How to bullet proof TD5 engine for towing

**paulstuart** · 29th January 2014, 06:20 PM

Just purchased a new Off Road camper trailer in December 2013 that will be pulled by my 2003 Discovery TD5 auto. I have had it out twice now on the black top, and both times the motor has over heated. Before the second time out I had it to a Land Rover specialist in Bentley WA, I explained to them that it had over heated returning from Esperance, and if he could have a look at it to see if there are any issues with the cooling system. They flushed the cooling system which they said was fine, and replaced the viscous fan with a new unit. With those repairs done I was pretty confident that the Disco was ready to pull about 1500kg any where in Oz. So the second time out was going fine until I hit a few hills down near Dwellingup, I had been travelling at about 90km/h when the air con got warm and the temp needle started to move. I was watching the needle like a hawk and reduced my speed, but this was no help as the needle suddenly dropped the cold position and engine shut down. I pulled over immediately and switched the engine off. I popped the bonnet to find coolant coming out from the refill point. I let her cool down while running the thermal fan, and as any good Land Rover owner filled it up the spare 5 litre's coolant I was carrying in the trailer(it took about 1.5litres). From there I managed to get the camp site and once the Disco had cooled down put in other 500ml of coolant in her. Best part of the story is that I managed to get home(about 100km) with out any dramas.

So my question is,
- Has any one experienced this issue and if so how did they fix the problem, and finally,
- Are there any Series 2 Disco boffins out there that could recommend some modifications to bullet proof the TD5 engine for towing.

Look forward to everyone's replies

Paul.

Ean Austral · 29th January 2014, 06:28 PM

sounds very much like the beginings of a head gasket failure.

My Father in Law tows a big caravan with the exact same vehicle. Done several laps of Australia easily.

Cheers Ean

**paulstuart** · 29th January 2014, 06:45 PM

Thanks for your quick reply Ean, in your opinion could a new head gasket resolve the issue.

Regards,

Paul

**goanna_shire** · 29th January 2014, 06:57 PM

Hi,

Maybe there is something wrong with your radiator cap. If it was coming from the fill point that is. Was the radiator cap loose when it cooled down? Sometimes cooling system woes can be as simple as a $10 cap

Otherwise pressurising the system with the right tools will tell you about any leaks you have. Sounds like it could be as simple as a loss in pressure somewhere.

Cheers,
Brian.

[QUOTE= I popped the bonnet to find coolant coming out from the refill point. =QUOTE]

Ean Austral · 29th January 2014, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by paulstuart

Thanks for your quick reply Ean, in your opinion could a new head gasket resolve the issue.

Regards,

Paul

TD5 are renown for the head gasket failing. I never had mine go but over heating under load seems to be a sign that its not good.

Im sure that the father in law has a 21ft van and he tows it with a D2a TD5 all over the place any time of the year and the car does it no problems. It should tow your camper without issue.

See what others come back with, but that's what it sounds like to me.

Good luck with it.

Cheers Ean

**crash** · 29th January 2014, 07:00 PM

I have a 02 TD5 and have never had any over heating issues while towing similar weight. Looks like you have done a couple of obvious things.
Have you tried a new thermostat?
Have you also looked to make sure the radiator itself is not blocked or any thing in the front blocking air flow?

**PhilipA** · 29th January 2014, 07:00 PM

I would maybe fit a new radiator before pulling the engine apart unless you see some evidence like bubbles in the coolant, oil in the coolant, pressure in the header after shutdown. Or maybe do a gas test.

Radiators are cheap, head gaskets are expensive.
Also look at the thermostat.

Mine pulls my camper trailer up Mt Selwyn on a 30C plus day without exceeding 95C.
Regards Philip A

**strangy** · 29th January 2014, 07:15 PM

It is 99.99% a head gasket problem.

With the head gasket sorted and oil pump bolt checked, harmonic balancer in good cond, these things are as bullet proof as can be expected even against the latest offerings from any manufacturer.

**paulstuart** · 29th January 2014, 07:23 PM

Thanks for everyone's replies, as I am no expert on engines can someone explain to me quickly and in layman's terms how a head gasket failure could cause an overheat of an engine. And, if I do take it to the mechanic and it is diagnosed with a head gasket failure, is there any further possible damage that could have been done to the engine by the over heating of it twice that I should have looked at.

This site is awesome.

Cheers Guys,

Paul.

**laney** · 29th January 2014, 07:46 PM

Head gasket failure can over heat your car as the gasket moves and restricts water flow and alows coolant to leak into places where it should not be. If you are useing coolant ie blowing coolant out your expanchant tank think head gasket.

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