Hey everyone.

I have a 2006 LR3 V8 SE that has around 243,000 miles on it. A couple of months back, I started to notice coolant leakage around the plastic radiator housing on the passenger side of the vehicle. It looks like the plastic is cracked in a few spots around what I think is one of the the inlet pipes. I also started to notice a good bit of coolant on the ground in the garage after the vehicle was parked for an hour or so. I decided to use one bottle of Bar's Leaks Liquid Aluminum Radiator Stop Leak and it seemed to have done the job of stopping the leakage ending up on the ground.

Just recently I've noticed that the cracks in the plastic I mentioned earlier are leaking again, but, not enough to accumulate much on the ground. I am perfectly fine with keeping a bottle of coolant in the car to top-off the reservoir every once in a while, but I am getting a little hesitant about dealing with a breakdown and causing harm to the engine, and am considering getting the radiator replaced. Of course, cost is a pain, but if it means I get a better chance of getting the LR3 >300,000 miles, it is probably worth it.

Has anyone else had this issue with their LR3? What would y'all recommend I do?

Thanks in advance!

 

Have you gotten a quote on the radiator R&R job? If so, how much?

Personally, I'd replace the radiator....a lot easier than having to replace the entire LR3 because you used a shortcut. Let's face it....they just don't make them like the LR3 anymore. What are you going to buy...a Honda Pilot? These particular Rovers are bulletproof and can do anything. It's worth it....just fix it, man.

 

I am of the opinion that you should never use any Stop Leak type products, unless you 1. Have no other immediate choice, and also 2. Will be able to completely and properly drain and flush the entire cooling system, paying special attention to the Heater Core, the Thermostat, and lower half of the Radiator, within a day or 2 of reaching your destination. Additionally, immediately after the system has been drained and flushed, a thorough pressure test should be performed by someone who will do it properly, to identify what actually needs to be fixed.

Of course I am well aware that you may think I am being snarky, and not helping you - I am choosing to be a little 'dramatic' simply because YMMV hugely with 'stop-leak' type products, and I believe that it simply is not worth taking the risk - hence, my advice is to get it properly diagnosed - is not expensive or difficult.

I do not however have any actual experience with the stop-leak product you used - may have already permanently blocked part of the Radiator and / or Heater Core. Again, talk to a decent shop. Make sure you tell them what you added.

You have obviously taken good care of it, to reach those miles. Nice. Good news - for the most part, coolant leaks are not that difficult to diagnose or fix on these engines. Example, I had a tiny leak, was starting to get a bit worse last week, and my trusted local mechanic diagnosed and fitted a new plastic Coolant Reservoir tank for less than $90 labor. I supplied the new tank for them, from Amazon - cost me about $35. About $125 total, therefore. Could have easily done the job myself, but for less than $100 total labor, I was happy to let them handle it.

Again, one person's 'anecdotal' opinion, but please consider taking it to a decent shop to get it properly sorted.

Opinions and experiences vary greatly with regard to 'additives' - would be interested to know if others have used the same product in the same type of engine.

Simon

 

You never skimp on the cooling system on a Rover, they will soon bite back if you do.

 

Thanks for your reply houm_wa.

I appreciate your take on my situation. Yes, I received a quote for parts/labor of around $700. The mechanic I take my LR3/LR4 to is great and I appreciate his work ethic. I've had work done by him for years now. When I was discussing this radiator issue with him, he brought up a good point that if the radiator did fail while I was driving, it could damage to the engine. With that, he explained that getting the radiator could take some time (upwards of week), where I'd be stuck without the vehicle. I have some longer trips planned later this year, so that part acquisition time hits home.

You bring up a great point in saying that they don't make anything like the LR3 anymore. It's a great vehicle, that's for sure.

Again, I appreciate your advice and will definitely take it into consideration.

Thanks!

 

I appreciate your take, Simon.

First off, I respect your response, so please don't think you're not helping. You bring up some great points and offer a great deal of advice, so thank you.

A little background on the situation where I decided to use the Bar's Leak: I took a trip through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from New York and somehow ended up in Duluth, MN. Long story short, the best trip ever, but cost me a descent chunk of change in gas, food, etc.. When I got back and started to notice the leak I was a bit short on 'resources' to get this fixed properly. I didn't think to do a proper drain/flush of the system, but did a little bit of research about the Bar's Leak and was comfortable putting it in the reservoir. Don't get me wrong, I was pretty nervous about the issues you brought up about the heater core, thermostat, etc. when I put the solution in.

Take a look at my reply houm_wa, I discuss in a bit more detail about my mechanic and how I trust his work. However, I have not discussed the stop-leak addition in too much detail yet, so I will be sure to do that next time I talk to him. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say about it.

It's been a great vehicle, has taken me all over the place!

Was the coolant leak you got fixed recently in your LR3 or RR? Seems like a great deal your mechanic gave ya!

It would be interesting to see if anyone else who has used the additive in the radiator replies to the thread. Hopefully some do.

Thanks again for your take on the situation Simon, I greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks for the reply loanrangie.

It's definitely not the first time I've gotten this advice! Seems like if you own a Rover, you need to do everything possible to keep the air coming in, and the coolant flowing.

Nice looking LR3 you got there, I'm hoping you put it to good use in Australia!

Thanks for your take, I appreciate it.

 

Hi..to keep engine cool and dandy should radiator be changed every so what amount of miles.We have 223,000 miles on it and last time it failed it killed our beloved cat.
I think that was around 160,000 miles.
Is there an upgraded Radiator for LR3 SE V8 4.4 ?
I remember the connectors on the standard units are plastic which is where the last one broke.
Freaking innocent cat didn't deserve this sht.

 

If the rad isn't blocked then its the plastic that generally fails due to the heat cycling, ive not had any cooling issues but as i'm coming up to 17 years old and 245k klms i should change the radiator before next summer.

 

I am at 217k and have a replacement in hand. My last coolant hose from Atlantic British is on the way since hoses are WAY past due, so doing all those along with a new radiator. I want to say at 200k miles I started to notice a small leak and the top input on the radiator had cracked plastic. If not for that, I would not be replacing it. When I do though I plan to cut it apart and see if there is build up in it.