Coolant leak issues

Im startin to get properly irritated with my rangie,
2002 4.4 v8 with Lpg 112k

So, a couple of months ago the main water pump gave up and dropped all it's coolant,
Replaced that, but new one was faulty and it did it again.
So another new main water pump, while I was at it, new thermostat, new radiator, full coolant flush, full LPG service.

Then last week I was loosing coolant again, checked it out and the exchange water pump (listed as auxillary water pump on rave) was knackered, and had a hole in it, so replaced that (PITA job due to its position!)

And now iv found another leak, it's not leaking much, but it's a drip, from the riffles of transmission oil cooler

Again, replacing it doesn't seem like much of a job other than topping up the gearbox oile which I'm not yet sure how to do, but il soon find out.

But it's just one thing after another and it's starting to wind me up!

Any ideas why it's doing this? Or just age?

It's a Land Rover product, they all do it. They have a design life of 3 years first owner and 4 years second owner after that LR regard them as scrap, very green attitude LOL

Datatek said:

It's a Land Rover product, they all do it. They have a design life of 3 years first owner and 4 years second owner after that LR regard them as scrap, very green attitude LOL

Click to expand...

Hmm, I'm trying to gauge if it's worth keeping or getting rid, if it at the point where everything need replacing, orrr if iv replaced most of it lol so were not far off being trouble free for a short while, it also had a new box at 90k

We haven't done too bad, had nearly a year of no issues atall

If you like it, the only thing to do is keep replacing the parts that fail, it's a never ending job. More of a hobby than a car.

Since picking up my L322 in May I have had a few niggles to contend with:

Replaced ABS Sensor
Dicky Rear Height Sensor
Busted locking wheel nut
Worn Brake Pads
Replaced Thermostat
Replaced Fuel Pump

I do have a pin prick stone chip in the radiator and I loose about a pint every 10 days, so I will be budgeting to replace the rad in the next couple of months (Just had a holiday and the money I had for the Rad has just paid for the fuel pump!!)

The BMW Cooling system is a known weak point, as you say the Pumps Fail (Same as the early Diesel P38's), the Rads split (Like the plastic topped P38's), the Stats fail (Like anyother car), Hoses crack/split (Like anyother car), The Tranny Cooler plastic manifold cracks due to age and heat causing the plastic to get brittle, the Expansion Tank developes hairline cracks (Like they did in the E38 7 series)

As vehicles age - beit P38's or L322's (or any other make/model) - parts start to fail, nothing is made to last anymore, I know that sounds like a cliche, but we live in a throw away/replace generation, Vehicles are now only truly supported by the manufacturer for 10 years, so the early L322's are starting to become obsolete, and it is around now when aftermarket suppliers can get hold of the drawings, jigs and parts to manufacture and supply parts for the older cars.

The trouble with the Range Rover is not that they fail anymore often than anyother car (Speaking to the RAC man and the recovery driver who recently took me home due to the above Fuel Pump issue) the Range Rover ain't that bad, Mercs, Porches and BMW's are by far the more common they attend to apparently!! The trouble is the cost of the parts when they do fail.....

Stick with it if you can, I know it is difficult, When mine failed for the fuel pump and looking at £400+ for a new one (money I don't have), I did think hmmmmm this is getting difficult to justify - but with the help and encouragement fo the LZ members and a great article found by Gencybay, I have just repaired the fuel pump and it cost me £152 for the pump and £13.50 for some gaskets!! So I saved over £200....

Only you can tell how far your paitience and wallet can go, but you will kick yourself when it's gone - I have had 6 Rangies, and each time one has gone the hankering and urge to have another is so great (I am a massive Rangie Nut btw) I just have to get another....

I wish you the best of luck with it, I truly do, as I know how much these cars mean to their owners....