how much damage from lack of coolant?

Just got myself a 1997 300tdi discovery - and i love it. Few minor niggles but thats why i bought one, i like keeping busy!

Apart from the bias plate and some body work bubbling it seems in good overall condition.

The only problem was mild overheating on the motorway when i pushed it past 70 for a short stretch. I've done about 150 miles without issue otherwise. After the overheating I tried using the blowers and they stay cold for about half an hour even once the engine is up to temp - then they will suddenly go hot. I fear head gasket but thought I'd check for an airlock first.

Long story short it was missing about 4.5 liters of coolant. Ive not noticed any leaks but that might change now its full.

Any thoughts on if this is likely to have caused major damage? Not noticed any thing unusual in the oil or header tank.

Also, some burk has jet washed the car and gone through the front grille - stripping all the fins from the top half. Im off to Scotland Monday so will i need to replace it now or just take it easy up there? Wont be offroading, just driving as far north as i can get and lots of camping/hiking/fishing.

Thanks for any help!
Ben

Any luck you just had a air lock if it had got that low . Next time you get it up to temp check for even temp top to bottom on rad and on the hoses . Also have a feel of them see if any are starting to go all soft with age , you say oil looks ok . But you could also try a sniff test on header tank to see if you can smell exhaust gases for head problems , prob wouldn't hurt to do a complete coolant change just to make shaw it's got the right mix in it and amount .

It sounds to me like you have a number of issues within your cooling system which could/should be replaced.

1. New thermostat - about a £5

2. New radiator - about £110

3. New Y-shaped coolant hose with non return valve - approx £10

4. New coolant


Dave

thanks guys. i will be doing a full flush of the system and replacing coolant tonight along with the new radiator if my local place has one in stock - if they dont do you think ill be ok running around scotland with a slightly knackered radiator for 5 days?

thanks

Liverpool.90 said:

thanks guys. i will be doing a full flush of the system and replacing coolant tonight along with the new radiator if my local place has one in stock - if they dont do you think ill be ok running around scotland with a slightly knackered radiator for 5 days?

thanks

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as long as it isn't leaking then i'd say so.

my 300 rad is exactly the same.. all the fins have gone.

it doesn't overheat with normal driving.

also, the pump is high on a 300, running with coolant that low isn't great.

since you are going on a long trip in an unknown vehicle... buy some breakdown cover and i'll keep an eye out for your lzir post

HA HA yeah, i do have breakdown cover and hopefully wont need to rely on LZIR but its always nice to know its there!

Ill replace the radiator tonight and take it for a run to check for leaks. Providing there arent any major ones ill be off to Scotland with my fingers and toes crossed. Just need to get a week out of it then i can rebuild it all properly.

Filled the coolant up and the p gasket is shot. Leaking very slightly even without the engine running, no idea how bad it would be once up to temp. Looks like the system may have been running dry for a while, any guesses as to what this might have knackered? Im hoping the list isnt too long.

Looks like I know what Im doing Sunday!

main concern is warping/cracking the head.

try the p and see how you get on, you might get lucky and get away with it.

make sure there's no weeping out the water pump weep hole as well.

can't stress how important it is to keep on top of the coolant system

trax said:

main concern is warping/cracking the head.

try the p and see how you get on, you might get lucky and get away with it.

make sure there's no weeping out the water pump weep hole as well.

can't stress how important it is to keep on top of the coolant system

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Love to, but mine has me in a full nelson and just about counted out