Cranium

Cranium

Active Member
I have had my Land Rover Defender about 4 weeks and have started to realise it is using a lot of coolant.
I have done about 550 miles and have had to put 2 kettles worth of water in it so far.

It's obvious by the colour of the coolant that it is mainly water, so I haven't bothered topping it up with coolant for it to disappear anyway, as soon as possible I want to flush it and refill with the correct coolant.

I'm concerned this could be the head gasket, but cannot see any signs that suggest that is the problem, other than the coolant loss.

I have a 3 month warranty from a dealer, which in sure won't cover it somehow, but if it is the head gasket I would want to try to claim.

Could it be something else?
Is there a test to check the head gasket?

There is a small oil leak on the outside of the engine but can't see any coolant leaking...

How worried should I be?[emoji15]

I've been told it is the 200 dti, 2.5 litre engine...
 
If you take coolant reservoir cap off and run the engine you would see bubbles coming up through coolant. Is the expansion tank getting pressurised? Is there any sign of coolant leak any where on the engine?
 
No sign off coolant leaking.
Good point about the expansion tank being pressurised, I've only removed the cap whilst it is cold.

I will check for bubbles whilst it is running and try removing the cap straight after it has been running, thanks.
 
Cranium said:
I have had my Land Rover Defender about 4 weeks and have started to realise it is using a lot of coolant.
I have done about 550 miles and have had to put 2 kettles worth of water in it so far.

It's obvious by the colour of the coolant that it is mainly water, so I haven't bothered topping it up with coolant for it to disappear anyway, as soon as possible I want to flush it and refill with the correct coolant.

I'm concerned this could be the head gasket, but cannot see any signs that suggest that is the problem, other than the coolant loss.

I have a 3 month warranty from a dealer, which in sure won't cover it somehow, but if it is the head gasket I would want to try to claim.

Could it be something else?
Is there a test to check the head gasket?

There is a small oil leak on the outside of the engine but can't see any coolant leaking...

How worried should I be?[emoji15]

I've been told it is the 200 dti, 2.5 litre engine...
Click to expand...

If the colour of the coolant is "wrong", then, in what way is it wrong? I'm guessing that you mean that its the right colour, but looks low concentration? However, if it wrong in the way that it is the wrong coolant, then this can be a bit of an issue....

If you have a warranty, get it back to the dealer - you paid for the warranty, so get your money's worth...

Also, there is a sticky thread on this forum about what to do if you buy a dud... worth a read..

ATB
 
It is brown, that is what it's wrong.
I assume if there are bubbles coming up through the coolant then this points to the head gasket?
 
Yes, it means exhaust gasses getting back through the cooling system. What kinda milage on it? Has it been sat around doing not much?
 
Oh I know to be cautious when removing the cap, I have a lot of experience with cars but never had a head gasket problem or a land Rover...
Not suggested that it has been sitting around but the tyres suggested it has, had compound and one had cracks, have changed them...
 
Other things to check for is exhaust fumes, does it run clean or smokey. Perhaps worth an oil change to see the condition of oil.
 
Im not positive and someone will probably correct me if wrong but im sure the 200tdi is prone to coolant loss from the core plug on the back of the head above bellhousing. Perhaps worth a check as if its leaking from there it wont be easily noticeable and heat from the engine would possibly evaporate it.
 
Exhaust fumes are clean, not noticed anything anyway, might need a closer check.
Oil looks OK on dipstick and on cap/in engine...
It has 96k on the clock...
 
T26HOM said:
Im not positive and someone will probably correct me if wrong but im sure the 200tdi is prone to coolant loss from the core plug on the back of the head above bellhousing. Perhaps worth a check as if its leaking from there it wont be easily noticeable and heat from the engine would possibly evaporate it.
Click to expand...
I'll try to find that plug, but the light is failing tonight so might need to do that tomorrow, I'll look it up in the Haynes manual.
Would be good if it is that simple?
 
7f930546fc27e21bcd4a9dde34041433.jpg
 
The engine had an oil leak and I was assured this had been rectified, the engine was clean when I picked it up, now it looks like that, could that be coolant?
There is no bubbles in the coolant when running, but I only had it running for a short time, so it didn't get hot...
 
Not my forte but i would suspect if core plug leaking that is where it would end up, on top of bellhousing. It may be a temporary fix but maybe worth flushing cooling system and trying forte leak stop and coolant conditioner until you can get the problem sorted. Im pretty sure someone with more knowledge of tdi will give you other checks to make.
 
I have emailed the dealer I bought it off and will see what his response is, might get a local garage to have a look so I can be certain on what I am dealing with, might be worth a diagnostic fee to see what problems I have from an expert, only had the vehicle 4 weeks and shouldn't have any problems...
 
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