Disco 2 Oil Cooler Coolant Leak - Any Thoughts?

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Intestinalworm

Well-Known Member
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712
Location
Australia
2003 Discovery 2 Td5

Fixed the fuel cooler a while ago, however, noticed that the expansion bottle (after 3 months of not changing level by one iota), has now dropped about 1cm in level - albeit over a 3 month period.

Was underneath doing inspections and took two photos looking up (left-side, passenger side of RHD vehicle - looking up and beyond in the first photo you can see the shiny-bodied PAS/ACE pump (?) with the new Gates serpentine belt).

From the top of the engine bay (no photo here) I could also see pink crystalline deposits around the region of the largely obstructed oil cooler body.

Now, not very long since I did an oil and filter change, so do I just live with this and monitor for now and maybe do the work next oil/filter change (depending on how much it might cost me)?

If it's only a coolant leak to the outside, does that mean it's the gasket leaking between the cast housing and the block? I need to check how the oil cooler is plumbed up in RAVE!
Not sure if it's just a gasket problem or a problem with the cooler inside the cast block?


I assume if I want to completely stop this leak, it will most likely involve removing the oil cooler and installing a new gasket, and maybe cooler? Cost? Time? Messing about? Degree of Difficulty? Anyone done this recently? Decent guide or just use RAVE?

Looks like I might have to also look at that hose as well? Does anyone know the part number for the hose in case I need to get one?

Thank you in advance!
 

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Is that not the waterpump leaking?

Up on jack-stands at the moment, so after it's down I'm going to take photos of the top of the engine bay - definite pink crystals around the cast housing that encases the metal exchanger inside - so I'm assuming coolant is weeping out from under the gasket. If I ever replace the gasket (believe it is a fairly tricky job to access and remove the oil cooler) then I'll be sure to replace the two o-rings that keep the engine oil and coolant separated!

Now, water pump you say! I could have two issues at the same time?! Some of the coolant looks fresh (not crystallised) on that hose, I think you are correct! Is it maybe that hose connection - not quite sure what/where that hose connects at both ends!

Okay, water pump/hose to be checked - doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the water pump itself (still the original one), could just be the hose? Anyway, need to check!

Thanks.
 
Okay, water pump/hose to be checked - doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the water pump itself (still the original one), could just be the hose? Anyway, need to check!

I would have thought it unlikely to be the hose unless it's been off recently and not re-seated properly although if the waterpump has started corroding it could be. Normally it is the tell tale weep hole on the water pump where the coolant is coming from.
 
I would have thought it unlikely to be the hose unless it's been off recently and not re-seated properly although if the waterpump has started corroding it could be. Normally it is the tell tale weep hole on the water pump where the coolant is coming from.

I think you might be right! Water pump leaking a wee bit!? I arrowed a steel pipe with coolant on the outside (not a hose as I said before). Had a look in RAVE but not sure what that steel pipe is for?

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