Hi guys,I have a 2003 4.4 v8 autobiography FF and I'm starting to lose water regularly.im thinking worse case scenario I.E head gasket.firstlybhow much would is it likely to cost to fix.alternatively any ideas on what else I can check.regards in advance Tony

Look for Oil in Water Fill Reservoir &/or Mayonnaise in Oil Filler/Cap....

Checked those 2 and they are okay,in that the oil cap is clear.no gunk on the cap none on the dipstick.no leak I think on the water tank? I'm at a bit of a loss.any ideas on rough cost of head gasket? Again cheers tony

If no signs in Oil or Water then is very unlikely to be Head Gasket. Much more likely a slow leak in the Radiator that is evaporating.

Weren't the expansion tanks an issue on some cars in the earlier years. Small cracks opening up when they warm up ?? See if you can find traces of dried up coolant anywhere, or even small leaks/drops/puddles ??

Otherwise just go to an indy and ask them to pressurize the warm system with air and see where it leaks.

Also the water pump of the BMW engine was a bit of a weak point I seem to remember, so look around that area as well, the shaft seal is a weak point on all water pumps. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Many thanks for your replies .im putting it into an Indy on Monday morning .im pleased it doesn't look as if its head gasket related.should be able to go on another holiday.again many thanks.will keep you all informed as to what it was .hopefully.regards tony

Or a 'leak' on the inlet manifold gaskets - that's a likely a place as any, sometimes you can see a few drops of condensed coolant on the pan, or staining is a sure sign. The leak is so small it comes out like steam....sometimes you can smell it, another sure sign.
My Indy says its very rare to see a HG gone on an M62, unless some other big coolant issue has been ignored. I would be interested to know what the experience of the rest of the forum?

I'd check for the water pump.
Mine went with the same sort of water loss and if you can see orange/brown staining on the front of the engine block then that's you're problem.

Mine didn't leak too badly (to start with) so you couldn't see where the leak was coming from. No signs of damp in the engine bay until you looked closely at the front of the engine block (timing cover).
When I took the drive belt off the water pump pulley it was really loose, I'm surprised it didn't let go.

There's an FAQ in the Wiki for changing the water pump if you fancy doing it yourself. 

Many thanks for your replies gentlemen.ive checked the water level this morning and only lost a tiny bit.i
As I've got an Indy appointment on Monday morning I,ll leave it.although I did pop in briefly yesterday to my Indy and he has put some dye ,so something should be visible from somewhere.again many thanks tony

Hi guys,having had the engine pressure tested ,I've been given bad news.just 220 miles short of the 100,000 mileage marker looks like its the head gasket.ive been told a grand to fix.im in Southampton ,does anyone know anyone who can fix them and also the likely cost .is a £1000 about right . Regards in advance .tony

Hmmm, bad news Tony, sorry to hear that, not a normal thing for the 4.4 V8. If you have an Indie already suggest you use them. Most of the cost is in labour, it is probably quite involved getting to the head gaskets. Maybe ask for a cost breakdown, and perhaps someone can give an indication of the LR hours for the job.

Only other issue is what else they might find on the way in

Also this might be your engine light problem too ? .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

did they only do a presure test? You should also get a sniff test done before you commit to a HG replacement. £1000 is very cheap. I know a friend had his done and it was just short of £2k. What's the pressure liked in the top hose? That's normally a sure sign of HGF. There are loads of areas for the 4.4 to lose water. Most are hard to see our notice at first. [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!

I agree with Rob, don't despair yet. Have a look for the other tell tale signs, white sludge, water in the oil, gas bubbles in the expansion tank (smell as well), water vapour from the exhaust, pressure in hoses etc.

Go to good indy and have them look around, either one with BMW and/or FFRR experience (as this one has the BMW V8 in it). MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

^+1 I still don't think its HG.

Don't worry and don't let the issue get to you. The 4.4 system is a bitch and only gets worse with age. I would guess you have a leak at the front of the engine. Rad, water pump, hose and the lack is being blown over a warm engine resulting in no signs of fluid. Do you have LPG? The coolant house of the rear manifold is prone to leaking. a to repair but can be done. There's also the valley pan that can weep or leak and as it's in the centre of the engine hard to see and notice. The gaskets on the rear manifold have also been known to leak but not very often. If your top house is rock hard as in when your up to pressure you can't even flex the pipes when you squeeze them you could have pressure issues. As is pressured if will be hard (wahay!) but not so much you can't squeeze the pipe. You won't get a wall to wall squeeze but a flex in the wall is ok. keep us posted and don't stump up£££ for a hgf just yet as I would put money on it not being. [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!