Big problems

[Leigh]

Driving to Milton Keynes last night I suddenly lost the heater on only go to cold air. Next thing I notice is the temperature gauge up in the red. I pulled over and looked under the bonet and guessed right - no water. Strange thing was it has sprayed everywhere. I filled it up but didn't get very far, this time again no water and with lots of white smoke out of the exhaust.
AA to the rescue. Chap said he's worked on LR's for 8 years looked in several places and told me the head has cracked  :?

Any advice on where i can get a second opinion, the cost and where to get fixed?

Cheers

[jnoshea]

I can't help with the diagnosis, but if the head has cracked then a new one is only about £250 and fitting is pretty simple to do yourself.  My heads off at the moment to replace a blown head gasket and check for damage when my turbo blew last week. It only took me about 4 hours (working slow to avoid getting it wrong) and that's out on the road 'cos I don't have a driveway.

[Disco Inferno]

i'd try head gasket b4 you start convincing yourself the head is cracked

[Leigh]

Thanks, I will check that first. The AA man opened the water reservior and then started the engine, the water was shooting out over the top and said he was 100% sure the head was cracked. But I'll check it first. Is the only way to check this by taking the head off and looking? Should be fun, never done this sort of work before :?

He also told me it would cost somewhere between £800 and £1500  :shock: Bit of a difference to your £250, but then I suppose he was including costs of labour

Cheers

[Hightower]

Any advice on where i can get a second opinion, the cost and where to get fixed?

If you decide not to do it yourself then give Rick Mason a call in Rushden - 01933 411149.  Good around LR's and not too expensive.

[jnoshea]

Paddocks has ERR5027 Cylinder head (includes core plugs) £250.00+VAT

[ChrisW]

If you go as far as taking the head off to check the gasket at the very least you should get the head pressure tested and checked for level - anywhere between 30 and 40 quid.

When my cylinder head went it had cracked between the exhaust outlet and the water jacket - no way of spotting the problem other than the steam out of the exhaust and overheating on long journeys.

Would have been a little miffed to say the least to have rebuilt it all only to find out it hadn't cured the problem  :roll:

[Frankie-Boy]

Got to agree with Hightower, mine blew a headgasket the other week and Rick repaired it PDQ and charged me £250, damn good service.

[Leigh]

I have left a message on Rick's answer machine so hopefully he will get back to me.
I have also spoken to Wards Electrical & Engine Services and GB Developements, both gave valuable help and advice of problems that can also occur from this and to check if the thermostat has melted from over heating as a sign of possible damage to pistons and the p gasket behind the water pump.

Just hope its a new gasket and a skim :!:  :!:  :!:

Cheers

[Xtremeteam]

Thanks, I will check that first. The AA man opened the water reservior and then started the engine, the water was shooting out over the top and said he was 100% sure the head was cracked. But I'll check it first. Is the only way to check this by taking the head off and looking? Should be fun, never done this sort of work before :?

He also told me it would cost somewhere between £800 and £1500  :shock: Bit of a difference to your £250, but then I suppose he was including costs of labour

Cheers

thats what my TDI did 2 weeks ago & it was the head gasket,blown between No3 & one o the coolant ports,for the 4 hours to do a HG is a lot less than the cost of putting a new head down  

[Leigh]

...................then fingers crossed!

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Just check for warping while you've got the head off.

[Leigh]

Gave Rick Mason a call, he's going to take a look and did mention it may ndd skimming. I think this is what you mean about checking if its warped?

Is there anyone in this area with a transport trailer I could borrow/hire to get the Disco there? I'll put a post in the wanted part of the forum as well.

Cheers

[Leigh]

As its not yet booked into the garage until I can get some transport sorted, is there anyone on here that can do this sort of work that would like to earn some cash?  

[Leigh]

Did that £250 include skimming the head Frankieoboy?