That makes sense. Thanks much for clarifying. Would you suggest I continue to pull off the timing cover and reseal it, or should I just put the oil pan back on and call it a day (if it aint broke dont fix it)?

I think my small coolant leak is actually coming from the throttle body heater plate. I noticed while doing my pressure tests that a small amount of dexcool was sitting on the top of the drivers side valve cover. I have a replacement ordered and in the mail.

 

ok lets see if im reading this right. you have a leak, you have verified it several times with a pressure tester.
Now you have had an oil sample done which has come back with alum. 5x . chrom., 9x, iron 6x , copper 2x , lead 19x , tin 10x and nicKel 5x higher than normal.
it states in the report "find the source of the coolant leak and make necessary repair"
and you think this is happening because the throttle body heater is leaking onto the valve cover?

 

I think you should do the front cover gasket while you are in there.

 

When I sent the oil sample in to Blackstone, I told them that I suspected DexCool in the oil, so I could have lead them to that specific response. Possibly a response that they wouldn't have come to on their own. For instance, I sent them an earlier sample from the first oil change I did that had similar levels (that prompted me to switch to Rotella T6 to lessen the wear levels, which it did) and they didn't mention a coolant leak what-so-ever. The DexCool on the valve cover could explain the slight loss of pressure over time while doing the pressure tests, and doesn't necessarily point to the front timing cover as the culprit. The Coolant in the oil could be coming from the valley gasket on the intake manifold or possibly a pinhole in the block.

The high wear levels are definitely a concern, as is the coolant/water in the oil. Something definitely needs to be done, it's just a matter of what. I was just curious to see MasterRoverTech's opinion on the matter (and I appreciate any opinions/help I can get from everyone).

 

how about you throw some UV die in the system, pressurize it come back in a couple hours with a UV flashlight and see where it is coming from.
it's quite possible it could be your front cover pretty a common leak, and it wash into your oil pan.
But after 6-weeks I would assume you would want to know what the exact problem is before you put it back together.

 

Haha yeah, it defiantly has been slow going. It doesn't help that I was away from home for a couple of weeks in there. Good thing the rover isn't my primary vehicle.

That is a good idea, I think I will get some UV dye.

 

Apparently nobody around me carries UV Dye kits that are rated for DexCool in stock. I ended up ordering some from Napa (Part # NTE 788108). Autozone also has some (part # 377) DexCool compatible dye. Should be in on Thursday.

 

why aren't you replacing the Dexcool to begin with?

 

I will be after I drain and flush the system for the timing cover removal. Probably with generic green prestone. The Dexcool compatible uv dye glows a different color than the regular coolant dye (according to the bottle). If I have to do anothe dye test it will be nice to be able to separate the results.