Okay thanks for the info. I'll have to look into what the best option is. It's not like there is much room to do anything in that area really without things coming apart.

It's not too much effort to remove the plastic under tray get a better look.

My '02 L322 developed similar problem, at about 90K miles IIRC. It turned out to be the water pump which had to be replaced (in fact the pump failed spectacularly on my driveway before I could get it to the indie to fix ) Norman

Current LR: L405 Vogue TDV6 (MY 2014) Aintree Green/ Ivory interior
Past LR: L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 (2002); Discovery series1 V8 (1995)

ah ok - good info. How do I check the water pump or is it that it just fails? I checked today after a run and it's dry now, no pink wet stuff. I'll have to monitor over the next few days I think.

Water pump is on the front of the engine, it has the fan attached to it. Have a feel around it and see if it;s wet or got pink crusty stuff on it.

Water pump spindle bearing is where it goes wrong (you can wobble the fan around if it's on its way out!)

If replacing water pump, go for a Hella Brand (OEM) not a Firstline or other (I went through 2 Firstline ones in 3 years!!)

Also the rad would benefit from being a hella. Should be around £180 fitted. (£80 for the water pump)

I looked at the water pump (or at least as best as I can see) and there is no wet around it, all bone dry.

I found the level indicator on the radiator overflow reservoir ridiculous to read from the illustration on the top. When cold (as the photo shows) it's fairly low but then this expands I guess. Where should I be looking at the level being? Somewhere half way up?

Can you buy the coolant required from Halfords at all? I read the owner handbook and it said only check the coolant level if the light comes on So technically I should just leave it until it does (assuming that works of course).