Disco II v8 is this reasonable

[mrapocalypse]

My old 2002 disco V8 has had a mild coolant leak for a while. I started to fault trace it and it definitely needs a new Radiator there’s a slight leak in top screw hole. But I bypassed the throttle body de icer and now it has shown up that the overflow bottle is cracked too. So my question - could the system be pressurizing from head gasket? Or hopefully I have just moved the leak along to the next weak point by bypassing the deicer? There was coolant residue all over the tappet cover so de icer was definitely a leak point.. Also I'm assuming there is always some pressure in the cooling system? The disco has no white sludge on oil filler cap and sump oil is lovely and fresh. But there can be a hot coolant smell but no steam from exhaust. Haven’t checked the plugs but just hoping cooling system isn’t being pressurized by cylinder leak. More likely a slight head gasket leak to outside from somewhere that drops onto something hot although no puddles. It generally used about a third of a coke can every 700 to 1000k and has done for five years. I’m hoping it can go a few more years without machining heads etc. we love it but Can’t justify blowing thousands on it. Thanks. Ian.

[trout1105]

From what you are saying it sounds like the head gaskets are just about toast unfortunately.

[mrapocalypse]

I’ve been quoted at least $3500-$400 for the heads. Which is actually a LOT cheaper than a new Discovery. By a margin of about $97k. 😀

[Roverlord off road spares]

check underneath the expansion tank for crazing and weeping , does occasionally happen hard to see, the heads warps slightly a coolant weeps, check the water pump pee hole and the core of the radiator behind the grille for weepinage from i the core. all these give off coolant smells, other wise its a headgasket internal seep, but you usually don't smell coolant

[Roverlord off road spares]

I’ve been quoted at least $3500-$400 for the heads. Which is actually a LOT cheaper than a new Discovery. By a margin of about $97k. 😀
can you swing tools not hard to do, will save you $ thousands in labour. get heads machined and hardness and pressure tested if te heads are toast then add more to your 3-4k quote I'd imagine they'll charge you.

[mrapocalypse]

can you swing tools not hard to do, will save you $ thousands in labour. get heads machined and hardness and pressure tested if te heads are toast then add more to your 3-4k quote I'd imagine they'll charge you.

I’m researching that right now. Last time I did a head gasket was on a IIA back 1989.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

you could try just retorqueing the heads [bighmmm][bigwhistle]

[mrapocalypse]

check underneath the expansion tank for crazing and weeping , does occasionally happen hard to see, the heads warps slightly a coolant weeps, check the water pump pee hole and the core of the radiator behind the grille for weepinage from i the core. all these give off coolant smells, other wise its a headgasket internal seep, but you usually don't smell coolant

The expansion tank is toast. Ill have a look at the other spots. Radiator is also almost toast. Actually the whole Landy is nearly toast but whatever. 😀👍👍

[mrapocalypse]

you could try just retorqueing the heads [bighmmm][bigwhistle]

I’ll give them a stern Torquing too.

[Roverlord off road spares]

I’ll give them a stern Torquing too.
the bolts are torque to yeild, so givihg them a torqueing to will only stretch them. they are one use bolts.

[Tins]

I’m researching that right now. Last time I did a head gasket was on a IIA back 1989.

Principle is exactly the same. Take off all the fancy plumbing and it's just a V8.

[V8Ian]

Before jumping to conclusions and ripping into the depths of mechanical grief, get the coolant tested for evidence of exhaust gas.

[mrapocalypse]

Before jumping to conclusions and ripping into the depths of mechanical grief, get the coolant tested for evidence of exhaust gas.

Now that is a good idea. Thank you all.

[Roverlord off road spares]

Before jumping to conclusions and ripping into the depths of mechanical grief, get the coolant tested for evidence of exhaust gas.
does always pic up a head gasket, some have had a sniffer test and later discovered a H/G gone, but yes it would be th cheapest option.

[mrapocalypse]

The kit is less than $200. It’s the head machining thats daunting. As well as being deep into the repair and finding a porous block or unrepairable head. .

[V8Ian]

It's a small loss that hasn't gotten worse in five years. I wouldn't be disturbing the heads, ignorance is bliss.
If it was head gaskets, it would have got progressively worse.

[mrapocalypse]

It's a small loss that hasn't gotten worse in five years. I wouldn't be disturbing the heads, ignorance is bliss.
If it was head gaskets, it would have got progressively worse.

That’s my opinion too. I’m going to refurb the cooling system and see where that gets me. I would do that with new head gaskets anyway. Thanks for advice.