Bad News? (Murphy factor)

[Four Boar]

:o I just got in contact with David Jones and puchased my new engine saver
l8 last week. It is due to arrive next week (this week coming).

However with the Murphy factor, my 98' Disco Tdi did the unthinkable, and when I looked down at the temp gauge and it said HOT. Pulled up streight away, and saw no coolent left in its tank but a few puddles here and there. No steam, no sign of the engine been cooked. Towed it off the Hway and filled it with water which it was holding untill we started it and it started bubleing out the cap. Dad said it was unusual that the water system that is uaually a seperate unit had bubles cuming through the system while we had the cap off!

What are ur opinions?
What could I expect?

Fingers crossed.
Kind Regards Calum

[RobHay]

Blowen head gasket!

[B92 8NW]

Yep, if the coolant tank is bubbling like a jacuzzi, head gasket.

[Bush65]

Most likely head gasket as the others have said.

Most optimistic scenario (without seeing it personally), is another water leak, such as P gasket cause water loss, and when you topped up the water you had much air in the system and it was being expelled through the expansion tank.

Be very careful filling it with water if it has done a head gasket. If standing for a while the water level goes down, it may have leaked into the cylinder. Then if you try and start it you could destroy the engine (water will not compress).

Check the engine dip stick for water.

[Four Boar]

I love my Landy and I cant believe this happend. Any ideas how, was it the faulty cap or something else? I know it is hard to tell with out seeing it. It was running so well....

What price should I expect to pay in the shop for a blown head?
Also I have been told two different things, so is it possible to do a compression test with a blown head?

[Four Boar]

Bush65 we decided to go with the water so we were not to waste coolent, a short term thing, is this alright??? Should I expect the rings to be buggered?

[EchiDna]

strong chance you only have exhaust gas coming into the coolant...
BUT if the water is also going the other way (into a cylinder) you could seriously damage the motor... water as coolant will be fine in the short term, however I wouldn't drive it and your best bet is assume the worst IMHO, and get the head off to assess it properly.

[Four Boar]

What is IMHO?

[procrastination inc]

In My Humble Opinion

[spudboy]

If you caught it in time, it might be just the head gasket, which is not too bad to get fixed. If the head is warped then you have additional bigger problems :(. Hopefully it will be a gasket only fix.

Cheers
David

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Do your research on the site, before jumping into something,, LOTS of blown gaskets here, lots of posts about rebuilding diesels,,

spend an hour and read up.


and good luck!:D

[mcrover]

As good as the informatin on this site is, nothing is better than someone experienced actually seeing the car and what it is doing.

If you had your location filled out then people may be able to refer you to others near you or good repair shops.

IMHO, I would get it looked at by one of the more mechanically minded members to look at it and then take it to a trusted repair shop on a tow truck.

If you go on what a few people on here say then with every problem with a diesel engine, your pulling the head off and if the temp needle moves then you throw out the engine and buy a new one but they are not that bad, it could just be a dodgey cap worn water pump or a stuck thermostat or even a combination of things but it does sound like an exhaust spa bath to me as well.

[PeterM]

And yes, you can to a comp test with a blow head gasket, it'll have a significant drop in the effected cylinders.

[Tote]

I love my Landy and I cant believe this happend. Any ideas how, was it the faulty cap or something else? I know it is hard to tell with out seeing it. It was running so well....

What price should I expect to pay in the shop for a blown head?
Also I have been told two different things, so is it possible to do a compression test with a blown head?

Check the heater hose that runs between the back of the engine and the firewall, I've had one chafe through causing a loss of coolant and a blown head gasket.
Regards,
Tote

[300+]

If you have access to a exhaust gas analyser wave it over the coolant tank while it is bubbling. Any exhaust gas here is bad and shows blown head gasket.

In my case the car was more or less OK, but would pressurise the water system (couldn't squeeze the pipes by hand) and used some water on long trips/hard work.

Cheers, Steve

[Four Boar]

Towed her to British Off Road, where I was quoted $4K, and was told they could not do a comp test?!? Why $4K??? I think they have to cover themselves just incase they have to go all the way.

I will be talking to the other mechanic who is doing the job next week as to what actually caused this?? Cos she was running so well!!!

Im so upset/cut!
Just shattered.:(