Vanishing Coolant and Some Codes
 

Good news, I got my ultragauge today. Plugged it in and to my dismay, codes came up. Coolant temp hovering at 200.

p1300
p0306
p0307

I pulled the oil cap today and notice an orange reside on the oil cap, the bleeder screw broke yesterday. I don't notice any sweetness coming from the exhaust. Hoping it's not a HG. No drips on the ground, but I will look deeper.

I'm going to pull the 6 and 7 plugs in a minute to see what I can find. I'm was planning on replacing the wires and plugs, but was hoping to put it off till later. Getting a pressure test done this weekend. Just wanted to be sure I'm taking the right steps. Thanks for the advice

Last thing bought this truck two weeks ago from a local infinity dealership. 2004 Discover SE7, 74500 miles, original owner. The truck had the SES light on when I test drove it. Ran strong, no shakes, no problems, no knocks, no leaks. The dealership did an oil change and said they did a full inspection and if anything was found it would be repaired or they would not sell the truck to me. They said everything checked out and I bought it. Less than 300 miles later if there is a blown head gasket do I have any repercussions?

So, you have a blown head gasket and are in need of a good tune up.
STOP DRIVING IT, and either you or a shop needs to start working on it.
How mechanical are you?

Well, those are misfire codes, and HGs like to leak on the rear cyclinders where the gasket is thin between the water jacket passage and the cylinder.

Coolant temp may well be at 200, but with a newer thermostat that can drop maybe 10F. The radiator could have sludge buildup; if partialy blocked it will read much cooler on bottom rows (like way more than 10F difference); you can use an IR thermometer to read fins top to bottom.

As for dealership, you'll need to ask them. One test you can do is a chemical test (about $50) from the parts store. It would read exhaust gas in coolant and change color.

I don't know what the laws in Colorado are, but here in WA dealers can't sell vehicles that won't pass an emission test (and a SES light is a failure in this state). I would be surprised if CO didn't have some similar law.

Well, I sort of figured it was the HG, but was hoping it was not the case. I'll stop driving till I can figure things out

I am very comfortable with the tools I do have and generally feel with the proper instructions I can fix most anything. Don't however have a ton of experience working on real automotive projects. Want to learn tho. I'll read up on the HG rebuild and see if it's something I want to undertake.

I am a bit bummed with the dealership and going to give them a call tomorrow and see what they are willing to do.

Down load a free copy of a RAVE CD from my signature section, great shop manual.
If you want some help send me your number and I'll be glad to walk you thru what is really a pretty easy job.

there is a DVD "In Search Of The Experience" you can get it on line. Invest the $20 or whatever they charge now, and watch it.
About thrity or so minutes is a segment on two guys replacing head gaskets on a Discovery, if after wathing it you dont think you can do it, then you can look for a shop.
But 15 minutes into the video you will be saying "I CAN DO THAT". What I found interesting in the video was the left in the out takes, like the using the wrong tools or break a sockets, real life things.

Thanks I'll look into that video. I read over the manual and took a good hard look at the engine, and I feel it is something I could handle.

Today I looked deeper into the engine and found a buildup of what looks to be oil and maybe some dried coolant coming from the rear of the driver side head just below the exhaust manifold. I think I found my answer. Bummer.

I did drain a tiny bit of oil however and it looks clean, maybe just a little thin, but it was changed about 250 miles ago.

Mike Ill send you my number right now. Any advice is always welcome

Have the dealer replace the HG under warranty
Or you do it.

Flickr: Landroverdude2's Photostream

I just did a bargin basement HG job, bout $285 total.
I skipped getting the heads done, not recommended tho.
My inconvience with it was the head bolt threads stripping out, and having to re-tap them to larger bolts, drill a few head holes larger etc..Think it was overheated badly prior to it getting dumpped on me.
Had me real worried, that is why I skipped the head job. Hate to throw money away.
But all turned out well so far with that part. My yard ornament drives now.