D2 TD5 coolant frustration...

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LRD2 TD5

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Hi...looking for advice & guidance please.

My 2002 TD5 is loosing coolant it appears through the overflow of the expansion tank. If I refill the coolant to the cold level in the expansion tank, everytime i use the disco it looses about a litre of coolant. I can see the coolant dripping from the overflow.

I've checked the coolant and there is no oil in it. The oil filler cap is as clean as a whistle. My top radiator hose is not pressurised (it's easy to squeeze). The heater works fine.

Has anyone experienced the same problem? I'm obviously hoping that it's not the head gasket, it doesn't appear to be but maybe that's just wishful thinking?

I would be very grateful on some ideas of where to look to locate and solve the problem.

Many thanks......
 
LRD2 TD5 said:
Hi...looking for advice & guidance please.

My 2002 TD5 is loosing coolant it appears through the overflow of the expansion tank. If I refill the coolant to the cold level in the expansion tank, everytime i use the disco it looses about a litre of coolant. I can see the coolant dripping from the overflow.

I've checked the coolant and there is no oil in it. The oil filler cap is as clean as a whistle. My top radiator hose is not pressurised (it's easy to squeeze). The heater works fine.

Has anyone experienced the same problem? I'm obviously hoping that it's not the head gasket, it doesn't appear to be but maybe that's just wishful thinking?

I would be very grateful on some ideas of where to look to locate and solve the problem.

Many thanks......
Click to expand...

Try a new expansion tank cap. Seal on these can give up.
 
I've replaced the the cap and fitted a new temp sensor but problem is still the same. Will order a new thermostat to see if that makes a difference.

thanks...
 
Realy bad news mate mine did same thing as Hedgehog has told you head gasket has gone & if you keep running it to long like that you could warp the head
 
Bugger!

Thanks for your replies.....is there a definitive test that will confirm that it's the head gasket?

Thanks....
 
It may be the head gasket. I had the same problem last November; a very slightly weeping gasket was blowing the coolant out with no other visible traces. The expansion tank was always empty. It cost me £700 to have the gasket replaced and the head pressure tested, but the problem went away immediately.
 
Hmm- you could try a compression test, but I dont think that that will necessarily confirm the head. Are you sure its not leaking from somewhere else? Have a look at:
www.discoverytd5.com

I had a problem of losing a cup full of water every few days, but when I added `K' leak treatment (cant remember full name, but it was designed for the Rover K series engine and is called K something) to the water the loss stopped. A litre is a whole lot more though and indicates a more serious problem - as has been said, eliminate everything else and its probably the head.
 
Yip head gasket.......mine did this you have plastic dowels holding the head in place and these fail. When you get the job done, make sure they replace them with the new updated metal ones.
 
There is no definitive test for HG failure on the TD5 which does make it a little frustrating. Even my local LR specialist told me on at least 6 seperate occassions that my HG was sound.

I personally replaced the following items before doing the HG replacement:
  • Water Pump
  • Expansion Tank Cap
  • Expansion Tank
  • Most Coolant Hoses
  • Radiator
  • 2 Thermostats
I also used about 30 litres of OAT coolant during these jobs!!

Some garages charge around £450 to do it. Others charge £800 +

I did it myself to ensure that I was totally happy that all necessary gaskets, bolts, filters, hoses, clips etc were replaced.

T
 
Just to add. Do not be tempted to use K-Seal or Rad-Weld type products. Both these products ****ed my thermostat and caused the engine to overheat with 10 mins of adding it.

T
 
Thanks for all of the advice guys. Looks like i'm going to have to bite the bullet and change the head gasket.

What's the best head gasket kit to buy? Lots on the market at all sorts of prices. I imagine that a genuine LR kit will be best?

Can't afford garage prices at the mo so will do it myself with the aid of a very competent buddy.

Thanks......
 
Get the head pressure tested if you can afford it. Unfortunately the heads on these do crack, generally at an exhaust port. And as above, make sure you use steel dowels. The gaskets come in different thicknesses. You need to check the markings on the old one in order to get the correct new one.
 
As Pastmaster says check gasket thickness and replace like-for-like only. If you look at the front of the cylinder head on the RHS you will see the head gasket thickness indicator sticking out. It should have either 1, 2 or 3 small round holes.

I got my head gasket kit from Turner Engineering - £150 + VAT

There is little point doing all that work without getting the head pressure tested and skimmed 0.040" max I believe.

If you do a search of my posts you can see that I did it myself last year. There may be some tips to help you?

You will also need to confirm whether you have the early or late spec head as yours is on the changeover year

T
 
I have similar symptoms, and have changed pretty much the same as Hedgehog70. Still losing coolant randomly, sometimes it might need a little top up after 1000 or 2000 miles other times it might need a pint. Regularly getting air locks in heater matrix though.

Will a pressure test confirm definetly a HG failure? It is getting one next week.

Has been like that for about 12 - 15 months. Will the HG fail majorly, will it keep going like that just losing a little coolant all the time? Will it crack the head? What is going to happen if I just keep topping it up?
 
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