QuestionHi John-
I've got an 03 Discovery that I purchased in CA about four weeks ago. I drove it across the country to VT, and three days after getting to VT, the heat began working intermittenly. I took it to the 4x4 center in S. Burlington, and they tried to diagnose the problem. After checking the pressure of the coolant system (30psi) and checking for hydrocarbon (positive), they told me I might have a bad head gasket. They opened up the heads and said the gaskets were ok. The heads got sent out to a machine shop and magna fluxed, again ok. The tech said that he thought the only other thing could be either a cracked block or a sleeve leakage. The sleeve was measured for slippage, no slippage. The tech said that there was still a probability of needing a new short block and quoted me $9200 installed. I balked, and said to put the thing back together, obviously with new head gaskets. Last night I spoke with a retired service manager who feels almost certain that the problem is a bad head gasket at the exhaust port. This is due to the fact that there is not two quarts of coolant in the crankcase. The tech said that the splugs had white corrosion which indicates coolant in the crankcase. Retired service manager says that could indicate any number of things including winter gasoline. So, he suggested having the head gaskets replaced, and thats it. He also said that that job should run about 1500, the 4x4 center is quoting 2700. If I could get your opinion on the situation I would greatly appreciate it. thanks and Happy New Year.
Geoff
AnswerI think the 4x4 center is right, the engine block is probably bad and when you tell them to put it together with new gaskets you're essentially flushing that money down the toilet. With respect to the 4x4 center quote of $2700 and the retired service manager's $1500 opinion . . . does he want to do it all for that price and then stand behind it? If so, go for it. If not, his opinion as to value is essentially worthless.
Frankly, I think the head job is probably a waste no matter what the price. It's your money, but if it were me, I would not do it. I'd do a whole motor or nothing.
How do I know, you ask? Obviously, I do not know. But the odds are I'm right. I've done hundreds of those trucks here over the years and on a 2003 it's the block nine times out of ten. Did you read the magazine articles I've written on this? One is reprinted on my blog at http://robisonservice.blogspot.com - scroll down to find the Land Rover engine failure story
Sorry to put a damper on the whole thing but that's how I see it. The guys at the 4x4 center are knowledable, and for you to try and second guess them seeking opinions online is likely to lead to significant waste of money for you. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but I've been a Land Rover service manager longer than them or anyone else in New England, and you kind of learn who does gooe work and who doesn't.
Best of luck to you
John
