Head Gasket Repair Done -- Still Leaks

xalty

Well-known member
Oct 28, 2018
51
13
Illinois
The 2nd engine was a re-manufactured engine from reputable dealer in Florida. Unfortunately, the one year warranty has expired. I'm done with these flawed 2003-2004 Discovery engines.
Clearly that "rebuild" was junk. If they used flanged\o-ringed sleeves like most reputable people do, a crack in the cylinder wall should be a non-issue. 03-04 4.6s supposedly used the sloppiest built blocks but regardless of that any 89-2004 3.9-4.6 engine can crack if overheated bad.

Try and get your mechanic to use the moroso ceramic seal as instructed and if it ever fails, add more. Obviously a good time yourself an ultragauge to monitor temps, the D2's gauge is useless.
 
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dhessler

Member
Feb 29, 2016
14
0
hagerstown MD
My mechanic did put some block sealer into the engine. After running it through the system and letting it sit most of the day, it started right up. I drove it for 30 minutes with no issues. No engine stalls, misfires or overheating. It's still back in the shop but my fingers are crossed. P.S. I know this is not a permanent fix and I usually do it by the book and have repairs done properly. Say a prayer for "Frank" (aka Frankenstein)!
 

dhessler

Member
Feb 29, 2016
14
0
hagerstown MD
Oh... and I am getting an aftermarket coolant temp gauge installed. And one last point: I was under the impression that if you use these block sealers it's a one-shot deal. Is that true? In other words, if it goes again, can I pour in more block sealer?
 

gimebakmybulits

Well-known member
Dec 11, 2013
1,067
85
Pasadena
Oh... and I am getting an aftermarket coolant temp gauge installed. And one last point: I was under the impression that if you use these block sealers it's a one-shot deal. Is that true? In other words, if it goes again, can I pour in more block sealer?
I would...why not keep it running until you can source a good block or engine..over 2 years on mine.
 

dhessler

Member
Feb 29, 2016
14
0
hagerstown MD
My mechanic did put some block sealer into the engine. After running it through the system and letting it sit most of the day, it started right up. I drove it for 30 minutes with no issues. No engine stalls, misfires or overheating. It's still back in the shop but my fingers are crossed. P.S. I know this is not a permanent fix and I usually do it by the book and have repairs done properly. Say a prayer for "Frank" (aka Frankenstein)!
 

dhessler

Member
Feb 29, 2016
14
0
hagerstown MD
My mechanic did put some block sealer into the engine. After running it through the system and letting it sit most of the day, it started right up. I drove it for 30 minutes with no issues. No engine stalls, misfires or overheating. It's still back in the shop but my fingers are crossed. P.S. I know this is not a permanent fix and I usually do it by the book and have repairs done properly. Say a prayer for "Frank" (aka Frankenstein)!
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
My mechanic did put some block sealer into the engine. After running it through the system and letting it sit most of the day, it started right up. I drove it for 30 minutes with no issues. No engine stalls, misfires or overheating. It's still back in the shop but my fingers are crossed. P.S. I know this is not a permanent fix and I usually do it by the book and have repairs done properly. Say a prayer for "Frank" (aka Frankenstein)!

You might want to edit/delete a couple responses.

then there is this:
https://www.alternativeconversion.com - their kit is available to your favorite LR shop only. No private sales. Might be legal issues, I don't know.
They are in LaBelle, Florida.
 

xalty

Well-known member
Oct 28, 2018
51
13
Illinois
Oh... and I am getting an aftermarket coolant temp gauge installed. And one last point: I was under the impression that if you use these block sealers it's a one-shot deal. Is that true? In other words, if it goes again, can I pour in more block sealer?
Pour in as many times as needed, just thoroughly flush the cooling system after any successful application.
 
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roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
28
68
Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
Remember how block sealer works. It hardens when it comes into contact with the atmosphere elements, so when you drain it or it gets air in from overheating (bubbles) it will harden so all small galleries will eventually plug like your heater matrix and your rad etc
 

xalty

Well-known member
Oct 28, 2018
51
13
Illinois
Remember how block sealer works. It hardens when it comes into contact with the atmosphere elements, so when you drain it or it gets air in from overheating (bubbles) it will harden so all small galleries will eventually plug like your heater matrix and your rad etc
workaround is simply to flush when cold
 

Jagfixer

Well-known member
Feb 25, 2008
367
3
Millstadt, IL
Heads were planed, what about block? Both surfaces have to be straight. If planed too much must use gaskets to match. Bolts are tightened to a first torque setting then a 90*, 90* set. Not just torque to set as bolts are stretchable.
 

Harv

Well-known member
Question for RoverRover, if I have a 4.6 GEMS, do I need to move all the rotating parts from the Bosch engine? Can crank and Pistons not stay with the block? I thought you needed to change the front case, the intake manifold and the CPS over. And I'm unclear about the heads.
 

xalty

Well-known member
Oct 28, 2018
51
13
Illinois
Heads were planed, what about block? Both surfaces have to be straight. If planed too much must use gaskets to match. Bolts are tightened to a first torque setting then a 90*, 90* set. Not just torque to set as bolts are stretchable.
interior cylinders steam cleaned = cracked block. every. single. time.
 

roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
28
68
Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
Question for RoverRover, if I have a 4.6 GEMS, do I need to move all the rotating parts from the Bosch engine? Can crank and Pistons not stay with the block? I thought you needed to change the front case, the intake manifold and the CPS over. And I'm unclear about the heads.
You don't need to change the rotating parts if its already a 4.6 you do need to change the large timing gear to the Bosch version and the front cover, oil pan, pickup etc and of course the heads to get secondary air
 

dhessler

Member
Feb 29, 2016
14
0
hagerstown MD
I will follow up with my issues in near future. Right now searching for aftermarket temp gauge. Any suggestions? Also had to replace power steering line which ruptured and leaking badly.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
A great tool to have is an OBD-2 reader. Not only will that tell you your engine temp, it allows you to read, diagnose, and clear error codes. You can either buy a dedicated unit like a Scangauge or you can buy a dongle that plugs into your OBD port and sends data to your phone via Bluetooth. You can download an app onto your phone (Torque Pro is a popular one) that allows you to configure what live data you want to display while you drive. Maybe you want to track engine coolant temp, throttle load, and fuel trims, for example. Some apps let you set alarms so you'll be warned if your engine coolant exceeds a preset temperature. The dongle/app combo is usually cheaper than a standalone gauge, but some folks prefer to have a dedicated tool for that purpose. A dash-mounted gauge that only tells you engine temp is a waste of money in my opinion. The other two options I mentioned tell you the same information and have a ton of additional functionality.
 
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discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Forgive me if this is a dumb question...

How do you know it is leaking there if it doesn't have misfire codes on that cylinder?
He's 100% right about that. If it has the leaking into any of those center cylinders the complaint is usually misfire and Check engine light and a slow unexplained loss of coolant.