My disco (300TDi engine) has developed a strange gugling noise form the header tank. This only seems to happen on short journeys of a mile or so and when I switch the engine off!
On medium and long journeys all seems to be quiet and I don't have any over heating problems that I'm aware of.
I can only think that the thermostat has just opened enough after a mile for an air bubble to escape back to the header tank. Still seems strange to me though and wondered if I should start to prepare for some expense in the near furure. Any advice?

GTSX said:

My disco (300TDi engine) has developed a strange gugling noise form the header tank. This only seems to happen on short journeys of a mile or so and when I switch the engine off!
On medium and long journeys all seems to be quiet and I don't have any over heating problems that I'm aware of.
I can only think that the thermostat has just opened enough after a mile for an air bubble to escape back to the header tank. Still seems strange to me though and wondered if I should start to prepare for some expense in the near furure. Any advice?

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Yes, my advice is to prepare for expence in the near future!

Whilst this may not neccesarily be the case I would prepare for the head gasket being replaced.

A number of years ago I bought a Hilux Surf from a dealer in Southampton which appeared to be ok on the test drive. On my way home I experienced a gurgling sound and so kept an even more keen eye on the temp gauge.
After about 20 miles the temp gauge shot up and to cut a long story short I was sold a pigeon!
It took a court hearing to resolve the matter in my favour, especially after I'd manage to contact the previous owner who confirmed it was sold to the dealer as 'scrap' due to the HG failure.
The Hilux back then was commanding a high used car value and the dealer obviously saw this an an opportunity to bodge a repair and try to make a killing on the car.

So, whilst it may not be your HG giving you a warning sign, my experience tells me that the gurgling is pointing at an expensive time ahead.

GTSX said:

My disco (300TDi engine) has developed a strange gugling noise form the header tank. This only seems to happen on short journeys of a mile or so and when I switch the engine off!
On medium and long journeys all seems to be quiet and I don't have any over heating problems that I'm aware of.
I can only think that the thermostat has just opened enough after a mile for an air bubble to escape back to the header tank. Still seems strange to me though and wondered if I should start to prepare for some expense in the near furure. Any advice?

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simplest solution is to pop down to your local garage and get them to test your water for leaking gases.

possable HGF

Yes I thought about the head gasket.
I noticed the noise earlier this week when I drove to a friends house a mile away. It's done it twice so far but only from the engine being cold to arriving at his house, 1 mile.

I have just been out today and done 200 miles or so with no apparent heating/cooling problems. I will check the coolant level in the morning when the engine is cold and make sure it's where it was when I checked it this morning before the journey.

try starting the enjun up with the header tank cap off, more than likely see it gurgling and smell the water

and it aint that big an expense.. I spent about £180 today on all the bits and inevitable extra tools I need to do the job.. that includes a timing chain and new head bolts..

mjltigger said:

and it aint that big an expense.. I spent about £180 today on all the bits and inevitable extra tools I need to do the job.. that includes a timing chain and new head bolts..

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Timing chain? I thought they had a belt????????

it does !