I bought a 2004 Discovery with 75k and started driving it back home. Traveled about 90 miles and stopped for fuel. Getting back on the road as i accelerated onto the interstate the temp started to rise. Pulled off and found the coolant level low. Replaced about half gallon and drove another 200 miles on the interstate without trouble. Stopped for the night and replaced about 1/2 gal in the morning before heading home. Traveled another 200 miles before siting in traffic just off the interstate and had another temp rise and a need for another half gallon of coolant. I see no exterior leaks. Bought a replacement thermostat hoping that is the problem but where is the coolant going? So i suppose I am burning it off thru a leak in the head gasket? Haven't replace the thermo yet and also have Blue Devil Head gaskets fluid to try. I am not a real mechanic and am afraid to do anything without experienced advice. HELP!

 

Check the oil level and check the oil clarity, milk chocolate means coolant is in the crankcase. White steam that smells like coolant coming from the exhaust would be combustion indicator. How did the motor sound while running, missing? Spark plugs that are steam cleaned have a white insulator like brand new plugs. Compression test on motor and a cooling system pressure test will tell if and where.

 

So you bought a discovery and barely made it to your first pit-stop before you over-heated on the side of the road?? Why didn't you call the seller to come pick you and that truck up and bring you back?? That's ridiculous as I didn't read where you said you were purchasing a vehicle with known mechanical failures. Did you get screwed or what?

 

chubbs Pit stop occurred at 21:30 saturday night, dealership closed and coolant solved the problem initially.

ihscout, Thanks.

 

pressure test the cooling system you may be lucky, could be something leaking on the engine and burning off.

 

I'm sure you contacted them and explained the problem. Im curious to know their response to this fiasco. Sorry to hear this.

 

Another good way is to check the oil since water sinks in oil, if you leave it over night and in the morning open the drain plug if it's leaking in then you have a bad head gasket.