Specialist nr. Chelmsford Essex & BMW Embossed on Engine Cover

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midessex

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I recently bought a 1998 DSE 2.5 Diesel Range Rover, when I test drove the car all was fine, however after a week or so's use I left it idleing for about 15 Mins while I played with the Trailer Electrics, when I jumped back in the drivers seat the Temp gauge was up in the red with the red light on. Once I started to drive it the needle dropped straight down.
The following day I checked the coolant and there had been a loss I topped uo with about 2 litres.
I ttok it to a garage who did a head gasket check and said the head gasket is on its way out and quuoted about £ 1200.00 inc a new head if required.
I have tried several other garages but none of them seem to come back with a price (I know the head is an unknown until it has bee removed) can any one recommended a specialist near Chelmsford, essex as I don't want to drive it to far.
also the head has BMW embossed on it, is this normal for these cars or could the engine have been replaced at some time in the cars life, the car has 185K on the clock so has covered a fair few miles.
any help would be great.
 
Hi,

First things first, welcome to the forum. General decorum around these parts is to post a message in the "introduce yourself" forum. Doesn't bother me personally, but you'll probably find some of the old farts on here more helpful if you pop a message on there saying hello ;)

BMW engine is the standard on a 1998 DSE, and unless anyone else on here can correct me, I've never known a head gasket to be "on it's way out", only "ok" or "fecked".

Even if your head gasket is knackered, it's probably a symptom of your overheating problem, rather than the cause. Have you checked the viscous fan is working properly? Use a rolled up newspaper rather than a body part just in case it is working properly!

Newspaper fan clutch test - YouTube

 
Hello, welcome to Landyzone. It's considered good manners around here to introduce yourself in the appropriate place before expecting help.

However

You must have one helluva garage who can tell that the head gasket is 'on it's way out'. Either it's sealing or it's not.

However the BMW engine fitted to these cars can have issues with cracked heads, especially once they've been overheated. They also can suffer from problems with the viscous fan, the rad and the water pump failing any of which could cause your issue.
 
Endeleus said:
Hi,

First things first, welcome to the forum. General decorum around these parts is to post a message in the "introduce yourself" forum. Doesn't bother me personally, but you'll probably find some of the old farts on here more helpful if you pop a message on there saying hello ;)

BMW engine is the standard on a 1998 DSE, and unless anyone else on here can correct me, I've never known a head gasket to be "on it's way out", only "ok" or "fecked".

Even if your head gasket is knackered, it's probably a symptom of your overheating problem, rather than the cause. Have you checked the viscous fan is working properly? Use a rolled up newspaper rather than a body part just in case it is working properly!

Newspaper fan clutch test - YouTube
Click to expand...

Obviously you can type faster than my one finger hunt and peck method.

:D
 
Hi sorry to hear you have bought a p38 you have my best wishes,if you need a garage
try Gratec in Maldon my local indy always been fair with me I now they have sorted out
a few p38s. Good luck do you get the chance of overtime were you work?.
 
zzr1200 said:
midessex, where do you live I could have a look at it if your interested...
Click to expand...

Hi,

I am based in Springfield in Chelmsford, I will check the Fan and the O Rings first to see if these are causing the problems. Many thanks for the offer or your help.
 
Hi,
Thanks for the quick replies.
Does the Fan cut in when it gets hot or is it running all the time?
Most of my other cars have been when its hot?
 
midessex said:
Hi,
Thanks for the quick replies.
Does the Fan cut in when it gets hot or is it running all the time?
Most of my other cars have been when its hot?
Click to expand...


If it just overheats when stationary and idling the chances are it's the viscous fan. When it's hot, stuff a rolled up newspaper into the blades (mind your fingers) if the fan stops it's shagged.
If your car has aircon, I can give you amod to use the aircon fans either as a back up or replacement for the viscous fan.
That garage is pulling your ****er about the head gasket.
:welcome2:
 
Hi,

Well checked the Fan today when it was up to temperature, it didn't shred the newspaper but i certainaly wouldn't want to put my fingedrs anywhere near it, one sheet of newspaper tightly roll wasn't enoigh to stop it. Yes the drivers foot well is wet so am guessing that the O Rings. Left it Idleing for some time but the temperature didn't move this time with the temperature in the car both hot and cold. there is no signs of water in the oil under the oil cap. Any other thoughts or should I use more paper on the fa test, on the video they just used on sheet.
 
midessex said:
Hi,

Well checked the Fan today when it was up to temperature, it didn't shred the newspaper but i certainaly wouldn't want to put my fingedrs anywhere near it, one sheet of newspaper tightly roll wasn't enoigh to stop it. Yes the drivers foot well is wet so am guessing that the O Rings. Left it Idleing for some time but the temperature didn't move this time with the temperature in the car both hot and cold. there is no signs of water in the oil under the oil cap. Any other thoughts or should I use more paper on the fa test, on the video they just used on sheet.
Click to expand...

Use a whole rolled up newspaper, one sheet would stop nothing.
 
Datatek said:
Use a whole rolled up newspaper, one sheet would stop nothing.
Click to expand...

Ok done the test again and sure enough when the engine was hot I could stop the fan.
Did you say there was a mod to use the a/c fans, I might use this as a tempoary solution although to be honest here in Essex we have no hills so think only traffic will cause the fans to come on.
 
midessex said:
Ok done the test again and sure enough when the engine was hot I could stop the fan.
Did you say there was a mod to use the a/c fans, I might use this as a tempoary solution although to be honest here in Essex we have no hills so think only traffic will cause the fans to come on.
Click to expand...

So the viscous fan is shot. PM me with an Email address and I will send you the fan mod:)
 
graytech are good if yer want a garage, or fortune 4x4 maybe. but hopefully fixing the fan will make this go away.
 
I will soon be doing Datatek's mod and getting rid of my (fully working) viscous fan assembly - my motor has always ran a little on the cold side anyway, so I'm not concerned about overheating.

Once I'm done, you could have mine for a few beer vouchers if you wish?
 
Thanks every one for the help.

Sorry I haven't been on here for a while I was on holiday last week.

Well carried out the Mod and the engine hasn't over heated yet, this includes doing 80 miles yesturday with a horse and trailer and all the stuff that comes along with a horse.

with the exception of a flat battery after it sat on the drive for a week, it started fine and ready to go.

I also had a second opion on the head gasket fault, the garage did a pressure test and said all was ok.

Many thanks everyone.
 
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