I live in Caribbean, where the days can get relatively hot. My disco has had problems with overheating and coolant loss. The coolant in my Disco will disappear all of a sudden. I fill the reservoir to the coolant line. It will usually drop a couple of inches and then stay at that level. It will stay at this level for days or several weeks. I check the level every couple of days or so and have extra coolant in the back just in case. Then, all of a sudden, I'll check the reservoir and it will be completely empty. I don't notice the level slowly dropping. Just a sudden emptying.

I took the vehicle to my mechanic. He told me ran the engine and checked the entire system. All the hoses, connections etc. He finally concluded it must be the cap and replaced it. A couple of weeks later, I lost the coolant and it overheated.

Sometimes the lights regarding traction control, ABS, and downhill will turn on. That's usually an indication I've lost coolant.

I acquired the truck from my brother-in-law who had experienced the same issue and taken it to a Rover specialist who supposedly fixed the problem. No luck.

I checked the oil for discoloration and found none. So I don't think I have a leak in the head. I hate stressing the engine and I don't want it to damage by the repeated overheating.

I plan to pull the engine at 100,000 and rebuild just to keep it optimal. Will replace rubber suspension parts, etc. at that time too. I have the original service manual on pdf, and it seems complicated (and requires special tools) to pull the radiator, etc. and replace all the hoses. If this is the only option I may service the engine completely now, but rather not incur the expense if there is another option.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

No special tools required, you can do all of that work with basic tools from your local store. You have a coolant leak somewhere, check the throttle body heater and all your hoses. Check if your passenger carpet is wet. Do you get a sweet smell from the exhaust when you cold start? Any difficulty starting and rough idle when cold?

 

I guess I'll tear it apart and replace all the hoses. Any suggestions as to what tools to use instead of LRT-12-093 & LRT-12-094? I heard it is quite difficult a job without these.

Also, the service engine light is on. Don't know if this could be related to the issue, but the mechanic said the code had to do with fuel/air mixture. Maybe a sensor. I haven't had time to look into it.

It does seem to idle rough. Especially from cold start. No wet floor mat though.

Edit: Actually I just looked at the Throttle Body Diagram. A coolant leak here would mess with the mixture, correct?