So I have a 1996 land rover discovery me and the fiance love. It has 185 k on it. Just recently it started sounding like we were driving a 2 stroke and we were diagnosed with an external blown head gasket down by the exhaust manifold. We were estimated at 5k to get fixed. Cant find anyone else to touch it where we live. Is there any advice? They said we basically needed a whole new motor or it would keep happening.

 

Where do you live? A head job should cost you max 2K. There is about 300-500 in parts involved and the rest is labor. I have a local mech that charges $1400.

How handy are you? All the info is available in the RAVE manual if you want to attack the project.

 

not a terribly complicated job, what is your location?
Someone on the site could possibly recommend someone local too you only $3500 cheaper

 

agree with aboves...5k for a hg job is the kind of price you get if they do not want to do the work.......

 

I live in a small town in northern California. The closest shop it 45 mins away. I have always worked on my own.vehicles for the most part. Just didnt know about an external head gasket. Is that the same kit and a regular blown head gasket.

 

it is just one of varying symptoms of hg failure. exhaust can go into coolant, vice versa , coolant or exhaust can sneak out the top of the block.......etc pretty common symptom pfff pfff pffff. you do not want to drive with it. it can cause damage (groove) the block.
but you just have to get the heads off and to a machine shop. have them checked out. but even if you had to get another set of heads (doubtful), you are still saving plenty

 

So if I get the kit will.this solve my whole problem? Lol.

 

a head gasket is a head gasket, a lot of R&R bolts and cleaning. Buy your self a head gasket kit and a set of ARP studs, unlike other vehicles you are used too you can not reuse the head bolts. You a probably looking at 10-12 hours.

 

Does this require.special tools becuz.thats what ive been told

 

not really... breaker bar and cheater pipe and a swivel socket can be useful..... I bet there is some lrt that costs $700 that you can use, if you want.