BLOWN HEAD GASKET? 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S

[Dreamn]

At the time of the incident I was towing a caravan and overtaking another van that had a string of traffic backed up behind us.

What I initially thought was smoke began to bellow from the rear of our vehicle. With no loss of power to the engine and committed to overtaking I continued the manoeuvre and to my humiliation pulled over as soon as I got ahead. On pulling up it occurred to me that what I thought was smoke from the rear was steam from the bonnet and instantly turned the engine off noting the temperature gauge which was above normal but not indicating overheating.

RACQ towed the vehicle to the local Land Rover service mechanic in Townsville who described the failed plastic component that had split at the seam as “the thermostat but not really a thermostat”.

Late in the afternoon two days later we picked the vehicle up from the service department and drove it without issue a short distance to our accommodation. The next day we began our departure North with the van in tow but travelled no further than 100m and the low water indicator came on. I pulled over and topped it up thinking maybes there had been an air lock or something when the radiator was refilled. The temperature gauge was sitting around normal however there was obvious pressure build up within the fluid filler.

We travelled another few kilometres and the same thing happened (again temperature gauge appeared normal but had pressure build up). Again I topped it up but this time headed off with the intention of finding a safe place to turn around and head back to Land Rover but as I came to the top of the hill about a kilometre down the road the overheating alarm sounded and the vehicle was shut down immediately. Another RACQ trip back to Land Rover.

The Mechanic says its likely that I had blown the head gasket in the initial incident even though he claims to have pressure tested it for a considerable time after the initial repair. To be honest I suspect he is correct however I don’t have any confidence in this guy (too long a story that sidetracks). I have spoken with another Land Rover specialist that doesn’t disagree but says he has never heard of a blown head gasket in this motor and suggests that there could possibly be other causes..i.e. electronic fault.

Any thoughts?

[TerryO]

When they overheat there is also a O ring that seals the waterpump into the block that often starts to leak. Don't thnk that would cause your issue but it might be something that also needs to be replaced when the other works is being done.

By the way I to have never read of a TDV6 blowing a head gasket either, heard of some other very nasty things like big ends failing destroying the crank and block but not a head gasket. I'd interested to hear how an electrical problem can cause massive over heating othen than a fire?

If its any consulation they can buy a new TDV6 engine from LR for a lot less than you would think and LR usually have plenty in stock. I had an engine replaced under warranty less than a year ago so have an idea what it cost the non LR dealer to buy it. In fact it worked out cheaper and better value to buy a new one then to keep on trying to fix the old one as more and more problems kept surfacing.

cheers,
Terry

[Dreamn]

Thanks Terry, I’ll be sure to mention the O ring to the mechanic that I have do the work. I wasn’t really game enough to even consider a new motor though. The suggestion that the replacement of the head gaskets estimated 25 hours @ $150 an hour by the LR service mechanic was enough to scare the daylights out of me .

We have only just begun a tour of Aus and this will chew considerably into our mechanical emergencies budget already .

[Graeme]

Not particularly in reference to a TDV6 head but a cracked head might test OK when cold and still leak compression when hot.

[Dreamn]

I'm guessing the same would possibly apply to a blown head gasket? (read cracked head sounds more expensive). Although I’m guessing a hairline fracture is more likely to be undetected until expanded with higher temperatures and pressures from towing? If so..can a cracked head be repaired these days or is replacement the only option?

[Graeme]

I wouldn't be spending any money trying to repair a cracked head on a modern vehicle and if 1 head on the engine is cracked, there's a significant risk of the other also being cracked. Hopefully its something much simpler and cheaper.

[TerryO]

Seriously that kind of labour bill would be about the same as for fitting a new engine. A new fitted crate long engine including labour depending on how much they decide to charge you for the engine should be around $12,500 to $13,500 all up. Especially if they order the engine as a stock item which means they then get a even bigger discount.

if they charge you full RRP then it would be a lot more. Ask for a quote and see what they come up with or shop around get a price elsewhere and then ask them to match it.

Cheers,
Terry

[CaverD3]

EGR valves? The EGR cooler can leak?

[talltales]

Have you any idea of the approx. cost to repair the head gaskets. I seem to have the same problem a seen by my post "Losing Coolant TDV6 S". My mechanic and i have come to the conclusion after reading your post and not finding any obvious leaks (hot or cold) that I am burning the coolant out my exhaust.
Have you had it fixed yet?

[CaverD3]

Check if you are not loosing the coolant through the egr cooler as it would also be lost through the exhaust as well. Cheaper option to check first before taking the heads off.