Head Gasket external leak
 

Well, I had the dealer tell me that my car has head gasket external leak.

Hmm...I take the car up the sierra nevada mountains regularly, and not a sign of overheating. Of course, the weather's been cold, but still, I should expect to see it get a little hot after climbing 7000 feet?

It's certainly not internal leak...the oil looks fine, and the exhaust looks fine too. The car doesn't lose coolant, either. It does leak oil...but from what I've seen, it's pretty common...even expected. It leaks maybe 3-4 drops every night. No big deal, really.

I'm wondering if they see an old stain and is just saying that? I told them to leave it alone. But on the other hand, I don't want to go off to remote location and get stuck either.

What do you guys (and gals) think? Anything I should look out for to determine whether the job is worth doing? Seems like a lot of people just watch the coolant level with minor head gasket leak. How long before it becomes bad enough to worry?

Thanks!

RE: Head Gasket external leak
 

My 99 D2 has been leaking both coolant and oil for over a year with no ill effects.
I add about a pint of coolant every two weeks and know I will have to do them some day.
Mike

RE: Head Gasket external leak
 

Mike

Do you still take yours off road? I'm just afraid of being stuck out in remote trails.

RE: Head Gasket external leak
 

I would do a leak down test on the engine. This will tell you, cylinder by cylinder, whether there is in-fact a problem and its extent - not only with the head gaskets, but with overall engine condition. If it is an externalleak than you will hear it duringthe test.Did the dealer already do this to determine that it is a leaking head gasket? If so, ask for the results, and post them. If you don't work on your car yourself, than I would have a LR specialist (not the dealer) do the leak down. If want to do the work yourself, than you will need an air compressor, a leak down tester (not very expensive), and lots of time- it will go slow the first time you do it.

Piotr