Hi guys

Have recently had my L322 - 4.4 petrol (52 plate) 56,000 miles in for a coolant leak I was having for a while. To give a bit of history, about 6 months ago it was leaking so my local garage changed the tank and it was fine after that with no "Check Coolant Level" signs for a couple of months.

Then recently after I changed the cap on the tank (NON-genuine cap) there was some bubbling in the tank so immediately took it to a (non-preferred) "specialist" as my local garage were flat out but I didn't want to risk leaving it longer. Right before I took it to this "specialist" I was experiencing no obvious engine overheat but the temp gage would go into the red, then back to blue then stabilise. This was only a day or so before it was due to go to the garage.

So after that, the "specialist" looked at it and said it was a failed thermostat & temp sensor so they changed it. Within hours of driving I had a coolant loss again. A few days later & me taking it back and forth to them they said it could be a water pump, and then the next day said the rad was leaking. Cut a long story short (too late!) I had to take it back to my local garage as I was not happy with the "specialist's" service and was prepared to change the radiator anyway.

So just had the radiator changed as there was a leak there, and my local garage have advised if after a day or so of driving, check the car the next morning on cold and open the expansion tank and if there is any air pressure release that could be the signs of a head gasket problem.

I just did this and for about 2-3 seconds there was a slight air release noise and minor bubble sound but the float came up and no coolant has been lost whereby previously I'd drive 15-30 miles and lose coolant regardless.

So in summary, is there anything to be worried about here regarding head gasket etc as there are no blatant signs of a head gasket issue and the "specialist" tested this and said it was ok - but obviously I'm not convinced of their workmanship in general!

I've read the head gasket is not a common problem on L322 M62 engines and radiator/thermostats are usually the issue here.

Apologies for the long winded essay but it's been such a nightmare to deal with any help or advice would be much appreciated to give that peace of mind!

Many thanks

do you have the correct pressure cap on?....do a search re the type you need.. ... - .- -.




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Hi Stan

thanks for your reply - I bought a new expansion tank & cap from Land Rover as well and had the garage replace this as well as the other works (i.e. thermostat) they initially did so it should be correct as LR ordered the part based on chassis number.

i'd double check to see if yours is a 200 psi cap before you start looking elsewhere,

Click image to enlarge

Thanks Stan - will head out shortly to check that and let you know.

Other than that based on my initial post do you see any reason to be concerned of the head gasket? Just what the mechanic mentioned "could" be a problem because of the current issues but I think the rad leak was the main issue which has been sorted now. So hopefully it should be ok!

i tend to think that the radiator could have been the main cause of the water leak..creamy slim in the oil should show if the head gasket has gone. ... - .- -.




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Hi Stan

Just been out for a drive and can confirm the lid is actually a 140 on the top not a 200. Should I give land rover a call and get them to give me the right one - or would it be better to have a slightly lower PSI so as to not let the pressure get to that point?

On another note I had my local tyre guy (ex mechanic) do a block test (the manual type where the plastic tube is put into the coolant lid) whereby it was on for a few minutes and eventually as the temperature got up coolant started to go up the tube where we turned the engine off.

According to the test there isn't any head gasket issue as the colour stayed blue throughout - there was no change to a green or yellow colour.

Are the block tests quite reliable - hopefully this should confirm there are no HG or other major issues now with the rad, thermostat being changed

Just to cover all bases are there any signs to watch out for regarding a dodgy electric water pump?

Thanks again for your help

although there is a member that has had a 140 cap on his 4.4 petrol for a while with no problems, consensus is that the proper 200 should be fitted.. ... - .- -.




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Ok thanks Stan - will get on the case!

You don't always get slime in the water Stan from the waterways to the combustion chamber I just had head gasket done you need color Change thing ( will look what it's called when I get home ) pressure is a good sign of head gasket gone though 1994 softail full stars n stripes custom harley davidson

Last edited by Winchester101 on 8th Apr 2014 7:09pm. Edited 1 time in total

thanks for the info..  ... - .- -.




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These coolant systems are a.pig when they start leaking. As you fix one week point another one appears. Just a downside to age and a pressurised system. If you have stopped loosing coolant run the car for a while and feel the top hose. If its got no flex/give in it you could have pressure HGF issues. The sniff tests are good but the fluid can go out of date and give false readings. As I was aware if hou left it overnight and it had pressure in the morning this was a sign of NO hgf as the water wouldnt be leeking into the cylinder dropping the pressure. No his could also indicate an extrernal leak not only HGF issues. [img]http://www.fuelly.com/driver/rob2529/range-rover[img/]
04, 4.4V8, Vogue Oslo Blue with LPG.
"You can sleep in your car, BUT you can't race your house!!!!"

If something can't be fixed with a hammer....... You have yourself an electrical fault!

Thanks for the info Rob - have been driving it recently and watching the temp gage. So far it's ok so will just keep monitoring it.

I've been recently getting a diesel type of noise/tapping I guess based on what I've googled - will post about this so if anyone has any ideas on what that could be that'd be great!

Thanks again to all

Hi, I have a 2003 4.4 v8 which had ongoing coolent loss for about 4 months, no obvious leak, had system pressure tested, all ok I was worried about headgasket, but in the end, the smallest of leaks showed itself on the back of the rad, new rad and thermostat, and its been all good since, and this really was tiny, at full temp, after some fast driving, it was the tinyest puff of steam coming out of the back of the rad, almost undectectable to the eye, but it was enough for low coolent about every 400 miles 2003 ffrr v8 vogue