The great sea of hot green flows into the Rover

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Yep, something let loose under the dash and the worst nightmare of RRC owership came to fruition.

All of the coolant gushed into the inerior and of course the windshield fogged over immediately.

Was very lucky a large parking lot was across the road from where it happened so I could pull in and quickly shut down.

What really is disappointing is I had the heater core and hoses replaced before taking it to Switzerland to make sure this wouldn't happen. The Rover only has about 8k miles on it since then.

It will be very interesting to see what happened - hose burst? Or the core itself? Who knows.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
Sorry to hear. I dread that day. Please keep us posted of your investigations and solutions.
 

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
yeah, been there, done that *twice*. Mine turned out to be head gaskets pressurizing the cooling system. I've yet to replace the heater core because I don't want to remove the dash again.
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
I can almost guarantee you that you had a head gasket leak.

Crossed my mind as well yet when I had the upper engine redone asked as since it is apart should we do the head gaskets and was told not necessary based on pressure testing.

Now I?m not so sure.
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Hoses were replaced when new core installed. Yet who knows at this point.

All signs point to the core itself although until I locate another one we are not taking it apart.

Trying to find an OEM STC250.
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Both RN & AB show cores in stock.... not sure if OEM.

Thx! Neither are unfortunately. LR Direct also can?t source them. They are all plastic. Not sure how Landie Rover is restoring the beasts without it.

Kept the OEM part from ?94 when it was replaced. Taking to a local rad shop and having them take a look. Hopefully we can use it.

At this point I’m just going to renew entire cooling system and have the head gaskets replaced. Need to get it somewhat reliable again.
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Ok, new plan.

As it is Summer no rush to get the heat working - will by pass the heater core for now.

I'm going to hold off until the shop has more time and not rush the project.

Also had the OEM core pressure tested and no leaks plus all the joints look fine.

That is going back in.

Since it is Summer though, installing new rad and thermostat; water pump already new and viscous fan working fine.

Will once again test for head gasket leak and go from there depending on results.

Would really like to drive the beast before it once again goes back into hibernation for Winter.

Thx to everyone for their help - will update in the Fall when the dash is torn apart and the core replaced.