Land Rover Repair: bubbling radiator, blown head gasket, coolant loss

Question
I removed the radiator plug today as our 1990 LR County, has been losing water.  The coolant was bubbling, not severely but bubbling just the same.  The overflow container was not (of which I didn't expect it to).  Is this a sign of a blown head gasket?  To date no water evident in oil.

Answer
Hi Tom,

a blown head gasket is evident in the colour & texture of the oil, coolant loss, visible leaks (sprays) and engine problems.  For severe cases you would have steam and immediate engine stall.  The problem you describe could be a leak in the radiator, a hose or maybe trapped air.  

Do you have any puddles under your County?  Is the engine compartment dry? How's the performance of the vehicle?  

Have your combustion chambers pressure tested to see if there is a gasket leak.  Flush the coolant system using either a commercial kit or have a local mechanic perform the work.  

It could as simple as a rad leak.

Best of luck,

JohnMc