[Osborn]

I had a head gaskett replaced in December on a 1998 TD5 ( 54K ). Car still smoking and overheating so returned 2 weeks ago. Coolant leaking into pots 4 and 5. New gaskett tried and problem persisted. Another head gaskett tried and no improvement. Cylinder sent for pressure testing and returned with no problems/cracks found. Land Rover technical have no answer so LR garage think replacing the block for £3,400 may be the answer. Any ideas, as it's a lot of money for no guaranteed result.

 

[Disco Mike]

Have they checked both the head and the top of the block to make sure they are perfectly flat, you may need to just have them resurfaced.
Mike J.

 

[Osborn]

Coolant

Have they checked both the head and the top of the block to make sure they are perfectly flat, you may need to just have them resurfaced.
Mike J.

Thanks for writing so swiftly Mike, both checked. Initially faulty gasketts suspected but 3 tried and still coolant leakage.

 

[Disco Mike]

There has to be a crack or something then, doesn't make since.
Mike J.

 

[Osborn]

They only did the high pressure water test on the cylinder but it was obviously cold, so there may be a hairline crack that enlarges at high temperatures. Do you know of any other test that can be done at working temperature ? The only time I have heard of a head cracking is after it has been tightened too rigorously after repacing a head gaskett and I feel I am getting stuck with the bill. Many thanks for your interest.

 

[Disco Mike]

I wish I could be of more help.
Mike

 

[ocpatsfan]

I had a dimilar problem on my 2000 Disco II. The problem was that I needed to have ny heads resurfaced. On one of the heads was warped.

 

[scoobymick]

A word of warning,the Td5 head should not be skimmed.I worked for an LR dealer,one of the other techs was working on a vehicle with a similar problem and decided to send the head to a local engineering shop we used to have it checked for cracks etc.They,in their infinite wisdom decided to skim it,we,in all innocence re-fitted it.I happened to walk past as the tech tried firing it up,the comp ratio had raised to the point where it wouldn't turn over.We ended up buying the customer a new head.

 

[Osborn]

Had to bite the bullet and pay for a new cylinder head. There is no obvious problem with the old one but there is no doubt coolant leaks when it is used. Big ouch !!!!!! but car going well and the financial pain will recede with time. Many thanks for all help.