Hi,
I own a 01 discovery series 2 with 68,000 miles. For about 12 mths I've been losing a small bit of coolant, no trace of engine oil contanimation. About 3 weeks ago I started losing a lot of coolant and I took the car in. Radiator replaced by the shop, they also told me that there were signs of oil contanimation. After I left the shop I started losing coolant again and took it back. The verdict from the shop is the head gasket also needs to be replaced. The shop owner also warned me of a service advisory on sleeves/tubes. He is saying he could start the head gasket work and finish up with a complete rebuild costing $4,500+. He thinks I am better off trading now. Other than this issue I have not had any major problems since I bought the truck 6 years ago.
I personally have not heard of the sleeve/tube issue before - is this for real? Is the head gasket just the start of issues - should I trade? I'm not handy. On the other hand the car is only driven about 3-4k miles a year. Any feedback on the LR3? I might trade for that.
Sorry for the long message, any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks

 

Take it somewhere else to have the head gaskets replaced, ~$1500.
Your engine is all aluminum with steel cylinder liners (also called sleeves), if you overheat the engine you can drop a sleeve and then and only then is the engine toast.
As long as you have not overheated the engine for any reason then you are fine and all you need is new head gaskets.
If you do trade it in then you must disclose this problem.
The LR3 is to much like a Ford Explorer for my taste.
As a matter of fact the LR3 with the V6 uses the Ford Explorer engine.

 

Thanks for the response. I've always been careful with it and it has never overheated so from the sounds of things the cylinders/sleeves should be ok. I'm in the DFW area and $2050 is the cheapest I have been quoted for a head gasket job. Not sure if anyone else has come across anything better. Are there any other issues I can expect if I keep it? I spoke to a guy today and he mentioned drive shaft issues. Thanks again.

 

Yes the front driveshaft is a big issue, it must be rebuilt with greaseable u-joints. The factory ones are non greaseable and when they fail it will take out your transmission ($7000)
To have it rebuilt at a shop will set you back about $300.

 

Make sure you don't use cheap non Rover gaskets and head bolts, consider Atlantic British as a supplier. Also order and replace your t/stat along with the up grade 3 hose kit to replace the one you currently have. Consider replacing your plug wires, if they are still the factory grey wires, with a set of 8 mm Magnacor wires.
Make sure they use only Dexcool coolant when bleeding the system.

 

Thanks for all the information Mike. I am going to take it in next week to get the work done, I'll follow your checklist.