Headgasket??

[setsuna]

well the wifes freelander is loosing coolant.

its a 2litre Diesel, circa 2000. L series, not the TD4.

its pushing it out of the top of the filler/tank.
seems to only do it coming up our really steep hill (~3kms of steep incline, almost foot to the floor stuff)

I assume this would be caused from leaking headgaset, but is there another possible cause?? I don't want to pull the whole thing down and not have fixed the problem!!

cheers

David

[Scouse]

Overheating under load is usually a cooling system efficiency issue.

Start with the basics:
When was the last time the coolant was replaced & the radiator flushed out?
Are the fans operating OK?
Are you lugging it in gear up the hill?

[setsuna]

Coolant replaced yesterday with 50% antifreeze.
has a brand new radiator, fitted around 12months ago.

fans do operate. tested on idle.
speed limit up the hill is 80km/hr so plenty of airflow, and decent revs too (~2k I guess)

David

[setsuna]

oh yes, and the dash temp gauge dosn't move past the usual halfway.

[woko]

Sounds like a cooling system fault. If it was head gasket it would do it all the time.

[101RRS]

Do you have air in the system - have you bled it recently?

Garry

[Blknight.aus]

check the cap, thermostat and the coolant pump...

if the flow rates a little low the thermostats not giving its A game and the caps gotten a bit weak that'll give you the same symptom set.

[camel_landy]

Yep, I'd go with what the others have said & check all the basics first.

That engine is bomb-proof and come to think of it, I've never actually heard of a head gasket going in one yet!!??!!

M

[setsuna]

Bled the cooling system as per manual.
quite an easy to do, undo the bleed screw, bleed, do it up, check hot air from incabin.

The Radiator tank, and filler cap are basically brand new. (replaced ~6months ago)

will look into thermostat and water pump!
thanks guys!

[setsuna]

oh something I did notice that was weird.
I ran some chemiweld through it *cough*
disconnected the fans, and let it idle.

after some time the coolant (water) suddenly starting 'surging' bubbling up in the tank.
I assumed it was just starting to get to the boiling point -- but again the temp gauge on dash read normal??