So i've jumped in and bought an 03 Discovery II... I purchased it from an auction it has 107k miles on it and it definitely has a blown head gasket. I've removed the heads and they are now at a machine shop getting overhauled, pressure checked, decked and new seals installed. I hope to have the heads back on it by the end of the week and am crossing my fingers that the block doesn't have any issues with the sleeves that I have heard about. I don't think it has a sleeve issue as I drove it for about an hour, with no overheating symptoms. The reason for replacing the head gasket is because it was blowing exhaust out the side next to cylinder 6...kind of sounded like my old lawn mower. Here's the gasket....

It also appears that the prior owner was either inept or their technician did not like them. As it appears they just tried to torque the living crap out of the head bolts in hopes of filling the void from the head gasket?? I have no idea. they also cross threaded one of the spark plugs. Here is a photo of the cross threaded spark plug.



I am looking to do some overlanding (is that a word) this spring summer. I've been off roading before (about 16 years ago) to the G.W. National Forrest between Edinburgh and Woodstock VA. and went on a daytrip at redrock canyon in las vegas. As well as some power line fields and construction sites etc... nothing really crazy.

I look forward to some discussions and hearing what other folks have done that worked and didn't work as well as sharing some of my experiences as they come up and possibly meeting some folks at social events and or off roading expeditions.

Cheers.

 

Welcome to the forum Sgrabina! Glad to have you and hope you find all and any answers you're looking for here.