Radiator nipple for expansion tank line broke off.
 

Hi everybody. I'm a new the new owner of a 2000 disco w/ 140k miles. I'm very pleased with the truck and it is in good overall condition. I'm in the process of completing all the items on Mike's 60k service list and was changing the coolant this morning. While bleeding the system I noticed a small leak from the nipple on the radiator where the line to/from the expansion tank connects. When I touched it the whole nipple snapped off at the base ad of course coolant proceeded to spew.

In looking at what is left of the nipple I don't there is any way to attach the hose back to it. My question is whether there is any way to repair this or do I have to replace the whole radiator? If I do have to replace it where is the best place to purchase. I have looked at AB and Roverland and the prices don't seem completely outrageous.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Start calling around to local radiator shops and get some after market radiator prices, you'll need one. Sometimes you can find some on e-bay in the $250, stay under $300. When replacing it, replace the t/stat and the upper radiator hose assembly if yours still has the bleeder screw in the hose itself, not in a black plastic tee.
Do you know how to bleed the air out of the system when refilling?
Don't attempt to drive it till it is fixed, you'll over heat badily.

I have installed the updated upper hose with the bleeder in the black tee. I do know how to bleed the system. Luckily this happened in my driveway while I was bleeding the system and didn't fail while underway.

Are there any tricks to the radiator replacement? i.e. oil coolers or tranny coolers that I have to deal with or is it a simple R&R? I haven't really looked at it all that well.

I'll start calling on monday to check on new radiators.

Have you ever downloaded a free Rave CD, if not it is time. The best free information you will ever find.

Yes I have the free Rave CD and actually read it between my post and yours. Seems pretty straightforward.

My tranny fluid is less than wonderful. I considered having it flushed but with 140k miles I'm worried. I guess I'll just do a few small changes until it gets better. Do you concur? Would you wait till the last change to add the Lucas treatment?

Do not have it flushed. I would recommend doing a couple drain and fills, pretty much back to back with a one block drive in between, This will allow you to get rid of a lot of old fluid but not so fast that it harms the tranny.

10-4.

One more question. I pumped and refilled the powers steering reservoir today also but didn't realize until now that I was supposed to use synthetic fluid. I used standard PS fluid and about a half bottle of lucas additive. Is this okay or should I change it again with the synthetic?

Yes, that is OK.

Hi David G, I got my 2001 Discovery SE7 in December and after a week of owning the car, I was checking my air filter and the same exact thing happened to me. After about 100,000 miles I guess all of those plastic pieces just get very brittle. I am sorry about the hassle this causes, but on the plus side once you have your new radiator in, your cooling system will be in great shape. Good luck on your repairs, you have come to the right place for any and all Land Rover questions.