Hello all!

Not a mechanic by any means but I know enough to be dangerous (haha). I have a "04" Disco *Bosch*with 114k. Started loosing cooling and oil (On garage & bottom of chassis), which I assume the head gasket is the culprit, not to mention all gaskets are original.

One odd thing is the red temp light is on but the needle is all the way down and the engine is cold? Any idea what that's all about?

A few questions.

1. Any good reference books on performing such an under taking? I've seen the Haynes manual but it's for up to "02" model, nothing newer.
2. I am buying the entire gasket kit from British Atlantic, any other items you would recommend me picking up at the same time for this job?
3. While this thing is apart any suggestions on preventative maintenance components that might be a good idea to change while it's all apart? I only ask because it has some mileage on it and everything is original. I have read these bad boys are time bombs so I would rather change now than later when it's not so convenient.

Thanks in advance!!

Ryan

 

Down load a free Rave CD, shop manual, and start reading.
You will need new 8 mm plug wires and a t/stat along with the gasket set and new head bolts.
Send me your number and I can walk you thru some of this.

 

Don't assume it is your head gaskets. It could just as easily be your front engine cover or any number of things. Find out exactly where the leak is or you may be doing your head gaskets for nothing.

Next download the Rave CD for free. It is the only guide you will need (besides help here of course).

 

One of most common coolant leaks on Disco 2s, and the simplest to fix, is at the front of the intake manifold.

$35 kit from AB.

Be sure to look yours over.

 

Thanks for the help guys. It looks like the oil is coming from the drivers side head gasket. I really appreciate all of your help!

RT

 

Where on the head gasket? The front, back or the side?

 

oil on the side of the engine could also be simple as the valve covers needing snugged up and running down imperceptibly.

 

Looks to be the front. The valve covers have a small trace of oil, but nothing like under the engine. The bottom of my car has considerable oil on it.

Any idea why my red light on engine temp would come on as soon as the car starts (cold engine)? Maybe a sensor? It just started as soon as this issue happened, just not sure why the light is illuminated even when it's cold. Oh well I'm not driving it, it's parked in the garage and dis-mantleing has started.

RT

 

Is there coolant also leaking from the front? Do you have oil in your coolant? The reason I ask is because the coolant passages are in the front of the cylinder heads so usually oil does not leak from there. Power wash your engine and put some dye in your coolant that will make it easier to find the leak.

 

Sorry, I said front without thinking of real position, from hunching over the front of the car. It is in the back (opposite side of the fan), although I have lots of oil running out from somewhere that I have not been able to detect yet. The plastic fairing that has the round hatch for the oil filter access is loaded with oil on the top, and looks to be were all of the oil came from that is covering the chassis.

When I put coolant in (I've been just using water) as soon as I start it and shut it off the level goes down. This was something that it started doing (loosing coolant) for the last month slowly then all of a sudden the car started loosing lots of oil and coolant and I have this major under taking going on.

For the average Joe how long is a head gasket change going to take? Looks like my Thanksgiving long weekend is shot, haha.. Oh well I'm thankful for the support.

RT