Mud-club

Vehicle & Technical => Discovery => Topic started by: JimP on January 29, 2009, 20:52:16

Title: Steam from engine bay
Post by: JimP on January 29, 2009, 20:52:16

Right I'll first point out I'm not exactly a mechanical genius!

One the way home tonight I've had lots and lots of steam from the engine bay, opened the bonnet and found the problem but no idea what it is!

In front of the engine (300tdi) there is a cast silver item with 2 pipes one either side, on top is a hole with the steam & fluid bubbling out!

Now I think this is the thermostat housing???? have I lost something??

 :oops:

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: trecfive on January 29, 2009, 20:55:45

Sounds as though you have lost the plastic bung

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: ben-dent on January 29, 2009, 21:07:42

it sounds like the bleed screw has blown out, what you need to do is get the plastic threads out, re-fill the coolant via this hole, and the replace the bung with one of these http://www.x-eng.co.uk/X-Cap.asp?MID=45 (http://www.x-eng.co.uk/X-Cap.asp?MID=45)

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: robdog on January 29, 2009, 21:15:16

Same happened to me last Sat. You just need to replace the plastic bleed screw it sost me £1.95.

Rob

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: tack43 on January 29, 2009, 21:25:13

Personally I wouldn't use a plastic plug. Use either the x-engineering ones as ben-dent suggested (I've got them on my 90. Very good!) or get a couple of brass ones off a Range Rover Classic (Cheap!). I say a couple, replace the radiator plug as well.  ;)

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: Skibum346 on January 30, 2009, 09:39:06

Quote from: tack43 on January 29, 2009, 21:25:13

I say a couple, replace the radiator plug as well.  ;)

I'll second that!

Thermostat housing went as above... week later... radiator one did exactly the same thing!

Skibum

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: JimP on January 30, 2009, 10:09:05

Thanks guys, have ordered the plug, hope it comes tomorrow as I'm due to go lning on Sunday!!!  [-o<

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: ChrisW70 on January 30, 2009, 10:52:30

If you're stuck Jim a 1/2" BSP stop end and a fibre washer from a plumbers merchant will do the job

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: JimP on February 01, 2009, 16:35:02

OK further problems, I've changed the bung in teh thermostat housing and refilled the coolant, however the Disco is now over heating and there is lots of pressure in the system, also there is no hot air coming from the heater, just icey cold air, which in this snowy weather is very unpleasant!

So what have I done wrong???

 :'(

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: ChrisW70 on February 01, 2009, 17:14:37

Sounds like an airlock in the system - to bleed the system remove the plug from the top of the radiator and the cap from the expansion tank. Fill the system via the thermostat housing until water comes out the top of the rad, fit the plug to the thermostat housing then keep filling at the top of the rad until you stop getting bubbles, refit the plug to the rad and check the level in the expansion tank.

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: JimP on February 01, 2009, 17:35:57

Thansk Chris will try that tomorrow

BTW think I saw you on the A435 yesterday! love the Disco!!  :drool:

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: ChrisW70 on February 01, 2009, 17:38:57

Quote from: JimP on February 01, 2009, 17:35:57

BTW think I saw you on the A435 yesterday! love the Disco!!  :drool:

Was heading home that way from a days laning around the Cotswolds for the local GLASS members about four-ish yesterday afternoon  :grin:

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: discosteveo on February 01, 2009, 18:23:26

as a quick fix household rad top bungs (opposite the bleed screew)
they are the same thred and a good metal replacement and you can get them on a sunday from b&q etc when all land rover places are shut

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: JimP on February 02, 2009, 17:55:15

Update: one blown head gasket  :shock:

Currently at Liveridge being fixed  [-o<

Please snow hang around for a couple of days so I can go white laning!!!  :afro:

Title: Re: Steam from engine bay
Post by: Range Rover Blues on February 03, 2009, 14:19:43

Probably went just before you lost the bung, I suspect it might be why LR fitted plastic ones, or am I giving them too much credit :-k