Land Rover Repair: LR Discovery Oil Leak, land rover discovery, wheel alignments

Question
I have a 2002 Land Rover Discovery with 96,000 miles on it.  At about 92,000 miles it started leaving several oil spots in my drive way.  It has also started soaking up anti freeze(needing the reservoir filled once a month)even though the water pump was replaced 2 years ago. What could be the problem?  Then theirs also a slight shake at high speeds coming from the steering wheel and front end.  It seems to smoothe out but when braking is very pronounced.  Please help with your advice and is the dealer the only one to trust to work on any of the problems?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Mia,

LR's are notorious for leaks.  Some say they are simply 'marking their territory', but most owners don't appreciate these marks. ;)

Series II Disco's have been prone to headgasket failures. It could explain your loss of coolant and perhaps the oil marks in your driveway.  I suggest you go to a local garage that you trust and ask them to test for a blown headgasket.  

A blown headgasket can result in either the coolant leaking into the combustion chamber OR the combustion exhaust blasting into the coolant system.  Either way, a new headgasket can be $2000 or more.   

Do you smell a sickly-sweet odour?  Have you checked your oil lately - does it look creamy-like?
Usually, unexplained coolant loss is a sign of a blown headgasket.  I only hope it not something even more expensive.

Don't wait too long to fix this.  Serious engine damage can result if overheating happens.  Another common problem is cylinder liners dropping - this would ruin the engine.

The shake problem could be a number of steering related components.  Again, any local garage that can perform wheel alignments should be able to assist you.  The shaking while braking has me wondering if its ball-joints.  It could also be that your brakes are in need of repair.  

As far as trust and the dealer, for me they don't go together.  I trust the parts department and I know a few mechanics who are honorable but elsewhere within the dealership, I can only comment that I like the coffee.  If you can find an independent LR mechanic, you will save a significant amount of money.   

Best of luck,

JohnMc
jmcinnis64@hotmail.com

NB: if you need help finding an independent LR mechanic, send me an email and include the city and state/prov you want the repairs in.