Hello, I'm looking for thoughts on whether or not to prophylactically add head gasket sealer to my coolant, drive for 20-23 hours home and then have the coolant flushed? Short story is I purchase a 2016 LR4 with low milage on the other side of the country. The previous owner has had both front and back crossover coolant pipes replaced within the last year for preventative purposes, not because there were any issues. He says he doesn't see any drips, nor has he seen the coolant go down but a mechanic had mentioned his reservoir was a bit low during his recent brake job. He states it's never overheated and he doesn't see any reason why it wouldn't make the trip other than the mention of the coolant being just a bit low at some point. Thoughts?

 

@expedio2005 Short answer NO, that stuff will do far more harm than good Get a cheap OBD dongle and torque free for your phone and monitor the actual engine temp.

Before you leave top up to normal, (distilled water is fine) after about 20 minutes pull over and note the hot coolant level (engine running). Then just check the coolant as you drive home, each time you stop for gas or a break. Same thing, engine running compare the level to when you left.

 

Thanks Richard, I agree with your comments. I do have a gap obd reader and will be watching temps and levels like a hawk. I've been told by the previous owner that he has no concerns about it making the trip. I'd hope so, has less than 52k miles on it.

 

If it helps I have an inconsistent leak in my 2015 SCV6, it will be fine for weeks then down about a shot glass or two. The leak is so small I have not found it "yet",but I open the hood and check things out every week just so I know. I will drive 10 or 12 hours and not even think about it.
These do run hot 217 to 220 ish on the move

 

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the comment on operating temperatures! I have a 2014 LR4 that runs at 204.8. I just drove the new 2016 LR4 home 22 hours and going through the Vermont mountains it hit 230 degrees for 10 seconds or so but then averaged 226 degrees until I got out of the mountains. The rest of the drive home it stayed consistently at 221-222 degrees. I was a bit worried all the way home considering my 2014 runs so much cooler. Good news is, no loss of coolant so I think I can put the head gasket failure worry to rest. On a separate note, I could not get my GAP reader to connect to the new LR4 even though GAP team emailed me and said I can use the reader on multiple Land Rovers without having to pay additionally. They said I would just not have access to advanced functionality like module programming etc. I'm wondering if anyone else has successfully been able to use the GAP reader on more than one Rover?

 

My Gap works on all of the LR3's I've had, a friends FFRR, and the wife's Disco Sport-and on the DS it released the parking brakes so I was able to change the rear pads.