Coolant exploded all over engine bay!!

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john winsemius said:
Thanks for info ratty. You earned your chips today. Remember looking at turner engineering and seeing 2 different heads for td5. and wondering why
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there should be 3 in theory

10p is early defender head

10p spanish head is an uprated version of the early head

15p is the later head

A later head can be fitted to an early engine with a couple of minor bolt on modifications modifications (the later heads have a seperate injector pipe instead of it being built into the head) and it will also need a set of later type injectors.
 
ratty said:
there should be 3 in theory

10p is early defender head

10p spanish head is an uprated version of the early head

15p is the later head

A later head can be fitted to an early engine with a couple of minor bolt on modifications modifications (the later heads have a seperate injector pipe instead of it being built into the head) and it will also need a set of later type injectors.
Click to expand...
the later head is a santana made with better alloy and is what turner uses for the high performance heads for td5 racing engines.
 
How very interesting.... Maybe there is hope for Boris yet!? I get him back tomorrow... I will start the process of research and stripping it down. It's only done 104k, so did not particularly want to get a recon unless I had too, but I will do some research on Ebay.. I might make a couple of quid sending my head back too. who knows.. I will have to spend a bit more time rebuilding it.. shame really. I love the disco. to be honest, I used to have a 90, Lara Croft Version, complete with the pin up of angelina on the seat next to me!! Lol. It was fully kitted and beautiful. Unfortunately my wife did not see it the same way. She wanted a "normal" car.. So it was sold..... But I would have another tomorrow. Just how to convince the wife????

I will do a bit more digging and update the thread just in case others have the same issue! Thanks for the help Ratty, I could be alot worse off without it!
 
MudRat said:
How very interesting.... Maybe there is hope for Boris yet!? I get him back tomorrow... I will start the process of research and stripping it down. It's only done 104k, so did not particularly want to get a recon unless I had too, but I will do some research on Ebay.. I might make a couple of quid sending my head back too. who knows.. I will have to spend a bit more time rebuilding it.. shame really. I love the disco. to be honest, I used to have a 90, Lara Croft Version, complete with the pin up of angelina on the seat next to me!! Lol. It was fully kitted and beautiful. Unfortunately my wife did not see it the same way. She wanted a "normal" car.. So it was sold..... But I would have another tomorrow. Just how to convince the wife????

I will do a bit more digging and update the thread just in case others have the same issue! Thanks for the help Ratty, I could be alot worse off without it!
Click to expand...
turner does reconditioned heads and 24 hr or less shipping
 
MudRat said:
I love the disco. to be honest, I used to have a 90, Lara Croft Version, complete with the pin up of angelina on the seat next to me!! Lol. It was fully kitted and beautiful. Unfortunately my wife did not see it the same way. She wanted a "normal" car.. So it was sold..... But I would have another tomorrow. Just how to convince the wife????
Click to expand...

I hated the Disco when we first bought it. I had to do so much work on it in the first few months - changed oil cooler, head gasket, then head when gasket didn't fix it, numerous suspension bushes, steering etc, even welding on the rear chassis rails! Now it's pretty much where I want it (apart from a re-map), and to be honest I really like it now - it's so versatile - almost as good off road as a Landy, and as good a family car as you could ever need. It's worth sticking with it.
 
Thanks.. Well, I decided to.. I love Boris. As much of a pain he is at the mo, But I am not going to sell him. He is worth more to me than his monetary value!

However.... Here is a bit of an update and problem.. I got the top pipes changed. Harwoods said the HG is going and the head gone, but not massively and not enough to affect the coolant rapidly, but will build up over a month or so.. So got the car back. Ran it for a couple of days while researching a new head etc.. The car seemed to be running hotter. Hotter than normal, but did not appear to be excessive, I checked it after a long run, coolant level did not change and there was no obvious oil or diesel in the coolant. But as soon as I opened the bonnet, I was blown away the the excessive heat and the pipes were very very hot to the touch. More than normal. 2 days later after the initial pipe repair... Oh dear, coolant pouring out of the pipe next to the thermostat near the bottom of the rad. Yet Harwoods pressure tested it for me and only found one pipe leak????? Now I have another....

Something is just not right with the cooling system... Can the head gasket really affect the pressure build up that quickly???? I have checked the pressure daily and coolant level too, but no obvious signs?? It is quite weird and I am running out of ideas?? My logic thinks that maybe the thermostat is not working? Blocked? Or perhaps, the intercooler is not doing it's job properly...But yet harwoods pressure tested the system and flushed it before re bleeding it? They would have figured this out two days ago, surely????? And yet, nothing is coming up on Hawkeye!?

MudRat
 
MudRat said:
Thanks.. Well, I decided to.. I love Boris. As much of a pain he is at the mo, But I am not going to sell him. He is worth more to me than his monetary value!

............ Yet Harwoods pressure tested it for me and only found one pipe leak????? Now I have another....

Something is just not right with the cooling system... Can the head gasket really affect the pressure build up that quickly???? I have checked the pressure daily and coolant level too, but no obvious signs?? It is quite weird and I am running out of ideas?? My logic thinks that maybe the thermostat is not working? Blocked? Or perhaps, the intercooler is not doing it's job properly...But yet harwoods pressure tested the system and flushed it before re bleeding it? They would have figured this out two days ago, surely????? And yet, nothing is coming up on Hawkeye!?

MudRat
Click to expand...


1. Re the inter-cooler - this will have nothing to do with the cooling system pressurising;

2. Hawkeye only detects electronic functions, so if nothing is lodging error codes in the ECU Hawkeye will find nothing.


This really does sound like a head gasket problem to me irrespective of what the garage are saying.

Here's a couple of things to try:

1. Start the engine and leave it ticking, then whilst the engine is running, VERY carefully remove the header tank cap and watch carefully what happens. I would expect to see bubbles coming up through the coolant in the tank.

2. Get a local garage to use a sniffer to detect exhaust gases in the header tank and coolant gases in the exhaust end pipe.


If either of these tests come back positive it is almost certain to be a head/head gasket problem.
 
Right... The results are in from Harwoods... Not what I expected...

The first chap said the head was cracked and as such needed a new cylinder head... I brought in back to them after the second coolant hose exploded to do the sniff test as you mentioned.. Surprisingly, this was a big negative... The second more senior mechanic explained to me that he does not think the prob is the head at all.. He said the top gasket was leaking and the cam shaft seal was leaking which dripped oil onto the HG... when the head was tested, it was clean as a whistle with no cracks... new HG fitted, but the mechanic did say, the old one seemed perfectly ok...

This is a really odd one. Heads fine, but still does not explain to exploded hoses.. maybe they are just old.... I really thought Ratty was on to something with the head theory and made perfect sense... I will monitor it for the next week and see. If something goes again, I might have to consider something else!?

Ta for the help though...

M.R
 
MudRat said:
Right... The results are in from Harwoods... Not what I expected...

The first chap said the head was cracked and as such needed a new cylinder head... I brought in back to them after the second coolant hose exploded to do the sniff test as you mentioned.. Surprisingly, this was a big negative... The second more senior mechanic explained to me that he does not think the prob is the head at all.. He said the top gasket was leaking and the cam shaft seal was leaking which dripped oil onto the HG... when the head was tested, it was clean as a whistle with no cracks... new HG fitted, but the mechanic did say, the old one seemed perfectly ok...

This is a really odd one. Heads fine, but still does not explain to exploded hoses.. maybe they are just old.... I really thought Ratty was on to something with the head theory and made perfect sense... I will monitor it for the next week and see. If something goes again, I might have to consider something else!?

Ta for the help though...

M.R
Click to expand...
did you check your radiator cap? it is supposed to relief the pressure at 1 bar( 15 psi) If the cap was working properly it would not blow hose's
 
Radiator Cap.. Good point, I checked it. I think I need to change it. It looks and feels old!!! I can't go wrong just changing it.. Might save another hose issue. As far as the rad goes, It seems evenly scalding all over! I have not changed the thermostat yet... It seems to be working ok and the system was flushed properly. I am off to battle for a few days so it will give me a chance to run the system in. When I come back, I am going to overhaul the complete system. I cant go wrong there. The hoses are all original ones and 11 years old, so I maybe I should not be surprised the rubber is starting to perish! Maybe a full set of kevlar hoses and a new rad cap might do the trick.... I am just really surprised the head is not knackered after all that.... I really expected it would be especially after the first LR Techie said it was... Mind you, I am not convinced yet... I will monitor it closely over the next week or so, still tempted to go for a new head...

By the way, as another Q.. My cylinder head core plug is leaking.. LR said that is came as part of the BMW engine, but serves little or no use... If this is the case, is it possible to get a new head without the plug??

M.R
 
The Mad Hat Man said:
MudRat said:
It has been tested and clarified. The suspected oil is is fact undiluted Halfords Antifreeze. It is clear and oily and smells like castor oil.
Click to expand...



isnt this significant?


having said that - Halfrauds coolant is usually blue or pink.
Click to expand...

A couple of thoughts spring to mind, I'd like to chuck em in an see what ya think.

Firstly bearing in mind the above post, is it possible the water pump isn't working properly? I've looked through the whole thread and not seen it mentioned yet!

My other two thoughts can probably be discounted cos I think the clue maybe the nonmixing anti freeze.
However......

Viscous fan not working properly
and
I believe some peeps have had an issue with the metal water pipe that runs across the head being blocked. ??
 
Again.. Another interesting point. The water pump sounds ok. I did my usual screwdriver to ear trick and it sounds lovely and smooth. Seems to be working and the thermostat seems to be opening at the right time. I am still tempted to change the thermostat anyway as it is the original one and would be about time for a change perhaps... I think I will do it as part of the overhaul of the system..

When I come back from camping, I will try to flush the head through again.. I did flush it once with BARS radiator Flush stuff and lots of warm water, It seemed really clear. not rust issues from the rad, but the occasional gloop, but nothing significant to speak of. But then again, I think the coolant has been changed previously before I owned it, because it was crystal clear like castor oil initially, and no it was not water. It had the consistency and smell of castor oil.. Ironically just the feel and smell of Halfrauds antifreeze! Now It has been remixed and re bled. It is a nice milky colour.. I would not be surprised if the lady who owned the beast before me, just put in the coolant neat with no mixing. But that should not cause any issues I would not have thought?But then again, I am willing to be edumacated!

Ta.

M.R
 
MudRat said:
Radiator Cap.. Good point, I checked it. I think I need to change it. It looks and feels old!!! I can't go wrong just changing it.. Might save another hose issue. As far as the rad goes, It seems evenly scalding all over! I have not changed the thermostat yet... It seems to be working ok and the system was flushed properly. I am off to battle for a few days so it will give me a chance to run the system in. When I come back, I am going to overhaul the complete system. I cant go wrong there. The hoses are all original ones and 11 years old, so I maybe I should not be surprised the rubber is starting to perish! Maybe a full set of kevlar hoses and a new rad cap might do the trick.... I am just really surprised the head is not knackered after all that.... I really expected it would be especially after the first LR Techie said it was... Mind you, I am not convinced yet... I will monitor it closely over the next week or so, still tempted to go for a new head...

By the way, as another Q.. My cylinder head core plug is leaking.. LR said that is came as part of the BMW engine, but serves little or no use... If this is the case, is it possible to get a new head without the plug??

M.R
Click to expand...


the only way to tell if radiator cap is working correctly is to pressure test it. A bad cap will cause over heating and cause damage to your motor.

And anything less than a 50% antifreeze mix will cause serious engine cooling faults.
 
MudRat said:
Thanks.. Well, I decided to.. I love Boris. As much of a pain he is at the mo, But I am not going to sell him. He is worth more to me than his monetary value!

However.... Here is a bit of an update and problem.. I got the top pipes changed. Harwoods said the HG is going and the head gone, but not massively and not enough to affect the coolant rapidly, but will build up over a month or so.. So got the car back. Ran it for a couple of days while researching a new head etc.. The car seemed to be running hotter. Hotter than normal, but did not appear to be excessive, I checked it after a long run, coolant level did not change and there was no obvious oil or diesel in the coolant. But as soon as I opened the bonnet, I was blown away the the excessive heat and the pipes were very very hot to the touch. More than normal. Is the heater working ok or does it keep going cold? 2 days later after the initial pipe repair... Oh dear, coolant pouring out of the pipe next to the thermostat near the bottom of the rad. Yet Harwoods pressure tested it for me and only found one pipe leak????? Now I have another.... This sounds familier

Something is just not right with the cooling system... Can the head gasket really affect the pressure build up that quickly???? Yes. If the head is cracked so that it pressurises only when under load (when the turbo spools up). I have checked the pressure daily and coolant level too, but no obvious signs?? Have you checked the pressure straight after a drive? It is quite weird and I am running out of ideas?? My logic thinks that maybe the thermostat is not working? Blocked? I has two parts. The conventional heat related valve and also a bypass valve that opens when the engine revs reach 1500rpm. Or perhaps, the intercooler is not doing it's job properly... Intercooler only cools the air that feeds the turbo. But yet harwoods pressure tested the system and flushed it before re bleeding it? They would have figured this out two days ago, surely????? And yet, nothing is coming up on Hawkeye!? If the system is over pressurising the coolant will keep finding the week point. A diagnostic cn only talk to sensors. If there's no sensor the computer won't know there's a fault.

MudRat
Click to expand...

Answers in red
 
MudRat said:
Radiator Cap.. Good point, I checked it. I think I need to change it. It looks and feels old!!! I can't go wrong just changing it.. Might save another hose issue. As far as the rad goes, It seems evenly scalding all over! I have not changed the thermostat yet... It seems to be working ok and the system was flushed properly. I am off to battle for a few days so it will give me a chance to run the system in. When I come back, I am going to overhaul the complete system. I cant go wrong there. The hoses are all original ones and 11 years old, so I maybe I should not be surprised the rubber is starting to perish! Maybe a full set of kevlar hoses and a new rad cap might do the trick.... I am just really surprised the head is not knackered after all that.... I really expected it would be especially after the first LR Techie said it was... Mind you, I am not convinced yet... I will monitor it closely over the next week or so, still tempted to go for a new head...

By the way, as another Q.. My cylinder head core plug is leaking.. LR said that is came as part of the BMW engine, but serves little or no use... If this is the case, is it possible to get a new head without the plug??

M.R
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are following exactly the same route and getting the same symptoms as mine. I hope I'm wrong but I still think that you're head is cracked.
 
Mud rat if your system was working properly then it would never exceed 15psi. If it exceeds 15 psi then radiator cap is not doing its job of relieving pressure. Only a pressure test of the cap itself will tell if it works or not.Radiator caps are cheap
 
john winsemius said:
Mud rat if your system was working properly then it would never exceed 15psi. If it exceeds 15 psi then radiator cap is not doing its job of relieving pressure. Only a pressure test of the cap itself will tell if it works or not.Radiator caps are cheap
Click to expand...

TD5 caps are 20psi so unfortunately you usually find a weak pipe or joint fails first.
 
Ratty.. your awesome... I think you might still be spot on. I don't trust the L.R Mechanics with their diagnosis. I think you are still right with the head. The L.R people did the pressure test not me, I have the tools to fix things, but unfortunately not to pressure test them.
John, I am going to buy a new cap anyway, mine seems rusted and sticky etc, so it can't be too bad if I buy another just in case.

If my Boris survives the road trip, I will overhaul everything when I come back and re test things again. I am defo going to get the Head retested by a ultra sound chappie. If any doubt, I will just get another one along with the gasket set. It probably needs some TLC....

Thanks Ratty and John, I really appreciate the assistance. this forum has saved me a fortune in bills to date! It's worth it's weight in gold!

M.R
 
hey mudrat, i`ve been following this thread as i too have a td5 and this could happen to me one day. i`m only round the corner from you so if you need any help, give me a call.
i`m not a trained mechanic but i`ve learnt a lot over the years.
good luck.
 
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