Externally Leaking Head Gasket V8

I'd like to add my info if it can help.

I went down this road last year after the coolant loss in the V8 reached about 0.5 ltr every 300K.

Got 3 quotes from LR specialists (one was a dealership) they were $1600, $1750 and $2800. This is a base cost and did not include any liner replacements, cam work etc etc.

I chose the $1750 for many reasons but also the $88 pre-work inspection fee is waived if the job goes ahead.
The job inclued an engine block pressure check and the heads examined and cleaned (not refurbished). In my case block and heads all checked out ok.

Good luck

Well, I've done about 800kms since the Stop Leak was added to the coolant & so far so good:)

The coolant level hasn't moved & the radiator hoses are spongy when cold again.

I'm thinking I'll get the LPG on & hopefully I'll save enough money on fuel so that if/when I have to get the gasket done I'll have some spare cash:)

Do you think SWMBO will belive that one? ;)

Irontite ceramic sealant is supposed to seal up small cracks and leaks well - you can buy it off eBay from the UK. A lot of P38 RR owners have used it.

P38 Range rover V8 cracked block/head repair. IRONTITE on eBay (end time 01-Jul-10 18:32:46 BST)

I've heard about this on the weekend.

Certainly worth considering.

I think it's cheaper directly from the US.

Irontite by Kwik-Way Inc.

It's a fairly involved process when done properly but way cheaper than a new gasket.

One of the guys at our last LROCB trip was talking about it.

He had been talking to the distributor in the UK who said that he puits it in all of his engines after head work.

Reckons it fixes a porous block as well.

He drives a P38.

A little bit of info that has me puzzled:confused:

The coolant levels had been fine for a couple of weeks now with the climate control in ECON mode. This mode prevents the aircon compressor from running.

But I ran the climate control on the weekend normally i.e AUTO for a couple of hours & found that I'd lost about 200mls of coolant.

Is there an extra part of the cooling system that is used when the Aircon compressor is running or is it just extra pressure on the system?

Just a little update.

Things have been going swimmingly for the last month or so until this week.

Started losing heaps of coolant.....somewhere???

Had the cooling system pressure tested & the pressure dropped a very small amount but the outside of the engine where it was leaking previously was dry as.

We then did a gas test of the coolant & the bloody stuff turned yellow:mad:

So I've booked it in for a poverty pack head gasket replacement;)

They quoted best case scenario about $1500.

Fingers crossed:)

Sorry to hear that mate. How many ks on her?

Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ozscott

Sorry to hear that mate. How many ks on her?

Cheers

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135K so I'm hoping the heads are still OK.

Still running like dream though:)

For anyone interested I got my car back yesterday.

Heads were in great condition so just a skim & clean up reqd.

Inside the engine looked tops apparently & gasket was leaking into no. 2 cylinder ( from memory)

So all gaskets replaced, brittle plastic hoses replaced with rubber & a new set of Platinum spark plugs for a total cost of $1747:)

I'm a happy chappy & I can now drive with confidence.