My wife and I have loved this vehicle, but it has been a lot of trouble ($$$) over the past 6 months or so.

In the past 6-7 months I had to get replaced:
-Head gaskets
-Water pump
-Power steering pump
-Radiator

And 2 weeks ago a small coolant leak that I had noticed just a day or two before turned into high temps and a blown hose. Had the hose replaced and it was still getting hot the next day. Took it back in and they thought it was just air in the system, tried for a while to get it out and when I drove away it shot up to red before I was a half mile away. Fan wasn't running, needed a new fan clutch. After the shop replaced that they realized that the heads needed to be replaced again, they were warped. I told the shop to go ahead on it because hey, what else could go wrong from here? I've fixed/replaced so much over the last year that what else could possibly happen? I should be good for a long time.

Well they did the heads and those are great now, but coolant keeps getting pushed out of the overflow. After days of waiting, I finally hear that they contacted a LR specialist in Tennessee (we're in Michigan) and he's almost positive that the engine block is warped (I think thats what it was) and that's letting air into the system that's bubbling out into the coolant tank. He said that when he see's heads go he almost always recommends replacing the engine because 1 out of 10 end up being warped like that.

Shop says it will cost me more (mainly in labor) to have the warped engine fixed than it would be to get a used motor.

So now I've had (likely) completely unnecessary head work on the engine and I'm looking at $3k to put in another one (they said they could find cheaper but this one was from a yard they knew was reputable).

I certainly don't have $3k lying around (still need to pay $1k for the heads on the bad engine ). I still owe around $4k (I think) on the vehicle's loan. I doubt I could sell it as is to cover what I owe. It will drive but in 10 minutes or less it's bubbled all the coolant out and we know what happens when the engine gets too hot...

What's a good option for me here? Part it out? Sell it for whatever I can and suck it up? It's the labor that's most costly to replace the warped part of the engine (as I understand), the work to re-mill it or whatever is like $8-900.

It's my wife's vehicle and she's not really happy about it. At least she doesn't have to get to a job and I work from home building websites so she can take my car if needed (it's a beat up saturn though and she's not too pleased about that car either).

I'll welcome any advice. I'm in Grand Rapids and I know theres at least one or two guys on the forums here that live in the same area.

Thanks guys. I'd prefer to keep the rover (we love it) but it's been a bit much for us to keep in working order.

 

I think you need "Chef Spike" as he is in your neck of the woods... You should be able to get a motor and installed for under 3k so ...its up to you for 3 k you get a beater car so better to replace I think. You could recoup your heads cost by selling them. For what you paid for the heads I think you got bent over....I think Savannah and spike will chime in and give you some good advice..

Chris

 

Sorry to hear that, you are in a tough spot especially after spending all that money, engines from junk yards will likely not have any warranty and anything could go wrong with them again. If you decide to put a new engine, try to check LKQ, they give one year unlimitted mileage warranty on their engines. That said even after replacing all those parts, there are alot of other parts that could go bad on a 99 disco in MI and can turn the car into a money pit.
I have thinkered with the idea of leasing a fuel efficient car for less than 200/month, which will be paid by the gas saving (at least in my case) I am not sure how much your wife is driving.

 

In the red in 1/2 mile - seems like stat is stuck closed, unless it does not do this at idle. Of course, an exhaust gas in coolant tests would confirm, but that much heat would just about have to come from a HG leak, or cracked head, or cracked block. You have done two HG. There is a limit to how far (how many times) they can mill down the heads. Might be time for KSeal, as a last ditch effort. Doesn't seem like it would make it worse. Most engines at salvage yards, if D2 vehicle not wrecked, are going to need HG. Seldom are runners sent to salvage. But great price on engines. If it warmed up, then went to hot, might consider an in-line thermostat set up with 160 F stat, if that would keep below overheat switched on temp.

 

I'm about to my breaking point to with my 2000 Disco II.......

$1400 transmission rebuild
$1700 head gasket job
$250 for a used transfer case
$100 for used ABS modulator
$300 for new master cylinder/labor
$50 for used head lamp
Now a new leak has sprung up after HG job near water pump(not the water pump)...


Paid $4300 cash for this POS and seems like I'm on the losing end of this deal and $80+ to fill the pig up every time I go to the pump.

 

I think discoveries are hit or miss.....blows me away the mass amounts of cooling issues these things have. Mines good and went through but how in the hell does a manufacturer screw up cooling so bad for so many years, really .......
I've gone through mine extensively since getting it and has been about my wifes breaking point over it....

Like all hobbies a land rover should be purchase before your married so shs adjusted to the time you'll b working on it.....lol


Love mine though.......and for sake of others I know alot of guys with them that have no issues or about the same as any non Japanese car....

 

Have you talked to Accurate Engines here in Grandville?
They are behind Belle Tire on 28th street, they rebuild engines for cheap and they come with a 100k warranty, they can mill the block to make it true.
Also talk to Austin Jordan Engines on Clyde Park in Wyoming just north of 44th street, west side of the road.
See what those guys have to say.
After that contact my friend Andy at Door Auto Salvage and see if he can get you a engine.
Who has been working on your truck so far?

 

and for AZRover, look at Oil Pump Gear Kit W/Gaskets - Land Rover kits from Atlantic British - front cover can leak coolant, as can valley pan gasket.

 

My indy Rover mech told me where it's leaking from a few days ago....it will be fixed on Monday. It's been down at the shop the past week.......

 

and the result...