Thread: td5 - Please don't tell me its my head gasket again!!

I believe that the temp gauge doesn't really give you a true temp reading, more that it sits at half way if the temp is an acceptable range. You won't know if the engine is getting a bit warm, only if it overheats. Not real useful. To really read temperature, you need a device to read the ecu (like a nanocom). Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will either back me up here, or correct me.

Sounds like you're getting the same symptoms as my disco, unfortunately I'm about 5000km from home, out here at Uluru, so I'm hoping it'll hold together a bit longer!

You should be able to get someone (radiator people) to do a pressure test on the system, which will tell you if there is a leak of exhaust gases into the cooling system.

If it's chipped and has the EGR removed, an EGT gauge would be a good idea, as that can give you an idea of the load the engine is under.

The temp gauge is feed from the ECU.
As Pinelli said once it hits normal operating temp the gauge sits 1/2 way.
It needs about 20 Deg. more to move again.

Also try and find a radiator shop to preasure test the system.
Both with the motor off and running.

A question for the other AULRO forumites...
Would the water pump have any effect with these symptoms?

Check that the thremostate is working correctly.
When it's up to normal temp, feel the coolant hoses. The hose from the drives side of the radiator down to thermostat should be hot like the ones one the other side of the thermostat.

As Pinelli said a nanocom or similar should be mandatory for every TD5 owner. Engine saver, coolant alarm should be mandatory as well - check the 'Shop'. Doesn't sound good, but it is possible for a cooling system to have an external leak (check everywhere) and as it cools down it sucks air in to the system. The TD5 tends to trap air in the top radiator hose and as this heats it can pressurise the cooling system with your symptoms. If you had an engine saver fitted with the sensor in the bleed screw of the top hose this would manifest itself as the alarm coming on with the key turned on but probably going off as coolant starts to flow and covers the sensor. This will also happen with head gasket leaks etc, but fix all external leaks first.

Bleed your cooling system completely or air, fill the overflow bottle completely, start the engine as it heats up if you start to get bubbles coming out you have a problem. Get a radiator shop to test for combustion gases in your coolant. Start building the brownie points with SWAMBO.

Thanks for the replies so far.. though i don't think i happy about the possibility of it overheating!!!

It has never smelled hot and the viscous fan and thermo fans haven't been on that we have noticed..

I do have a new thermostat sitting in shed, and my first job when i get a chance is to change that.. i'm just not feeling too confident that it is causing the water to overflow without other tell tale signs of it overheating!

You can get a cheap test done to test for presence of exhaust gases I header tank.

From my experiences over the last 18 mths with my '99 D2 manual TD5..(300K on odometer)...developed leak after leak in the cooling system; after I fixed one thing another would surface......in the end, the whole cooling system has been replaced including the expensive oil cooler.

Had similar symptoms with cooling system pressurising and pushing water our of overflow. Was checking daily to ensure adequate coolant and no trips out of my town to be sure. I found that if I accelerated hard (more boost ) a short time later the temp would elevate but return to normal shortly after.

Over time, I'd had the cooling system pressurised as suggested and nothing showed up. Eventually got jack of it and sent it to Hiline 4wd Traralgon (a mate) for the head to be pulled hoping it was the gasket.....no it wasn't. Unfortunately I now have a bill for a new head and associated work.

I hope yours is just your gasket again and not the head, it changes an expensive repair into one that makes your heart skip a beat. New heads are in the range $2500-$3000 plus labour, gasket, etc.

Best of luck!!

Hmmm, sounding worse and worse, shame i don't have any landrover specialists locally.... might have to get on the end of the phone and start making some calls....

Can do all the work myself, just not wanting to go into the expense, if not required.....