New Guy Here - Head gasket/liners questions

[OttoSmyth]

Hey all. Cool community you have!!

I'm a new Disco II owner. Picked up a 2001 with known engine issues last week. Originally I was considering an LS swap (and still am, in small part), but I think I want to get the 4.0 dialed in.

Here's the story: Previous owner states that it overheats within 30 minutes of driving. 95k original miles. Engine appears all original. No external coolant leaks. No oil/coolant mixing.

I brought it home and ran it. At ambient air temps around freezing, I had zero issues with it overheating, but the cooling system seems to be over pressurized. Hoses are very hard. I went ahead and performed a combustion gas test on the cooling system and confirmed that there are combustion gasses entering the system.

I've already found and am strongly considering a Turner engine. I want this vehicle to be my daily driver and I want it reliable for overland expedition trips. I'm not averse to putting money into it to make it that way.

So, question time: Is it worth pulling the heads and inspecting, possibly doing a block pressure test? Does anybody think there is the chance that it's just head gaskets and not slipped liners or a cracked block? Are the 2001's failing as frequently as the later blocks? Has anybody seen head gaskets fail internally without mixing fluids?

I want to make sure I'm going the right direction here. Thoughts?

 

[gimebakmybulits]

My .02 that's worth even less, do a leak down test and find out where the issue is. My 98 was leaking (assuming a cracked block) at #6 and pressurizing the cooling system. I poured in a bottle of K-Seal and have been driving it ever since with no issues other than I don't trust it enough to take long trips. Turner was the place I was considering sourcing a long block from but there may be competitive local sources given their price increases.

 

[OttoSmyth]

Thanks for the input. I had halfway considered pouring some block sealer in there so that I could run it around a bit if I was going to go the LS route. I don't want to gunk up the engine, hoses and heater core if I'm going to retain the 4.0

I'm not sure a leak down will get me what I want. It would probably confirm a leak into the cooling system, but I guess I already know that.

Anybody have any other suggestions for an engine outside of Turner? I'd considered Atlantic British, but their engines are expensive and I'm not sure I trust their program like Turner.

 

[ukoffroad]

Where are you located? Will Tillery always has engines used for a good price.

 

[StangGT5]

There are many good 4.0s available. It would cost a lot less to pick up one of those and rebuild it with new bearings and gaskets than go the turner route. Not as "bullet-proof", but I am in the group that thinks a good Rover V8 behind a properly maintained cooling system will last a long time. Whatever you do, unless its 5.3 swap I guess, ditch the Dexcool for Zerex G05.

 

[OttoSmyth]

StangGT5, I had considered that, but by the time I buy an engine have my machine shop re-sleeve and re-build it I could almost buy the Turner engine. I'd rather spend a couple extra $k and know that it was built by somebody that does these every day.

ukoffroad, I'm located in Truckee, CA.

 

[OttoSmyth]

Also, anybody have a link or know where I can get one of the block pressure test kits? I know they don't guarantee against a failure, but I figure I might as well do everything that I can, if I pull the heads, to guarantee a solid engine.

 

[p m]

Have you spoken to Nick Markiw? He'd tell you if (a) an LS conversion can be legal in California, and (b) what would it cost.
I haven't tracked the prices for Turner rebuilds, but it seems to me that if you can do an LS conversion, it won't be much more expensive. If at all.

The used 4.0 would be my preference. 01 should not have air injection, so you can use any D1/D2 engine.

 

[1of40]

Turner is the best option for a long block. AB blocks are not worth the price or lack of customer service once something goes south.

 

[OttoSmyth]

pm, I have not. I am unfamiliar with whom Nick Markiw is. Edit: I do know who RW Performance Engineering is. Maybe I'll give them a call.

I've done engine swaps in the past and am relatively certain that I can get a LS Disco through BAR if I jump through their usual hoops.

That said.... I'm sorta of the opinion that someday Disco's will have some "collector" value and I kinda want an original one. I've been called insane before, but I've been right ocassionally. Seen RR Classics lately? Insanity... Even P38's are seeing a nice boost in value.

 

[Swedjen2]

If you eventually go deep, you can try ACR -Automotive Component Remanufacturing-as well as Turner. Great Basin Rovers uses ACR and they'll want your ECU.

4.8 SHORT STROKE HI TORQUE 240 – 245 BHP @ 5300 RPM, 285 – 290 FTLB @ 2700 RPM BASIC STRIPPED ENGINE
ACR’s Hi torque version of the well regarded Sports variant. Superb upgrade for late model Range Rover P38 models where this engine fits straight in with no other modifications. Power is right where its needed at low to mid speed RPM. Built with the same robust bottom end as the sports engine, including forged pistons, the Hi Torque utilises a milder camshaft and either our stage 1 ported heads, or for a little extra cost upgrade to the CNC ported big valve heads.
Supplied as a basic stripped engine.

With Stage 1 heads exchange £ 4565.00 = $5995 at today's exchange rate
With CNC big valve upgrade £ 5284.00

 

[p m]

I am unfamiliar with whom Nick Markiw is. Edit: I do know who RW Performance Engineering is. Maybe I'll give them a call.

Them is Nick Markiw

 

[rovercanus]

Why would you need to have a block re-sleeved?
Pin the liners in a good block and be done with it.

 

[gimebakmybulits]

Why would you need to have a block re-sleeved?
Pin the liners in a good block and be done with it.

Will top hat liners not help if latter on you get a block crack that would normally introduce combustion gases to the cooling system?

 

[pdogg]

I had D&D Fabrications in Michigan re-do my block with flanged liners.. I paid a local shop to pull the heads in case it was just a bad gasket (which they doubted) and they confirmed a bad block. Same diagnosis, coolant showed exhaust gases.. I tore the engine out, stripped it bare and sent it to D&D where they fixed and sealed the block and installed the new liners. They shipped it back where I re-assembled the entire thing and reinstalled it. They can also do a full short or long block build for you if that's the way you want to go. To the guy suggesting "pinning" the liners, well if your block is cracked, that wont help..

OP - call Mark at D&D and discuss options for you.. www.aluminumv8.com

 

[StangGT5]

To clarify, I was suggesting getting a good used engine, not one with problems. There is no need to re-sleeve a good engine. New seals, pump gears and bearings and it's good for another 100K. If you were going to re-sleeve, just put top hat liners in it. As pdogg alluded to, pinning liners is a half-measure that really does not accomplish much if anything. It was the "fix" before top hat liners came out and people realized pinning is useless. Its either refresh a known good engine and keep it cool with a maintained cooling system or go the whole 9 with a top hat engine.

 

[wrldky]

My son and I pulled the engine on a 2002 4.0 right at @00K miles. Had the engine resleeved and rebuilt and then we reinstalled it. If i had to do it all over again I would have replaced the wiring harness. Other then that it runs like a top. I bought parts from all over the place though even overseas.

 

[rovercanus]

Will top hat liners not help if latter on you get a block crack that would normally introduce combustion gases to the cooling system?

Get a good block.

 

[rovercanus]

To clarify, I was suggesting getting a good used engine, not one with problems. There is no need to re-sleeve a good engine. New seals, pump gears and bearings and it's good for another 100K. If you were going to re-sleeve, just put top hat liners in it. As pdogg alluded to, pinning liners is a half-measure that really does not accomplish much if anything. It was the "fix" before top hat liners came out and people realized pinning is useless. Its either refresh a known good engine and keep it cool with a maintained cooling system or go the whole 9 with a top hat engine.

Bullshit.

 

[gimebakmybulits]

Get a good block.

Good answer, I'll call you to break out your crystal ball next time I need one.