I have a 97 land rover with around 140,000 miles on it. Ok it has some issues. I have it at the shop because it got stuck in park it turned out to be that my sunroof was leaking onto my shifter and got water on wires that shorted it out. Well a few months ago I notice water was leaking by my thermastat. I took it to a shop a guy said it was the thermastat and I made an appointment. When I took it back another guy said its not leaking so it fine. Well a few weeks ago it started again and my heater started going off then coming back on. I had another guy look at it and he says that it is the timing gasket but it is leaking right were the thermastat is so I am not sure what to do. Also does anyone know around what its going to cost me to fix the timing gasket if thats what it is? I already have about 5 hours wrapped up in the shifter issue and next week I have to take it to get the sunroofs fixed. I hoping its not going to cost me to much to fix the water leak. thanks for your time.

 

Ouch. By thermostat, I would think you are speaking about under the hood. That is a less than $5 gasket, and behind it is a $10 or so thermostat. But they are not on the same part as the timing cover.

With your miles would not be unusual to change thermostat. It is two bolts, and about a gallon of coolant. While the original thermsotat is a 192 - 195F rated unit, many owners go back with a 180F unit to help keep engine cooler. From personal experience, no thermostat is not good, and a 160F unit (also available) won't provide much heat. Here's a pix of the cavity that the stat goes in. This should be a 1 hour or less repair job, many DIY can do this in even less time.

As for the front cover, attached is a link to the gasket (Gasket - Front Cover (Part # ERR7280) - Land Rover gaskets and seals from Atlantic British) for that. The water channels into it are to/from the water pump. The serpantine belt, the fan clutch, the water pump (need another gasket), and the crank shaft pulley (need a seal) must be removed as well. So shop hours will add up. A DIY project like this would eat up most of the day light on a weekend, becuase most DIY have not done each of these tasks and will go slower. If having a shop do this consider installing a new water pump, a new fan clutch, and the new thermostat. I say this based on you having the shop do it, as these new parts should not add any labor. You can just repair the gasket and put old parts back on, but you may be returning to that area sooner rather than later.

I'm sorry, but a front cover fix is a lot more than just a thermostat. If just thermostat leaking, I 'd repalce that stat and gasket. If front cover, I'd do the thermostat as well due to age of the truck. If it were my truck, I'd flush the radiator as well.

This is a "mushroom factor" project. Once the front cover comes off, it exposes the timing chain. The timing chain may be worn and need replacement. There is also an oil pump inside the front cover. Many owners replace that at some point. Here is a kit that hase the oil pump, timing cover gasket, water pump gasket, and new front seal. Oil Pump Gear Kit W/Gaskets - Land Rover kits from Atlantic British. Your indy shop (hope it is not the dealership) may allow you to furnish high quality parts like this, but might not warranty them.

Now what will happen if you continue with this leak? Low heat is not the issue. Overheat of engine and a head gasket or worse can be the result. Until you effect repairs I would start every day with an underhood inspection of coolant level and keep it topped up.

 

To fix the sun roof leak go to the marina and buy a couple of tubes of silicone sealant, then using a ladder seal the sunroofs shut.
This will cost you about $20 or so and take you half a hour, let the sealant cure over night and no more leaks.
If you try to fix them "proper" it will cost you a ton of money, it probably needs new rubber seals.

If the coolant is pooling ontop of the engine then it is not the timing cover leaking, it is either the thermostat leaking or the hose clamp is loose.

 

Stuck in park= remove the stupid solenoid and end the issue for good.

Leaking sunroof= seal it shut because the only think worse than a LR sunroof would be a large funnel.

Coolant leak= find a competent tech who can actually figure out where the leak is.

I would be suspecting the intake bolts are loose and it's the valley pan. I can see it though, so I cannot say anything for sure except that the bolts are known for being loose causing the valley pans to leak.

Where are you located? If we knew we could steer you in the right direction.