FAAAAAK!!!!:mad:

Today the viscous coupling for the cooling fan failed on LWB #1. It overheated tremendously as I was limping home and I fear I've blown a head gasket.

I am unable to maintain pressure, and I believe I have coolant leaking out the rear of both sides of the heads.

I don't see any coolant leaking from any of the hoses or fittings, but I do see fresh moisture at the rear of both heads. Additionally, I see a drip stain on the drivers side catalytic converter, which makes me think it's leaking from the back of the head.

This TOTALLY sucks, as it is the same exact cause of the blown head gasket on my SWB RR too. Only, the temp guage on that truck wasn't working at all, and I didn't know it had overheated until steam started pouring from the engine bay.

*sigh*

As if I don't have enough places to spend money, this comes along.:(

I *NEED* this truck to be functional, and since I don't know how to do a head gasket (should be simple though eh?) I may be forced to take it to the dealer for service (that would suck).

I am in desperate need of some good advice/options/prayers/mantras/chants/whatever...

*bigger sigh*

Yup...Been there done that.

I changed mine out myself, but I also had Bill Rhoad's (cert. LR mast. mech) looking over my shoulder. If you have no idea what your doing I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. I would use the dealer as a last resort, but if you have too, you'll just have to suck it up. :(

It also *might* be a manifold gasket leak...But you already know that!

--D

So, why can't I just torque the HE-double-toothpicks out of those head bolts and manifold bolts? Won't that squish the gasket and stop the leaks?

I was honestly tempted by some Bars Leak at the store tonight. Bad ideeee-r right????

Actually I've never had a problem using it in my "first" vehicles...Course that was in a Chev SB 350 and a Furd 390BB...Don't really know about aluminum and that stuff...But if the lump has cracked 120K miles I'd use it...Might help for a couple of months' while you get your other projects paid for...My .02.

--D

Hell, I'm game for anything at this point.

Bars Leak it is!

This won't help if the block or heads are warped from the heat but I've talked to a Rover mechanic that told me you can remove and replace the head gaskets with out stripping off all the efi and heads. You remove the head bolts (maybe some other stuff to) and just lift the whole assembly (both heads and efi etc...) a 1/4" or so and slip out the old gasket and in with the new. I haven't tried this but if it worked would be a great time saver.

110,

Thanks for the tip! It's something I probably, in all honesty, will leave to those more experienced than I.

OTOH....what's the worst I could do to it?

Hmmmm.....

Originally posted by western110
This won't help if the block or heads are warped from the heat but I've talked to a Rover mechanic that told me you can remove and replace the head gaskets with out stripping off all the efi and heads. You remove the head bolts (maybe some other stuff to) and just lift the whole assembly (both heads and efi etc...) a 1/4" or so and slip out the old gasket and in with the new. I haven't tried this but if it worked would be a great time saver.

i didthe same on my 3.9 when the gasket started to leak,i removed the inlet manifold not that hard... remove throttle cable, pipes and wires etc, remove the plenum cover (the bit with 3.9 emblazened on it) and remove all the bolts that hold the inlet manifold down, then pull it off. you can just move it to one side if there is other pipes etc that are still connected.
then loosen the head bolts (in an 'outward' sequence from the middle of the head) and also the rockers, pull the pushrods out, then you should be able to lift the head up enough (there <should> be enough movement in the exhaust system). but try to resist levering the head up with anything sharp... the engine and head is only aluminium and you'll damage it.

mind you..... could you make it any worse than it is? :D

Michael.... you got a workshop manual? i can scan in the head removal bits if you need them

Jamie

FINALY, (sorry Michael),

A problem/question I can help with. Michael, Call me anytime, and I will help you out. Hell, if I was there I would do it with/for you. Give me a call at my office today, or on my mobile. This is a very simple procedure, and I would be glad to help.

PS,
You need to look at this as a positive if you can. This is an execellent time to take care of some other potential problems as the labor will already be there for disassembly. BTW, if you can build that awesome 145, you can do this in a day.

303.298.6406 office
303.906.8693 mobile

j

Jamie and redrangie,

Your words are encouraging. I guess the fear of the unknown has me paralyzed right now. I had always thought 'blown head gasket' was like the kiss of death and always meant lots of $$$$$$$$$.

I'm sure I won't get out of this very inexpensively, but both of your comments are lessening my fears.

The BIGGEST problem right now is I'm waiting for our house to be finished. I'm living in a condo 2 blocks off of the strip, and yesterday when I swapped viscous fans from my SWB RR to my LWB RR in an effort to cure the problem, I was getting dirty looks for that. Head gasket swap in the parking lot? Hmmmm. That might be pushing it. 'Course, I could always drive it to a parking lot out in the sticks and do it away from my temporary neighbors.

The other thing that's killing me, is the new place has TONS of room to do this little job in, and I have about 80% of my tools with me, all of the ones that would be needed to do this I think.

I do have a shop manual, although it's for the Defender, it does have all the V8 stuff in it.

Anyway, to make me mad, and to share a bit of my frustration, here's a group of workers building my side parking for the crewcab.

Oh, we have a spare bedroom in this new place so ANYONE passing through, PLEASE feel free to call.

Thanks again,

Michael,

I would do some quick checking and see if there is a "co-op" garage there. For some cash and a signature on a waiver, these places give rack/garage space. I am sure that you have made a couple of aquaintances there, are could bribe them with beer for space.

Now for the serious (no pun) stuff. DO NOT JUST REPLACE THE GASKET.

Get a pressure tester BEFORE you do anything. Also perform a leakdown test in the cylinders. I would hate to see you do heads and not need to.

IF it is the headgasket, take NO chances and have the head milled. PERIOD. this will ensure that any warpage is taken care of, and give you a better surface for the gasket. I would never just replace the gasket. I learned a very expensive less in that manner.

You should also replace the intake gasket while your there, and take care of any hoses too. Trust me, this will only ad an hour or so, and will definitely be beneficial.

I was serious when I said to call if you had any questions, as I feel like I have gleaned a lot of help from you folks on the fab side, and not had much chance to return the favor.

One more number: 800.367.1390x6406

j

allright.

now that we're down to one operating vehicle, I have spent the last 3 hours shuttling people around and I'm back at 'home base' so to speak.

Now the fun part begins.

j, I'm gonna call you, get ready for my blithering ignorance.

Mike,

Check your Email, I have a few ideas before you get out the BFH!

-Jeff

Ok guys, call it a cop out, but I'm having the work done by a local shop. *NOT* the dealer though.

I found the local reputable British garage, and they are picking up the truck this afternoon.

The owner stays on Saturday, so I'll head over there tomorrow to see what he finds out.

I asked him about machine shops, leak down, pressure tests, etc....and he seemed to have all the right answers and a realistic attitude, so I think I may be OK with this place.

It sucks being the new guy in town. :(

Wish me luck.

Ok, while the heads are being looked at I thought about other stuff I could get done.

1. Radiator flush and repair if necessary

2. All new hoses

3. All new belts

4. Ceramic coat heads (maybe???)

5. Fix leaky oil pan gasket (maybe???)

Anything I'm missing???

I'm definitely putting in a mechanical VDO temp. guage ASAP.

Yes...

3 angle valve grind

New exaust AND intake seals

New cam and lifters!!! (don't skip this one...I did and wish I didn't).

Timing gear and chain.

Make sure he uses the new composite gaskets and mills the head down a few thous. (3 I think?)

Make sure he uses the new stretch bolts for the heads...Torque spec is 1/4 turn, 1/4 turn, 1/4 turn (I think! :flipoff2: )

-D

You sure I should stop there?

I have a spare 350 SBC up in Portland....

Man I am late.

If you need anything give me a ring. With airtools it can be done in approx a day with a valve job.

Make sure to check the heads. The last TWO times the disco heads have been off it was because the time before BOTH heads warped but were not checked (dealer did the work not me).

Make sure to clean and lap the valves and make sure to replace any worn parts (rockers, cam, lifters, push rods) and make sure you get new seals on the stems. With a 4.2 you mind as well stick with non composite but its up to you. If you don' have them milled composite is more forgiving.

Ron

Originally posted by Serious One
Ok guys, call it a cop out, but I'm having the work done by a local shop. *NOT* the dealer though.

It sucks being the new guy in town. :(

Wish me luck.

Serious One,

You are not copping out. Life is too short to worry about what people think. I think that if I just moved to a new house, had a family and it pressures/timelines to deal with, and had never done the job before and didn't really know the time it would take, (wow, this sounds like my life :eek: ) I would probably do the same thing.

Besides, one very important word: WARRANTY!

It's always comforting to know you can blame the second failure on someone else, and not yourself.

j

Dumb question here but wouldn't using comp head gasket lower the comp ratio even more? On a 4.2 with lots of miles, would this equate to some power loss? Just wondering.....!

Ali

Originally posted by Serious One
Ok, while the heads are being looked at I thought about other stuff I could get done.

1. Radiator flush and repair if necessary

2. All new hoses

3. All new belts

4. Ceramic coat heads (maybe???)

5. Fix leaky oil pan gasket (maybe???)

Anything I'm missing???

I'm definitely putting in a mechanical VDO temp. guage ASAP.


Yep you should prob buy a new viscous coupling while you are at it :flipoff2:

Check all your lifters and cam while the heads are off for abnormal wear as it would be easier to replace a cam now with the heads off rather than another 50 000miles down the road.