A couple of years ago, my 99 d2 was overheating. I had already replaced 2 or 3 radiators. I tried an additive but was very short term. My mechanic put in an new head gasket, water pump, radiator and overflow tank. I continue to lose about 3 cups of fluid every time I go out. Seems to be building pressure fast and the loss of fluid is generally while driving. My mechanic thinks that I must have a crack in the block somewhere. BUT, The oil is clean and stays level. The antifreeze color is also clean. No smoke coming out of exhaust. I hear a gurgling in the passenger compartment that sounds like water bubbling around somewhere. Any thoughts??? Thank you

 

The gurgling is probably air in the heater. It can look like you're losing fluid as the heater coils fill up, but not a couple of cups every time you run the vehicle.
Do you see any drips or moisture if you look under the vehicle while it's idling after it has warmed up?

 

Your mechanic must not see many Discos. Anytime the heads come off, block should be leaked-down and attention to tops of liners so that nobody would have to take guesses on a cracked block; its a well-known issue on these engines due to multiple factors. Have you tested the coolant for exhaust gas? Your exhaust doesn't smell weird like coolant? Do you have a secondary temp gauge installed? If you did, you would probably notice crazy spikes and abnormally high operating temps. Pressure test the cooling system and then check it for exhaust gas. You should hit on one or the other. I would think that much coolant loss would be an external source which is why I would pressure test first and rule out external, then test it for exhaust. In the same day. Yesterday. Good luck and get on that.

 

He did the head gasket a couple of years ago. Yet, since I got it back is when the gurgling was occurring and the loss of anti-freeze. It hasn't overheated since but does get to the normal running temperature quickly and stays there. I ran some errands today and haven't lost fluid since it's just a couple of miles here and there. When I lose the fluid, it's generally a 15+ mile trip. It doesn't usually lose water while idling but after I park it, I've noticed that (on occasion) a small puddle under the drivers side front tire. That puddle is definitely coolant. Thank you for the suggestions. I will need to go see a new mechanic or go to LR Dealership-I am not qualified to work on this.

 

Don't take it to a dealer unless you just really like throwing your money away and getting lied to. I can't stand neither one, personally. Call around or search the web and find a garage that specializes in imports, if not LR/Jaguar. That would be your best bet. Don't be surprised if they charge $100/hour on labor and have a 50-75% mark-up on the replacement parts. Its not that hard to find a water-leak and then check Craigslist for a mobile mechanic. There is a guy here in Dallas with 30-plus years LR experience that does house calls, for example. The whole point is to at least have an idea of what needs to be repaired so that you aren't getting ripped-off. Some people call me cheap, I call it pride. Even if I didn't know how to turn a wrench, I'm not going to let some fool think that I'm an idiot and can be suckered. Moral of the story, don't be some mechanic's wife's Mercedes payment over a $2 hose clamp.

 

Oh, and I'm not sure about the 1999 model, but on my 2003 the temperature gauge doesn't move past normal until the damn engine is about to explode. I had to resort to a secondary gauge to monitor the coolant temp. I'm sure your truck is running super hot, just not hot enough to trigger the sensor and reflect that on your gauge. I have literally seen steam coming out from under my hood and the temperature gauge wasn't moving past where it was "normally." That was when I first bought it, but then I did some reading on here and learned some important details about these LR Discoveries. I suggest you do the same.

 

One more thing, super simple. When you are looking at the top of your engine toward the right (driver side) locate the throttle body. it will have the cable attached that goes to the firewall and the "gas pedal." look underneath it and there will be the valve cover. see if there is coolant, or remenants thereof on top of it and let us know.

 

Your mechanic maybe right about the block. To check a block, I use a coolant pressure tester over night. I'll put 20 psi of pressure into the coolant system. Periodically checking the pressure and adding if needed to maintain 20 psi. I'll check it in the morning usually finding the pressure has dropped but still some pressure in the system. Before starting the engine in the morning, remove the spark plugs and use a bore-a-scope to investigate for any coolant in the cylinders. Usually its a inner cylinder leakng.

Amazon sells a scope that works with an android or windows device for about $30.

Peter

 

That particular leak may or not be your major issue but should be addressed by you or your mech. Some leaks don't start dripping until material has cooled/contracted and system pressure still high enough to force coolant out. Possible it's also leaking/steaming while underway and residue blown away. Is the underbelly panel still installed beneath engine? If so should be removed because it collects evidence of smaller leaks and needs be gone to gain access for inspecting engine from below for leaks. It's relatively easy to find external coolant leaks if you or mech take the time to degrease/clean, use a bright light/inspection mirror and don't mind getting dirty looking up while underneath your vehicle.
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What this video from Atlantic British. They point out common throttle body leak. Could also be a lower intake manifold gasket, head gasket, or timing cover gasket. I wouldn't drive it. Coolant leaks kill rovers