Hello all,

Just doing all my research and getting up to speed on these cars, was a big toyota guy for years, but after a while out of the game decided to pull the trigger on a D2, second car for the family so not quite as important to be always up and running. Planning on doing all my own maintenance if I can.

Specs

2004 S
Bought it at 88k mi
No SLS, ACE or Sun Roofs
Does have Cold weather package so heated seats and heated wind shield

Got it in Cali at auction, had a friend so some maintenance and drive it up

First base line maintenance done
Oil change
power steering
Coolant flush (thermosat)
belt
brake flush
ect.

Has a few issues
Door lock actuators (both rear)
Coolant leak - now diagnosed as external hg leak

Will be taking care of those in the near future as I am doing my research

 

Greetings and welcome to the forum. Looks like you are starting to enjoy the pain and pleasure of owning a Discovery. Try using the search as your problem won't be the first and there is a wealth of information on here.

Download a free copy of the RAVE, full workshop manual. You also want to think about getting a 180 thermostat when you change and an ultragauge em as well is a must for all discovery owners.

 

Thanks for the heads up, been reading all the threads I can find, a lot, and reading lots of other topics. Search is working well, I enjoy how this forum also has tags, helps a lot for relating subjects.

Got the RAV, a few tutorials, the Bosch engine manual, ect getting well equipped with info, now just need more funds and time.

already did the 180 thermostat when I bought it as a part of the initial service - followed most things in the 60k service and working my way through the rest.

 

Welcome!

You probably saw this in the forums but you can ride a slow externally leaking head gasket for quite a while if you are obsessive about checking coolant levels. You'll get of sense of whether its a steady leak and if/when volume loss increases. I ran for much longer than I'd like to admit while saving up the dough for a proper head gasket job, which I paid an expert to get done in less than 24 hours!

 

haha, what I am currently doing.

I got a coolant pressure tester and found it to be
The leak is rear rh side

and front and rear lh side, checked compression ect.


Leaks about an inch in the reservoir a week, depending on warmup/cool down cycles. (My commute is <2 mi) and much less if I am actually running engine at temp for longer

Curiosity, since we are in the same area, where did you have yours done?

I am planning on doing it myself but also open to options

 

I would recommend this SnapOn piece for you, if you decided DIY. I broke couple of Craftsman extractors before getting this one for $30. It works like a charm.

 

Thanks, still getting things together and I will look into it

 

I got my HG's done at Green Oval in Portland since I go down there a few times per month anyway. I've also used Lamorna in Ballard and would recommend them as well.

Reasons? Honest diagnosis, gave options, understood budgets, quality work, fair price.

I hear Biggs in Belleview is good but have no personal experience.

FWIW my leak was only on the RH side, rear of head and was maybe 1/2" of coolant loss per month with several freeway drives... yours sounds more advanced and closer to time to jump on it.

Good Luck!