V8 D2 long term weep question

**1976_michelle** · 22nd June 2014, 11:14 AM

If one has a D2 with headgaskets that have been weepy from way back (been weepy for years going by conversations with past owners mechanics with their records indicating it was just maintained with additive)
and the current water usage is generally lucky to be about 500ml every 5000/10000 kms, will just doing the head gaskets be enough or is there more at fault (such as... deformity in the shape of the head itself which would require.. total replacement of engine). Runs fine, nice power for a flying brick, fuel economy a bit poorer than it used to be (about 18/19 L/100km if I am working it out right where as we had 15/16ish initially on a long trip, no water in oil, no spluttering, no known overheating but I've only had for 2 years.

The original servicing mechanic said most of the D2's he'd come across had this to a degree. Another mechanic recently said don't bother when I noted the volume of water used.

Question asked because have just had a heart attack with a pool of water beneath my car (heart attack abated when closer inspection shows it looks like it is coming from the washer bottle but still got me thinking about future action).

Wanted to spend my tax return getting it on to LPG but maybe I should do this first

**bee utey** · 22nd June 2014, 03:25 PM

A head gasket weep is not in itself dangerous to the engine, but a sudden loss of coolant is. I'd suggest that the first thing you invest in is a low coolant alarm, so that you can stop the engine within seconds of a dangerous coolant loss.

As for LPG, the $1000 fitting rebate evaporates in 8 days time so it's going to cost you full price after July 1.

**clubagreenie** · 22nd June 2014, 04:03 PM

****.

HG's and assoc stuff isn't that expensive. I'll say it first though PLEASE USE STUDS WHEN REBUILDING. I did mine over christmas (again) and HG's, water pump, all gaskets, plugs, everything was well less than $500-. Labour is the killer. The issues you get are the heads if overheated can go soft so while they're off if you get them serviced have them hardness tested.

**1976_michelle** · 22nd June 2014, 04:26 PM

I'm too late for my rebate, didn't know they were scrapping it, bastards, but never mind. Given rough memory of my old D1 used to get me on LPG for my weekly travels (450km) the savings vs my 19l/100km petrol should pay for itself in a year or so anyway on a $3500 injected system..
But would rather sort this HG out beforehand, so mechanic doesn't have work around all the addons
I lost my email account with my information for the correct low coolant alarm, though if I recall the link is around here somewhere
Do you have some single location that you picked all the other bits up from? Would like to get the items together in advance. Or maybe if I just copy your shopping list to my favourite ebay seller he'll be able to get it together

**scarry** · 22nd June 2014, 06:20 PM

One of my brothers has done his recently.It was weeping for around 8yrs.The only reason he eventually did it was it was down on power,as the camshafts were worn,it had done over 300000K's.There was nothing wrong with the heads.

As others have said,get the low coolant alarm,or keep a good eye on it,and you could leave it for a while.

Or if it is annoying you,get it done.
If you can't do it yourself,hopefully you have a trusty LR specialist that is good.

**1976_michelle** · 22nd June 2014, 07:25 PM

Yep we'll go a while longer (must stop putting off that coolant alarm though). She hasn't **** herself yet, but will start gettihng bits together anyway (esp the bits that don't need to be of fresh vintage, Im' assuming the actual gaskets shouldn't hang around for years before they are used?)
Thanks

Road Stone · 22nd June 2014, 09:21 PM

You can buy the whole HG kit from some of the UK sellers.

I'm sure and Australian supplier would do the same.

Cheer Jerry

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