Coolant from Back of Engine....

[College Kid]

OK, So I am hoping against hope that this is isn't what I think it is.

I spent the weekend fixing up a couple of things on the Disco.
- Bypassed the throttle body heater plate after I broke off a screw (I am planing of fixing this again in the fall once I can track down a used throttle body)
-tighten down the valve covers to hopefully keep the oil leak from happening.

After doing all this, I spent some much needed time under the truck trying to clean away the oil and coolant that had accumulated on the axle and on every part of the under carriage.

Fast forward to tonight, where I spent some time spraying foaming engine cleaner through out the engine bay. I then sprayed down the engine bay at a local spray and wash.

Drove the truck back home and i now have a bad coolant leak!!!!!!!!

it is coming out from behind the engine block,

Any thoughts on what it might be or I could check before I assume it is the head gasket????

 

[thospb]

A good chance it is the valley Intake Gasket (lower intake). If there is no oil/water mixing, no mis-fires, you may have dodged the bullet on the Head Gasket.

 

[College Kid]

There is no oil in the coolant leaking now, but I was having a misfire on and off before but was also getting an O2 sensor fail which I figured might be causing it.

I also have a wire arcing off the valve cover, which I think could have caused it as well.

I currently have no codes right now but I won't be running the engine till I figure this out.

I tried re filling the coolant resovoir and it drains right through and out the back. So I am hoping that it is just the valley pan.

 

[overlander]

This does not sound like a head gasket to me, nor the valley pan gasket. I've never heard of a head gasket that has failed so much that coolant would come "pouring out" without the engine running. Without the water pump turning, any coolant pouring out is using pathways and gravity to move.

this sounds to me like the pressure wash blasted a hole into a very old coolant hose. you really need to have someone else poor coolant, so you can track the source. double check both heater hoses as they both run from the side of the block back into the heater matrix in the dash. they are the most rearward coolant leak points possible.

I would also go to napa and get some florescent coolant dye, poor that along with more coolant into your reservoir, then watch where it comes out with a black light. napa has a $20 kit that include the pen light and glasses. the dye is like $8.

then you will know for sure where it is coming out.

 

[College Kid]

This does not sound like a head gasket to me, nor the valley pan gasket. I've never heard of a head gasket that has failed so much that coolant would come "pouring out" without the engine running. Without the water pump turning, any coolant pouring out is using pathways and gravity to move.

this sounds to me like the pressure wash blasted a hole into a very old coolant hose. you really need to have someone else poor coolant, so you can track the source. double check both heater hoses as they both run from the side of the block back into the heater matrix in the dash. they are the most rearward coolant leak points possible.


So you got me thinking, and I am now hopeful that your right. I did have a little coolant left and just got back in from adding it and watching it come out the other side. I wasn't able to see exactly where it's coming from. looks to be below the coil packs between the engine and firewall.

I tired to take a few pictures but can't seem to get a clear shot of where it is coming from. I am looking through RAVE and can't seem to figure out where the coolant hoses go to back there and where they come from.

can someone give me a hint as to where they start and I can trace them back maybe.

 

[overlander]

I'm assuming this is a DII since you referred to the coil packs. The two heater lines run along the right (passenger) side of the block between connection point around the right valve cover, running straight along the block and going back to metal coolant pipes that come through the firewall up top to the right of the block.

if your leaking is originating from under the coil pack, I can't think of anything else then other than the head gasket.

you really need another person pointing, a flashlight and a hand mirror to confirm.

 

[College Kid]

Yep 2000 DII with over 310,000km on it. I am going to track down a buddy to give me a hand and hopefully track down where this is coming from.

 

[bmxer06pa]

I have a 2000 disco and the valley gasket and the head gasket went at the same time. In the words of two buddies of mine who are mercedes mechanics " it was the worst leak they had ever seen". Even with the horrible leaks it would hold coolant until it was started, so I would guess neither of those are your problems.

 

[College Kid]

Well I sorted it all out. Ended up been a broken hose from the intake manifold. The one that I had to bend back towards the resovoir ended up spiltting. I had to pull the plunum to access in and in the process was able to clean up some grit off the valuve covers and tighten down the bolts on the inside as well.

Here is a picuture of where the hose attached to the manifold.