Thread: Externally Leaking Head Gasket V8

Originally Posted by Cannon

I decided to put the BattleTruck in to a specialist Northside Landy Mob to have a coolant leak fixed with a new water pump & as I'm going down the LPG route I thought I'd get the engine checked to make sure all is OK before I go ahead.

Got a phone call at 9:00 which got me thinking "this can't be good" & unfortunately I was right

I was told it was not the water pump but the head gasket which is leaking from the corners which apparently is quite common.

I was quoted $3700 to fix including reconditioning the heads specifically for LPG & a few other things, I can't remember.....(must have blacked out momentarily ) I haven't got the written quote yet so I'll update when I do as to specifics.

Anyhoo when I went to pick it up & the work order said that it is leaking 'externally'. Gotta be better than internally I guess.

The guy who worked on it was out so I couldn't get an answer as to how bad is an external leak?

This is why I'm here. How bad is it? Will I have time to be able to sell one of my kids I mean kidneys? Or will I have to move on this quick smart?

Thanks for reading

If the engine has no signs of internal leakage then the leaks will be confined to the water gallery parts of the head gaskets, namely at each end only. This is a common problem and can be halted by simple radiator stop-leak solution. However new head and valley gaskets will be all you need to replace if you decide to do it properly. The heads DO NOT need to be done up for gas as they are very well made unless you are really intending on severely overloading it. LPG usually has little to do with Land Rover engine death, although the ignition leads and plugs need to be changed to make it reliable on gas.

i'm feeling a little more at ease now...thanks mate

i'll give the guy a ring tomorrow to find out exactly what's going on.

Originally Posted by bee utey

If the engine has no signs of internal leakage then the leaks will be confined to the water gallery parts of the head gaskets, namely at each end only. This is a common problem and can be halted by simple radiator stop-leak solution. However new head and valley gaskets will be all you need to replace if you decide to do it properly. The heads DO NOT need to be done up for gas as they are very well made unless you are really intending on severely overloading it. LPG usually has little to do with Land Rover engine death, although the ignition leads and plugs need to be changed to make it reliable on gas.

I hope I understand you correctly.

Are you saying that if the leak is in the water galleries ONLY then the engine will be fine on LPG or petrol with a stop-leak additive every coolant change?

Will the gaskets need doing eventually?

I hope so because something's going to have to go be it car or boat

not allowed to sell kids

Originally Posted by Cannon

I hope I understand you correctly.

Are you saying that if the leak is in the water galleries ONLY then the engine will be fine on LPG or petrol with a stop-leak additive every coolant change?

Will the gaskets need doing eventually?

I hope so because something's going to have to go be it car or boat

not allowed to sell kids

The head gasket seepage indicates weakness/loss of clamping in the thin section of the gasket alongside the end of the heads. The pic I have is of a P76 engine but the D2 should look much the same. I have witnessed many leaking gaskets, and yes, one failed gasket where the thin bit blew out. The stop leak will certainly contain the leak for a considerable time (50K?) but replacing the gaskets is going to be a longer term fix. If it is a faint weeping you can expect good results from the stop leak but if its a gusher forget it. Fit a coolant level alarm for peace of mind as there are plenty of other bits of D2 that can leak coolant.

I have the same problem with my wifes D1, it is only seeping out and would use no more than 1/4 of liter in 2 months, Question : what is the best brand of coolant inhibitor. sorry to hijack the thread

regards simon

Originally Posted by gonfishen

I have the same problem with my wifes D1, it is only seeping out and would use no more than 1/4 of liter in 2 months, Question : what is the best brand of coolant inhibitor. sorry to hijack the thread

regards simon

Dunno about the best, I have been using Castrol inhibitor for 20 years and haven't regretted it. No long term corrosion noted yet.

Sorry i ment stop leak not inhibitor.

simon

Originally Posted by gonfishen

Sorry i ment stop leak not inhibitor.

simon

I have used the Nulon Radiator Stop Leak product for a few years now, no problems with gunking up encountered yet.