Coolant Issue
 

2012 LR4 HSE Mechanical Help Request: I removed the intake manifold to clean the throttle body. When I replaced the manifold, I unknowingly broke the radiator coolant overflow tank hose in the hard plastic section (see example part here: ). I drove about 5 miles before getting a low coolant light and fortunately pulled over in front of an auto parts store. I was able to see what I had done, then cut the hard plastic part of the hose and clamped a rubber hose onto the two ends. I then refilled (likely overfilled) the coolant reservoir with 100% coolant, not the recommended 50/50 water/coolant combo. I had no problems while I waited for the new replacement host to arrive 3 days later. When I replaced the full hose today, installation was quite easy and I've had no problems with driving (only about 5 miles again) or any warning lights coming on. However, I have a good bit of coolant leaking from the bottom of the car. The reservoir remains full. There are no cracks or leaks in the hose, nothing leaking from the clamped areas to the reservoir or radiator or the part that plugs into another hose near the throttle body (not sure what that's called). When I shine a light to the bottom of the engine when it's running I can see a drip from somewhere above but can't identify it. Any thoughts on if this is an actual leak or excess coolant being released or something else that I may have inadvertently broken during the install? The only thing I can think of is where the hard plastic part plugs into the other hose but can't seem to see any leak.

have the front and rear crossovers pipes been replaced recently? It may be coincidence but if the front crossover is leaking it will leak into the V and down the front out of sight and drip onto the skid plates. The rear typically leaks down the back of the engine onto the transmission and down from there. The front [if fleaking or hasnt been replaced] is a recipe for disaster as it can let go and pump most of your coolant out before you can shut down the engine warping the heads and block..
It could also be a leaking water pump or thermostat housing [both will be on the front of the engine]. the oem coolant will show up under ultraviolet light so that may help you isolate the issue.

Neither have been replaced as far as I know. I'm the 2nd owner and got it with 96k miles and it is now close to 160k. I'm just shocked by the "coincidence" of having it go from working just fine with no leaks with a temporary hose to now leaking in an unknown area. I must have done something to agitate a seal or line to cause the leak. The coolant is pooling on the driver side of the skid plate and leaking from there.

Don’t be overly hard on yourself.
1. at 160k, those hoses owe you nothing.
2. If the coolant hadn’t been changed on some schedule, it is not helping.
3. This is the car god telling you, “just replace all the hoses now”.

I was able to determine that at 90k miles the water pump and the radiator were both replaced which leads me to believe that the cross over pipes were also replaced (just not called out directly on the carfax). I also ordered part lr012636 https://landroverforums.com/forum/images/misc/amazon_icon.gif" border="0" alt="Amazon" /> Amazon

Replaced the overflow hose (LR013687), the thermostat water outlet (LR045238 and LR049989) and the front crossover pipe (LR018275) today. Buttoned it back up, put in the coolant, bled it out and still getting a nice steady leak. Again, all from replacing the original overflow hose. Next guess is water pump and/or thermostat?

Pressure tested the system and found the culprit. The overflow hose that goes into the water pump pushes into a plastic seal that sits in the water pump. That seal was cracked and causing any sort of pressure to force it to spew coolant. Called Land Rover to buy the plastic piece since it is easily pulled out and they said, "Sorry. We don't sell it separately. You'll need to buy the water pump." $325 later and the problem is fixed. I must of agitated it when replacing the original overflow hose. Doh.

Note: If you have the time to wait you can buy the piece off of ebay for $7 - $15 with a new brass fitting. See here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/33470722588...mis&media=COPY

thanks for following up and letting the rest of us know the fix.

that will likely be helpful to someone in the future.