Hello new to the forum and looking for some advice. I recently picked up an 03 Disco with 147k for $1,500 knowing the engine may be bad. Its is in great shape with a good service history and everything works. However it has a horrid knocking that sounds like it is in a cylinder or the drivers side head. It is definately not in the lower end. There is no coolant in the oil nor obvious filings and no oil in the coolant. It is missing on at least one cylinder and a smell of coolant but no obvious leaks.

Now with that preface, I had an 04 that had a cronic head gasket or head issue that was fixed under warrantee. After the third incident I got rid of it. Today I have been reading all kinds of post and fear the dreaded slipped sleave. Would this cause that kind of severe knock? I mean, it is bad ( Loud ) at idle all the way up to higher rpm's. Could a sucked valve be that noisy?

I don't want to waste a bunch of time tearing down the motor if it would be time beneficial to just replace it. But if one of you wiseones believe its in the head, i'll get after it.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Sounds like a dropped sleeve to me.
Some say it cant happen, but I dont believe them.
Since you bought it knowing it may need a engine go ahead and pull the heads and see whats up.