Loss of coolant - 2008 Range Rover

Hello. Purchased my TD8 3.6 Range Rover a week ago and just found out it is losing coolant. Topped it up at the weekend and checked it this evening - no coolant in the expansion tank! Are there any known issues with coolant loss? Temp gauge appears to be in the normal range although I noticed it fluctuating between just above the cold section and half way which at the time I found to be a bit unusual. Are there any warning signs ( on the dash) to indicate you have a low coolant level! New to this game and not very technically minded. Any feedback will be gratefully received.

Any puddles under the car when parked?

Take it back to where you bought it from?

If from a trader they have to give you 30 day warranty minimum, so take it back. Don't touch it or they will say you have caused any leakage

Should be a low level dash light but the level sensors in the expansion tank do fail.

The thermostat housings can fail, shine a torch down in the V of the engine around the oil filter housing, look for pink residue. The thermostat housing is at the front but when they leak it runs back towards the oil filter housing.

Check as many coolant pipes as you can for chafing

3.6 tdv8s can do head gaskets, whats the mileage?

Aluminium coolant pipes running down the N/S inner wing is where mine went, didn't dribble much and it spread in about 4 directions making it hard to trace but they are a known leak point. With the rain we're currently having it will be hard to tell if it's dripping on the floor anyway!

The level sensor is in the bottom of the expansion tank, the float can stick so if you want to do a quick test, you can reach under it and pull it down out of the bottom of the header tank. It won't leak, it's a kind of magnetic/induction type sensor, not really sure what it's called but the sensor sits in a moulded tube in the tank not in the coolant itself. Take it out and you should get a warning the dash.

Thank you all for your advice. The RR has done 116000 so not too bad. With regards the dealer I bought it from, I'm having an issue with them as we speak. Bought the RR from them at the beginning of last week (12th Feb) and they delivered it. It was advertised that the RR comes with a Platinum 6 months warranty. Dealer said he would forward the paperwork etc for the warranty the following day ( yes you've guessed it) - haven't heard from him and no paperwork. I have emailed/Whatsapped many times but no reply. I am fuming! Will contact the warranty company to check if he actually deals with them. I am prepared to drive down to his dealership ( even though he is two and a half hours drive away) and demand he signs the documents there and then. I hate being taken for a ride! So to get the dealer to cover the costs of any repairs will be a challenge. Is there some kind of legislation out there I can use against the dealer? These dealers give the whole industry a bad name.

Parkheadbhoy said:

Thank you all for your advice. The RR has done 116000 so not too bad. With regards the dealer I bought it from, I'm having an issue with them as we speak. Bought the RR from them at the beginning of last week (12th Feb) and they delivered it. It was advertised that the RR comes with a Platinum 6 months warranty. Dealer said he would forward the paperwork etc for the warranty the following day ( yes you've guessed it) - haven't heard from him and no paperwork. I have emailed/Whatsapped many times but no reply. I am fuming! Will contact the warranty company to check if he actually deals with them. I am prepared to drive down to his dealership ( even though he is two and a half hours drive away) and demand he signs the documents there and then. I hate being taken for a ride! So to get the dealer to cover the costs of any repairs will be a challenge. Is there some kind of legislation out there I can use against the dealer? These dealers give the whole industry a bad name.

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Contact trading standards

Will do

If you drive back to him and park it on his desk it will get his attention!

As a rule, I don't like dealers but I will say there are a few good ones out there. I bought a Mercedes ML a couple of years ago from a dealer, looked at it in their workshop on a Sunday morning where it had been put up on the lift for storage and it took us a while to work out how to power up the lift and get it down. While under there I found some serious oil leaks but they promised to rectify them so I put a deposit down. They sent me videos of it with the gearbox out and a new rear main seal plus some other bits we'd discussed and I collected it a couple of weeks later (they really got burned on it for the problems it had) but sure enough, they rectified them. I took the car home, and the next day there was oil on my driveway and a lot of smoke from an exhaust crossover pipe behind the engine so I called them up and told them that I really wasn't happy with the car and they simply said "we'll give you a refund if you'd prefer". I went for that. Took the car back to them as they'd been so reasonable and I could, they processed my refund, we shook hands and I left.

Not really the outcome I wanted as essentially it could had been a great car and I do love Mercs but overall, not the worst experience. Sorry to hear your dealer isn't being as forthcoming.

Parkheadbhoy said:

Thank you all for your advice. The RR has done 116000 so not too bad. With regards the dealer I bought it from, I'm having an issue with them as we speak. Bought the RR from them at the beginning of last week (12th Feb) and they delivered it. It was advertised that the RR comes with a Platinum 6 months warranty. Dealer said he would forward the paperwork etc for the warranty the following day ( yes you've guessed it) - haven't heard from him and no paperwork. I have emailed/Whatsapped many times but no reply. I am fuming! Will contact the warranty company to check if he actually deals with them. I am prepared to drive down to his dealership ( even though he is two and a half hours drive away) and demand he signs the documents there and then. I hate being taken for a ride! So to get the dealer to cover the costs of any repairs will be a challenge. Is there some kind of legislation out there I can use against the dealer? These dealers give the whole industry a bad name.

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There is specific legislation covering cars being fit for purpose, you could go through the small claims court if necessary but Trading Standards may be a good place to start although have found them spineless when up against a rogue trader.

Will go down the trading standards route if all fails....including a demonstration with placards outside his forecourt!

RE BloB - I very recently had a CL500 53 plate - traded it in last week for my RR - lovely car but had it's electrical issues.

Did a thorough check throughout the engine bay and it is bone dry ( not even any oil). Underneath is also completely dry! Checked the oil again and seems fine. I have put in 2 litres so far and still below the cold coolant level. Just wondering if the coolant level was low to to start with before I bought the RR. Tempted to ask my mechanic to do a complete coolant change ( all 13 litres) and go from there.

Parkheadbhoy said:

Did a thorough check throughout the engine bay and it is bone dry ( not even any oil). Underneath is also completely dry! Checked the oil again and seems fine. I have put in 2 litres so far and still below the cold coolant level. Just wondering if the coolant level was low to to start with before I bought the RR. Tempted to ask my mechanic to do a complete coolant change ( all 13 litres) and go from there.

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Antifreeze should be changed every couple of years.

No coolant in the gearbox?
Have that checked also to be sure.

Datatek said:

Antifreeze should be changed every couple of years.

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OATS will be 10 year change.

Parkheadbhoy said:

Did a thorough check throughout the engine bay and it is bone dry ( not even any oil). Underneath is also completely dry! Checked the oil again and seems fine. I have put in 2 litres so far and still below the cold coolant level. Just wondering if the coolant level was low to to start with before I bought the RR. Tempted to ask my mechanic to do a complete coolant change ( all 13 litres) and go from there.

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Are there heaters in the rear? is there a diesel heater? is it wet under the floor carpets?

lynall said:

OATS will be 10 year change.

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Not in my book.

Datatek said:

Not in my book.

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That is as may be, but the makers say 10 years.
Old glycol is two years, new gear is good for years.

lynall said:

That is as may be, but the makers say 10 years.
Old glycol is two years, new gear is good for years.

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I shall continue to make regular changes. Sooner safe than sorry.