I have a '02 Disco that has been pretty much problem free up to this point. It is just passing 80k thresh hold, I get regular maintenance on it. About a year ago, car started having asomewhat high pitch noise/rattle come from dash area. Dealer could not determine what was causing it or reproduce. It is an itermittant noise. The one thing that definitely makes it go away is turning off the air conditioner. Noise is never present with A/C off. We had taken car into dealer for a window up/down motor being broken and they finally "figured out" what was making the noise. Bad gaskets. I have been through the forums a bit and it looks as if head gaskets going bad is a somewhat common problem (especially at my mileage) and that signicant damage can occur to the car if it overheats. I have had no issues with the engine overheating yet.

Is this noise related to the gaskets? Something else maybe? I could not find a similar problem related to air conditioners. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

 

The only sound you might get if you had a low coolant issue would be a gurgeling sound in the dash especially when speeding up.
Have you had to add coolant?
If you have even the slightest reason to think you have a leaking head gasket you should have a coolant pressure test doen to find a leak.
Mike

 

i had a pressure test after a slight, slight increase in temperature, i thought maybe a thermostat. nope head gasket, and my normal mechanic said,"take it to the dealer", have aftermarket warranty and it's covererd, off to the dealer I go, but not until next week because they don't need my money that bad...lol

 

As of right now do not know if theydid a coolant pressure test. The noise is definitely not a gurgle, it is a rattle. We have never had to add coolant (outside of what would be done for normal servicing) nor have we ever had any indication of it overheating. During the past year when the rattle was present we lived in Florida (so hot out) and have towed a couple thousand pounds in a U-Haul. Never any indication that engine was overheating. Will try and get dealer to do a Coolant pressure test and see results.

 

Correction, I was talking to my wife, she said noise was not so much a rattle as a high pitched squealing. Again tied to the A/C. My wife (not a mechanic, me, even less) thinks it might be related to the A/C fan belt.

We have never had to add coolant. Not sure if dealer did pressure coolant test, will enquire about that.

 

If it happens when ever the fan is running, heater or a/c then you will probably have a blower motor issue.
Mike