I'm looking at a 2001 with approximately 130k miles. I'm new to land rovers but I'm aware there are headgasket issues with these vehicles. I ran the engine to heat it up. There was the sweet smell of coolent after about 10 minutes. The seller has not done the head gasket. So, does will a head gasket solve this issue or is a rebuild with liners in the future?

What else should be on the immediate agenda for repair? 180 deg thermostat u joints?

Thanks

 

If you smell coolant she's leaking somewhere. The real test is getting it up to temp, then driving it, and seeing if the coolant bubbles out of the reservoir cap aka over-heats. That would tell you it's not an external leaking HG, but internally and exhaust gases are getting into the cooling system. If you have liner problems they usually make a lovely sound when warmed up as they "slip"

 

Yes to everything he says.

It may just be a simple coolant leak though. 1 spot you can easily check -- aside from a good thorough once over of all connections in the engine compartment.

Look right underneath the throttle body. There are two smaller diameter rubber hoses that go into the underside -- this connection to the throttle body leaks all the time. Causing the smell.

Look at this photo and if you see similar "crusty" looking stuff, it's a slight leak -- https://discoii.files.wordpress.com/...810_103107.jpg. It is very easy to tell if they are seeping usually.

BTW you can drive it like this for awhile without issue, but you do smell it.

 

Also, since you're unfamiliar with these Rovers, do yourself a huge favor and get a PPI at a reputable local independent Land Rover shop. BY this I mean a shop that has some British word in the name or "Rover" or has 15 old Rovers parked out front. Not a standard Euro fix it shop. You'd look for a Land Rover specialist.

 

Yeah, if you are smelling it then it likely is an external leak, could be an external leak from the HG if you can't see it anywhere else. Bubbles in the tank or swollen hoses when hot are the best indicator of a blown hg, but even that is not fatal. As long as it does not tick when warm it does not yet have slipped liners. Even if it does it might just be caused by running too hot, the factory thermostats are notorious for keeping the engine over 190 and often just a lower temp thermostat will bring it down to non-ticking range. BTW, the 01's rarely have slipped liners unless overheated seriously.

 

Thanks for the replies. I took it for a little drive last night at the sellers location. I think I've read too much about the "unreliable" engine that it's the top of my list. The other areas of concern are a whining power steering pump and the 3 amigos. The power steering could be as simple as adding fluid or as involved as replacing the pump.

If I purchase I guess a scan gauge is the first piece to aquire?

 

If getting a scanner, you should seriously consider a Nanocom. They are on sale right now https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...m-sale-114939/
Also an Ultragauge ($US86).

Power steering pump replacement isn’t difficult.

There are lots of threads here on the 3 Amigos.

With these known issues, hopefully the seller is taking them into consideration as far as price goes.

 

Hoping to get it below $5K. It has 131k on the odometer and the carfax shows the HG replaced at 40k.

I've ordered the ultagauge.

 

That sounds reasonable. Good luck with it.

 

Your in-line thermostat kit will be my next purchase. That mod seems like a no-brainer.