Head Gasket Leak/replacement

[NICOLASNEZ]

Yesterday, I took my 02 Disco to my dealer for a routine oil change. I was told later that my cylinder head gaskets are leaking and they need to be replaced. I was quoted $2900 for the job. In addition, my transfer box also needs to be resealed.....estimated cost for that is $1200. Wooohhhh!!!! Kind of steep considering the times were on and I have another LR3 that I'm constantly maintaining. These are my questions:

1. First, are the job estimates reasonable? I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Does anybody know any other shop I can get a second quote from?

2. Second, what happens if I cannot get these repairs done immediately? Am I risking irrepairable damage to the engine? What happens if I keep on driving it until I can get money for the repairs? I read somewhere that the transfer box leak is minor and can be ignored. However, I'd like to take care of the gaskets as long as it will not cost me a fortune.

Will appreciate any help. Thanks.

Nick (LRn2szz)
2002 Discovery II
2005 LR3 HSE

[Disco Mike]

How many miles on your D2, and what is leaking and from where? Are you actually having to add coolant, if so how often and how much.
For a dealer to only quote you $1200 makes me worry because that is such a low estimate from them.
As for waiting, if they are leaking, you stand the very possible chance of toasting your engine and then you are looking at $7000 plus for an engine replacement.

[jycsalas]

many things can appear to be a head gasket leak. Not until your engine looks like the one in the pics can you even attempt to diagnose any type of leak.


or



power scrub your engine from top to bottom especially clean around where all the gaskets are located. have you been losing oil or coolant. What did the dealer tell you about the leak? where is it located exactly? Coolant or oil leak from the valley pan gasket dripping down from the rear onto the bell housing can look like head gaskets. leaking valve covers letting oil pool and accumulate near the head gaskets can look like it too.

you can see more clean engine pics here for reference Powerscrub pictures by jycsalas - Photobucket

[rmuller]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

How many miles on your D2, and what is leaking and from where? Are you actually having to add coolant, if so how often and how much.
For a dealer to only quote you $1200 makes me worry because that is such a low estimate from them.
As for waiting, if they are leaking, you stand the very possible chance of toasting your engine and then you are looking at $7000 plus for an engine replacement.

It was 1200 for them to reseal the tc, $2900 for the head gasket...

[unstable]

dye is helpful too. There's also a test kit that can detect exhaust in the coolant system...I don't know how much that runs but a bottle of dye is $8 and a UV light can be had for $20...

If it's a substantial leak you should be able to trace it pretty easily whether the engine is squeeky clean or not...clean motor makes it easier though.

[kwarrior45]

Do it yourself if you have the time and equipment. I just finished mine on saturday and it runs like a champ!!! I can't believe how smooth it is now. I had a head gasket leak, throttle plate leak, and timing cover leak along with two bad plug wires and it run so amazing now. I'm so happy i took the time to do everything. Let me know if you have anyquestions. I'm trying to put together a list of parts and tools required to do the complete job.

best of luck.

[NICOLASNEZ]

Mike, My Disco only has 68K miles. As far as where it's leaking, I really can't tell. I don't see any leaks in my driveway. Additionally, I don't see any leaks looking at the top of the engine and from underneath it (got traces of oil there but i think it's not actively leaking). The coolant is at the correct level and looks fine....no oil or whatsoever and have never top it off. Same with the engine oil. I just checked it and seems to be at the same level since my oil change on Monday. But then, I'm not really mechanically inclined so I'm not really sure. That's why I wanted to take it another shop for a second opinion/quote. I noticed that you're from Colorado but is a member of NCLR. Is that the Northern CA Land Rover Club. If so, do you know by chance a shop in the Bay Area (not a LR dealer) that I can take my Disco to? My dealer's quote for the gasket replacement by the way is $2900 and $1200 to reseal the transer case. Thanks again. After two days in this site, I notice that you seem to be the expert so I'll appreciate any help/guidance you can provide.

[Elemental]

If you have a leak above the block, it doesnt matter where its coming from if you are changing the head gasket. When you do that job, you must replace the rest of the upper gaskets.

Under warranty, when I fixed Rovers at the dealer, I always did head gaskets if I saw any leakage from the top of the engine, thus reducing the chance of a comeback.

[NICOLASNEZ]

power scrub your engine from top to bottom especially clean around where all the gaskets are located. have you been losing oil or coolant. What did the dealer tell you about the leak? where is it located exactly? Coolant or oil leak from the valley pan gasket dripping down from the rear onto the bell housing can look like head gaskets. leaking valve covers letting oil pool and accumulate near the head gaskets can look like it too.

jycsalas, thanks for the pictures. No, i don't think i'm losing any coolant or oil.

[sal09211962]

I have a 2002 Disco w/ 78,000 miles and had to replace head gasket last week. I received a $2600 quote from the dealer and found an independent mechanic that did everything for $1235.00. It runs great now.

I can't believe how much I could have gotten hosed!

Stacy