So I just fixed the head gaskets on my D2 2001 (used RAVE had heads machined and pressure tested) but when I fill the coolant tank up I am getting a fairly significant drip between the engine block and the firewall on the RHS of the rover. I haven't had a chance to poke into it with a mirror but was curious what could be leaking back there. I don't think I screwed up the head job so much that it would be leaking before the vehicle was ever even turned on...but it wouldn't be the first time I royally screwed something up lol. Does anyone have any ideas on what might be leaking back there? :banghead:
head repaired but still leaking coolant
- Thread starter ben marsico
- Start date
My guess would be the O-ring on the heater hose pipe that goes into the intake is torn. Otherwise possibly the intake gasket folded over when you put the intake in place.
When you put the heads back on, there is sufficient movement on the head dowels to enable the heads to be tightened down out of alignment with the inlet manifold.
When we do ours, we assemble the inlet manifold to the heads using the old gasket and one bolt at each corner, just nipped up.
Then we tighten the heads down, knowing that they are matched to the inlet manifold. Subsequently you can fit the manifold with a new gasket.
It may well be the rear joint where the inlet manifold puts the coolant into the head.
Peter
When we do ours, we assemble the inlet manifold to the heads using the old gasket and one bolt at each corner, just nipped up.
Then we tighten the heads down, knowing that they are matched to the inlet manifold. Subsequently you can fit the manifold with a new gasket.
It may well be the rear joint where the inlet manifold puts the coolant into the head.
Peter
Thanks for the reply's everyone, much appreciated. From reading some other forums I think it may be that I didn't put enough gasket goo around the mating surfaces of the valley gasket, especially around the coolant passages.
Do any of you guys, or anyone else, have an idea how many hours a mechanic should bill for changing out the valley gasket? I think I am just going to have one do it this time due to some other things I have going on.....that is of course if the price is right.
Do any of you guys, or anyone else, have an idea how many hours a mechanic should bill for changing out the valley gasket? I think I am just going to have one do it this time due to some other things I have going on.....that is of course if the price is right.
I've never used any sealant on those faces, the correct gasket has moulded ridges around the ports.
Peter
Peter
ben marsico said:
That's definitely not why its leaking. You don't need to put any sealant on the valley pan gasket, although it doesn't hurt to do so. If you didn't put sealant on the lip seals, it would only leak oil.
A mechanic would probably charge between 6 and 9 hours. I think we charge 8 at the dealership. I would have it properly diagnosed, I doubt its the intake leaking unless the gasket is folded over or the bolts are just loose.
I did the heads on mine and the first try to put the intake we folded and pinched the gasket, had to get a new one.
Wouldn't surprise me if it was folded, I had a bit of a struggle getting it in myself. Hopefully I will know what exactly is wrong once my mechanic has a chance to pressure test it and poke around. Currently waiting on a new ignition also since some Jack tried to steel it from the mechs parking lot....I mean trying to steel a car from a mechanics lot is like robbing someone in the unemployment line!
I'm having a similar problem - head gasket replaced 7 months ago and now I'm leaking coolant again. I know next to nothing about engines so any help is appreciated so I can be somewhat informed when I take the vehicle in (2003 DII).
I attached one photo that shows a brownish liquid collecting on the corner of the engine block at the gasket(?). The other photo shows a hose that's attached to the top of the engine block, forward of the other photo. Same liquid seems to be leaking here and making it's way to the spot shown in the other photo. I assumed it was running that way because of the small hill on which the car is parked.
Any thoughts? Sorry if I have terminology wrong.
Should I wipe clean and turn on engine to see what happens?
Thanks for your help, David
I attached one photo that shows a brownish liquid collecting on the corner of the engine block at the gasket(?). The other photo shows a hose that's attached to the top of the engine block, forward of the other photo. Same liquid seems to be leaking here and making it's way to the spot shown in the other photo. I assumed it was running that way because of the small hill on which the car is parked.
Any thoughts? Sorry if I have terminology wrong.
Should I wipe clean and turn on engine to see what happens?
Thanks for your help, David
Top photo is most likely the rear valley seal?
Bottom photo is the throttle heater, just did mine too, easy fix.
Bottom photo is the throttle heater, just did mine too, easy fix.
No, they are both front the throttle body heater leaking. That is the edge of the valve cover you are seeing in the first picture.
most likely an aftermarket throttle body heater with the rubbery gasket instead of the coated metal one OR original one finally leaking.
looks like the allmakes stuff with the rubbery gasket that will leak in about a month or so. we've used those at the shop and had to replace every single one under warranty.
certain things must be genuine, and the throttle body heater is one of them.
I had the work done at the dealer because it was hard to find anyone independent in my area to do head work. I will see what they say when I bring it back. I wiped the gunk off with my finger and it was thick and orange I color if that helps the diagnosis.
Thats not something the dealer did wrong or missed, those things leak all the time. Fortunately they are pretty cheap to repair.
The genuine ones still usually leak within two years. I've done a bunch of them under parts warranty, and I hardly even see Disco's at the dealership anymore. I wish you could get the ones that the factory used on some of the Discos (03/04?) that look like they are just a metal gasket with no composite coating. I don't really know what the gasket is made of, since I've never had to replace one.
In case anyone cares it turns out the leak in the back of the engine was just a torn o-ring that I didn't realize I miffed up when doing the heads. Unfortunatley it took nearly a month to discover this as I have been fighting with the first mechanic after someone did all the damage trying to steal it from his lot. Long story but ended up taking the disco from the first guy to a place called import auto specialist here in lexington KY. They did a great job identifying the problem at very reasonable prices...... Next job rear suspension conversion to springs.