface, it can ruin it.

 

Everyone - Thanks for the information and tips. Based on your suggustions, I will wait the weekend and rent a transporter from u-haul and pull it home. Just hope that the 20 miles I have put on it has not harm the block.

 

I think you'll be okay.

 

I am wondering what happened to this engine?
When the head gasket was replaced - was there damage to the block?

 

It would seem I am the new father of an exhaust leak from the head gasket. It started with a ticking noise and grew till it blew out.
After removing the Y-Pipe and having a small crack welded on the passenger side flang, changing the exhaust manifold gaskets and putting it all back together, started the motor and the leak was untouched. It took awhile to locate approx. where the leak is coming from.
Being an underpaid city emplyee, the option of handing over to the dealership is out. So it looks as if this wll be my next project. Does anyone know of a complete parts list?