Range Rover P38a 4.6 HSE & water problem

Is there any definitive way to check for the dreaded liner/block problems. I
have found one in mint condition for a good price. I want to have a look but
need to be forarmed for this problem. Any sites etc, or any of you chaps
know the correct way to check it over.

Ta

Nige

"/\/ / & E" <nigel.ince****[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is there any definitive way to check for the dreaded liner/block problems.
I
> have found one in mint condition for a good price. I want to have a look
but
> need to be forarmed for this problem. Any sites etc, or any of you chaps
> know the correct way to check it over.
>
> Ta
>
> Nige
>

If the header tank is pressurised (hisses when undoing the lid) when cold,
you may well have a problem.
Pressurisation of the system (due to gas leak past liner into water jacket)
can also blow coolant past the heater o-rings- look for damp/stained
footwell carpet. Sometimes leaves a crystalline-ish whitish deposit*. The
o-rings are an expensive/dificult job to replace a 20c. part- but IMHO they
fail for a reason. If your prospective car has 'just had the heater o'rings
done', I'd be looking very carefully. Same goes for head gasket replacement-
sometimes done to fix the D.L/B problem if the cause isn't understood. Can
mask the problem for a while.

Just my own experience here. More knowledgeable types will doubtless shed
more light shortly.


*Of course, if it's Keith Richards' car, there might be other reasons for
this...


--
"I won't go into binary counting here. For further information you can
search the Internet, or cut off all but one of your fingers."
-Roger Nichols

So /\/ / & E was, like

> Is there any definitive way to check for the dreaded liner/block
> problems. I have found one in mint condition for a good price. I want
> to have a look but need to be forarmed for this problem. Any sites
> etc, or any of you chaps know the correct way to check it over.
>
> Ta
>
> Nige

Is it a private sale? If so, ask casually if it uses any water. If the
seller says yes, or won't answer, walk away. I don't think there is one
definite yes/no test for this, but losing water or pressurising the coolant
(see Natalie's reply) are definitely Bad Signs. There are plenty about that
don't, so take your time and get a good 'un.

--

Rich

Pas d'elle yeux Rhone que nous

"Natalie Drest" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "/\/ / & E" <nigel.ince****[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Is there any definitive way to check for the dreaded liner/block
>> problems.

Not really. You could test the cooling system using an additive that changes
colour in the presence of combustion gasses, or some sort of combustion gas
detector (they do exist, but I can't remember the correct names off the top
of my head) If combustion gasses are present in the cooling system after a
decent run, then run away!


> If the header tank is pressurised (hisses when undoing the lid) when cold,
> you may well have a problem.
> Pressurisation of the system (due to gas leak past liner into water
> jacket)
> can also blow coolant past the heater o-rings- look for damp/stained
> footwell carpet. Sometimes leaves a crystalline-ish whitish deposit*. The
> o-rings are an expensive/dificult job to replace a 20c. part- but IMHO
> they
> fail for a reason. If your prospective car has 'just had the heater
> o'rings
> done', I'd be looking very carefully. Same goes for head gasket
> replacement-
> sometimes done to fix the D.L/B problem if the cause isn't understood. Can
> mask the problem for a while.

From my own experiences, I've replaced these seals on 3 P38's in recent
years and seen a good few more go through my mate's garage with the same
problems, but I've only ever seen one of all these motors blow a head
gasket, and none that have any issues with losing water. Replaced head
gaskets on a few other P38's though, with no other leaking issues apparent.
FWIW, I've never had a repeat performance of head gasket failure on a 4.6
when I've replaced the head bolts with a stud kit! Call me old fashioned,
but I just don't trust the stretch-bolts as fitted to 4.0/4.6 engines.

Badger.
B.H.Engineering,
Rover V8 engine specialists.
www.bhengineering.co.uk
www.roverv8engines.com

"Richard Brookman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> So /\/ / & E was, like
>
> > Is there any definitive way to check for the dreaded liner/block
> > problems. I have found one in mint condition for a good price. I want
> > to have a look but need to be forarmed for this problem. Any sites
> > etc, or any of you chaps know the correct way to check it over.


My 4.6 HSE was loosing coolant, the garage suspected cracked block,
but a gas test showed nothing, pressure tested the system, again fine.
No external leaks were evident, yet the oil filler cap had a good
dose of creamy gunge on it. The garage didn't suspect the head
gaskets, but the valley (inlet manifold) gasket was showing signs of
leakage, so this was changed. Hopefully, this was the culprit.

Alan C.

"/\/ / & E" <nigel.ince****[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is there any definitive way to check for the dreaded liner/block problems.
I
> have found one in mint condition for a good price. I want to have a look
but
> need to be forarmed for this problem. Any sites etc, or any of you chaps
> know the correct way to check it over.
>
> Ta
>
> Nige
>
>

Never realized the 4.6 had a problem. I thought it was only the 4.0. I
remember reading that recall was done on pre 99 models and 99 and post did
not suffer from this problem. Check this site: http://www.rangerovers.net