2003 Discovery, Getting too hot.

[getlost4x4]

Like I've said before:

Land Rovers through my hands:

5- Disco 2's
2- P38's
5- Classics
1- LR3

Just to update. I figured out the previous owner had stuck stop leak in it to keep the water pump from leaking. The pump started leaking on me. So I am installing a new water pump today, then I will drop the radiator off Monday to have it flushed. I also installed a new thermostat because the one that was in it was dead. I flushed out the block as well as I could. Nothing is coming out of it.

I also did the exhaust gas test in the coolant. It came back negative. So headgaskets are in good order.

So when I get the radiator back, I'll vacuum bleed the system. I just purchased a vacuum bleeder last week. It seems to work really well. We had a huge bubble in the heater core. We were able to clear the bubble.

I also tested the viscous fan and found it to be in good working order. The electric fans also kick in just fine.

So I feel i'm on the right track with this thing

 

[ColoDisco]

Sounds like a solid plan! What's difficult is diagnosing or helping on a forum vs being there and seeing/feeling what's going on. Keep us updated!

 

[getlost4x4]

Well good news and the previous owner was an idiot. I replaced the water pump. Easy job.

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[getlost4x4]

Then I flushed the radiator. Lots of chunks of the stop leak crap came out. So that's why it keeps getting too hot.

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[getlost4x4]

I'll see if I can post the video I took when I hooked it up to the hose.

https://vimeo.com/165700371


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[getlost4x4]

I think I'll still take it to a radiator shop and have it flushed and cleaned professionally.


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[pugslyyy]

Then I flushed the radiator. Lots of chunks of the stop leak crap came out. So that's why it keeps getting too hot.

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Well there's your problem! Hope you are able to salvage the radiator, etc - what a PITA.

 

[Victory_Overland]

I think we are all stoked to see it was a water pump and stop leak and not anything super major. Sure, water pump and flushing you are doing sucks booty, but it looks like you are nailing down a solid cooling system. I would agree about having the radiator shop flush the radiator just because they will pressurize it the right way and blow all of that crap out.

Did you get anything out of the heater core lines or core itself when you did the purge for the bubble? Just curious how far that stuff may have travelled.....?

Keep us posted on the progress! Looks like you'll be burning up the trails in no time........no pun intended! :victory:

 

[getlost4x4]

Ok. So had the radiator cleaned professionally. It's clean.

I also flushed the engine block again. It's clean.

I then flushed the heater core. It's clean.

But my lower radiator hose is still not getting warm. I think the thermostat I got is junk. I'm taking it back to Land Rover. I cannot get it to move with a screw driver at all. I tried to push on it. It's just not moving at all.




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[Victory_Overland]

Ok. So had the radiator cleaned professionally. It's clean.

I also flushed the engine block again. It's clean.

I then flushed the heater core. It's clean.

But my lower radiator hose is still not getting warm. I think the thermostat I got is junk. I'm taking it back to Land Rover. I cannot get it to move with a screw driver at all. I tried to push on it. It's just not moving at all.




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Awesome news on everything else. Not sure about the thermostat and how tight it should be. I guess better safe than sorry and since everything else is fresh, may as well do that too. Like I said, I had two bad ones before and not sure if they were even bad or coincidence but the one in there now is money.

Hope your problems are almost over and you'll be up and running soon.

 

[getlost4x4]

well, the overheating wouldn't go away. Got sick of screwing around.

So here we are. Heads are off being rebuilt. I'm picking up up new gaskets tomorrow.

Half of the headbolts were loose. Someone had attempted the job before. The obviously had no idea what they were doing.

Took me 2 hours to get to this stage. This is the 5th time i think I've done a headgasket job on a Land Rover.

 

[KyleT]

Check for loose liner clues. And buy a new radiator. A shop won't get it sealed again. And anyone who thinks they can can't.

Get a OEM or even the motorad 180* thermostat. I've run both and no issues.


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[Victory_Overland]

well, the overheating wouldn't go away. Got sick of screwing around.

So here we are. Heads are off being rebuilt. I'm picking up up new gaskets tomorrow.

Half of the headbolts were loose. Someone had attempted the job before. The obviously had no idea what they were doing.

Took me 2 hours to get to this stage. This is the 5th time i think I've done a headgasket job on a Land Rover.

Dude, that totally sucks that you are dealing with this crap. On a lighter note, you clearly have the experience and now you know the condition when you put it back together. This is the time to look at the cam, lifters and pushrods IMO (super easy from here and relatively cheap parts considering you are broke down shotgun style right now). That thing is cracked wide open now so may as well look at everything and check the pistons, rods and wrist pins for any slap or play. If the bottom end is tight, once you put the heads back on you pretty much have a new rebuild.

 

[ColoDisco]

How did the headgaskets look? Any spots where the coolant may be compromised?

 

[getlost4x4]

going back together this afternoon. Heads were a bit warped. So they are perfect now.