Head Gaskets as Preventative Maintenance?

[schleven]

My 2000 Disco 2 SD has 78k on it (with original HGs) - purchased it a few months ago. Coolant changed regularly (running Peak Global Lifetime). It is slowly loosing coolant, haven't found out where yet. There's a bit of leaking around the head gaskets, no coolant intermix, no signs of compression getting into coolant. Car runs at around 201-215.

I'm thinking about doing some general maintenance, such as flushing the coolant, replacing water pump, 180 degree t-stat, etc.

Would you (forum) recommend replacing the head gaskets, as a form of preventative maintenance, at this point - as to hopefully prevent slipping a liner?

Or, should I do the other things (and not replace gaskets), and just watch the coolant level and temperature on my Ultra gauge - so as to not overheat.

Thank in advance.

S

 

[riceybean]

I had "a bit of leaking" too, then gasket blew the following week. Just saying.

Was the back of the valley pan gasket, fixed that leak then the head gasket blew out.

 

[Tugela]

Replacing HG is a big enough of a job that you should be sure what the problem is before trying that solution. Get a kit from an auto parts store to test for exhaust gases in the coolant. If that comes back positive then you have your answer. Otherwise your problem may be elsewhere and spending the time and money to do HGs won't have fixed it. You'll need to do them eventually.

 

[96discoI]

could be the throttle body preheater hoses and/or plenum gaskets. On my 96 D1, I found that the nipple in the pre-heater plenum had been bent and was wiggling itself out, spraying a fine mist over the top of the valve cover and didn't present 'til half the paint was bubbled on the rocker cover. Just sayin', don't tar-n-feather me....

 

[pjkbrit]

Worth also throwing in some K-Seal...probably the best coolant stop leak product out there....and change that thermostat for a 180 degree ....stat!!!

 

[KyleT]

Worth also throwing in some K-Seal...probably the best coolant stop leak product out there....and change that thermostat for a 180 degree ....stat!!!

Ya best product at clogging the block heater core, radiator and all the hoses ....

Fix the leaks and it won't leak....:banghead:

 

[schleven]

I'll check those places for the coolant leak, thanks.

It's also seeping oil at the head gaskets...should I worry about this? Really just trying to protect myself from a slipped liner.

 

[pjkbrit]

Ya best product at clogging the block heater core, radiator and all the hoses ....

Fix the leaks and it won't leak....:banghead:

Not my experience...but in HIS situation it's worth a try before ripping into the motor....got nothing to lose!

 

[KyleT]

Not my experience...but in HIS situation it's worth a try before ripping into the motor....got nothing to lose!

Not yet.. It will happen. I have seen it so many times. It always causes more issues later down the road.

 

[p m]

Ya best product at clogging the block heater core, radiator and all the hoses ....

It took me through two trips to Utah and Colorado... And then the head gasket failed without any overheating - right where it was seeping coolant.

 

[seventyfive]

Sealant in a can is absolutely positively the last thing to use unless you really don't give a fuck anymore!

Even if you bypass the heater core and really do a good garden hose flush of the radiator, once you finally fix the problem the correct way, I've seen people still get clogged heater cores.

Either buy one of these tools http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cooling-system-pressure-tester/p-00946342000P or see if you can rent one. Use the proper adapter and pressurize the cooling system to about 15 psi. If it's a quick leak you should see it right off. If it's a slow leak let it set for an hour or longer. If you don't see a leak after a couple hours,drive it to operating pressure. Let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes then very slowly open the reservoir then pressurize the system again. Some leaks, like water pumps, leak when the system is cooling down BECAUSE cooling system pressure and temperature increases at shut down. With the water pump no longer circulating the hot coolant it creates hot spots, coolant expands, stresses o ring seals, paper gaskets, etc.



Coolant shouldn't spray you as long as the engine is not running! Just crack the cap slowly. If you get burned its on you!

 

[seventyfive]

It took me through two trips to Utah and Colorado... And then the head gasket failed without any overheating - right where it was seeping coolant.

....but you're russian. Russians will do things to their vehicles that would make a Ugandan say 'ya must be crazy do dat to ya truck!'

 

[p m]

LOL, no. Rather, regardless of what I'd do to my vehicles.
It was suggested to me by fellow dwebbers, and that shit was a blessing. Not that I'd suggest putting any crap in the engine as preventative maintenance, but it is in my spares box when I head out.

 

[KyleT]

Why do you head out with hg a concern? They don't just go from leak free to blown out without 10, 20, no maybe 50k miles of seeping and dripping coolant....

 

[schleven]

What about the oil (not coolant) leaking/seeping around the head gaskets? Is that an issue to worry about?

 

[p m]

Why do you head out with hg a concern? They don't just go from leak free to blown out without 10, 20, no maybe 50k miles of seeping and dripping coolant....

It was a very minimal concern, but a concern nonetheless. So I poured some K-Seal into the expansion tank, and tossed head gasket kit in the spares box. Figured if it grows into a problem, I'll stay behind a day and do what it takes.
It didn't save me from a tow truck ride, but for a completely different reason.
The head gasket lasted another 4000 miles before blowing the morning after a trip to Colorado. It just blew between #1 and #3 cylinders - and compression dropped to 110 and 115 in those. On a cold engine that has never ever been overheated. And it didn't drip a drop between K-seal and blowing out, and the engine didn't lose coolant, internally or externally.

What about the oil (not coolant) leaking/seeping around the head gaskets? Is that an issue to worry about?

Pretty much the same. If it is indeed coming from the head gasket, the gasket will go.