Questionhi, i own a 2001 landrover discovery with about 176,000 miles. i just got off the freeway & i was driving on pch to about 55 mph & i noticed the temperature gauge was in the red zone.
so i pulled over thinking i needed to add more coolant. as i opened the hood & opened the cap of the coolant compartment, all t. this hot coolant sprayed into the air. after it was done spraying, i added more coolant thinking that's all it needed.
i drove home a block away from where i put more coolant & the temperature gauge is on red again. once again i repeated the process. hot coolant shot in the air, etc. but the car was drivable.
so the next morning i drove & the red light goes on again but the pin of the red light just drops. i hear noise & i drove it back home asap. as i parked, smoke was coming out of the engine.
as an fyi to you. the heater in my car heating as quickly. my thermostat was replaced about 2 years ago. but the same symptoms of how my thermostat was no working is going on again.
what do you think is the problem? what do you think the cost will be?is it better to go to a dealer to get it fixed or a local mechanic that i know & trust?
thanks,
Tara
AnswerI am sorry to tell you the engine is probably cooked. Land Rover aluminum V8 engines do not tolerate overheating well, and for whatever reason, you have let yorus go into the red repeatedly. Your statement that it now makes noise pretty much confirms that. I suggest you read the articles on my website, at robisonservice.com > service > land rover > advise, and also on the robisonservice blog. I have written quite a few articles on overheating, which is the bane of those engines.
As to who should fix it . . . you need someone with knowledge of Land Rovers, as opposed to a "guy who just knows cars."
