Water leak at back of Engine on 99 DSII

[LandLVR]

I have a 99 DSII and about 5 months ago I noticed a small leak under the water pump on the ground. I looked under the beast and found a small leak at one of the water pump bolts. I put RTV on it and the leak stopped. It is now time to change the serp belt so I thought I would fix the WP leak but over the last 3 to 4 weeks I have noticed a water spot about 6 in. in Dia. on the ground but this time it was under the oil pan not under the water pump ...I had to add about a liter of water ever 400 miles as well. I took a look lastnight and found that the antifreeze is running from the back of the engine someware that I can't see and then coming down and dripping off the oil pan drain plug. I looked at the water pump where I put RTV and it is dry. I then looked at some posts on DISCO2.com here and found this pointing to a possible blown head gasket Could this be true??? I have about 89K on it and it has been running like a top. I have taken my DSII to the local LR Dealer for other stuff and was VERY un-impressed with there findings. I will check if there are bubbles in the overflow res tonight and look at the plugs to see if they are steam cleaned as suggested on this forum. I also changed the oil and it was brown and not as black as I thought the last time I changed it...My next step is to an Independent LR repair center. Any suggestions??

 

[RoverChic]

If you had to guess..Would you say that it is coming from the area that I have circled in this picture? I have a 1998 D1, however I had a problem like yours and it turned out to be overflow..Maybe start with the oil cooler lines before worrying about the head gasket. Is there any white smoke from the tail pipe? Pressure test the system first. Best, Melissa N

 

[Steve83]

Although I have seen several well-kept LRs with leaking head gaskets, the intake gasket is MUCH more common for coolant leaks. Get a good flashlight & an inspection mirror & look at the back seams of the head gakets. It's almost impossible to describe where & how to position the mirror, but try to look up toward the end seals of the intake gasket and make a determination on how HIGH the coolant is leaking out. If it's coming from above the end seals, it's the intake; if it's only wet/orange ON the head gaskets, then that's probably the source.

Alternately, a good general rule is: if the coolant is leaking off the bellhousing, it's the intake gasket; if it's dripping off the corners of the heads, it's head gaskets.

 

[EMBIBB]

porous block

This could be a porous block. I have a warranty return block on a stand in the garage which had this problem. The aluminum block was seeping antifreeze behind the flywheel in the bellhousing.
Might check with your dealer about a warranty claim.... eddie

 

[Steve83]

Eddie
Is there an "X" on the back of that block?