Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 56
Cold Start Coolant Leak(s) after Motorway Mayhem !
Hello All,
I was driving on the motorway around 70mph when noticed 'smoke' in the rear windscreen mirror. Slowed down, exit Motorway and parked up at a safely service station.
Turns out 'smoke' was steam from major coolant leak(s) after engine overheated. Coolant expansion tank completely empty and after refilling it, noticed that coolant was leaking (or rather pouring out !) from underneath the car. Car started ok and drivable but only for about 10 mins before engine overheated again. Managed to get home on Green Flag recovery Flatbed.
Further diagnosis:
Removed the 'bash plates' underneath the car and refilled the expansion tank in stages when engine is cold.
1 litre: No escape
2 litre: No excape
> 2 litre: water starts pouring out from 2 locations.
I cannot establish with certainty where all leak(s) are. I have attached photos (and taken videos) and am hoping someone can recognise the locations and identify the source of the leak(s).
Photo1: Leak location 1, view from underneath the car looking up. Location marked is just behind radiator fan (facing car from front)
Photo2: Leak Location 2, view from underneath car looking up. Location marked is just above gearbox.
Photo3: Leak location 2, view from offside wheel arch, leaking is from somewhere above gearbox.
Any advise/direction would be most appreciated.
Thanks.
22nd Aug 2020 6:26 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
You would only expect a big leak in one place.
So maybe you need to look higher up for the leak.
Check in the middle of the V of the engine and see if that’s full of water.
Pic 1’could be the water pump.
Unless the V at the top is full of water
22nd Aug 2020 6:46 pm
manichauhan
Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 56
Hi Pete,
Thanks for the quick reply.
I should have added that I am still a bit of a novice. Am not entirely sure what you mean by the 'V' of the engine. (Quick google search...). With ref. to the attached engine pic, are you referring to the section that runs up the middle between the arms of the V of the engine ?
22nd Aug 2020 7:08 pm
Discoveringcomfort
Member Since: 16 Sep 2015
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 637
He means to look in the center of the engine at the top, between the two cylinder heads i.e. the center (inside) of the top of the V.
Behind the big round tower in the photo and probably under the inlet manifold.Series 1 V8
Series 2 Hibrid V8
Discovery 3 HSE V8
22nd Aug 2020 7:28 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
Yea
Will need to remove engine cover.
Remove oil cap and pull cover off
Replace cap
Last edited by Pete K on 22nd Aug 2020 7:31 pm. Edited 1 time in total
22nd Aug 2020 7:31 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4659
Yes there is a coolant connector at the front of the engine in the "V" (missing from the pic you posted)
It may have split and is easy to diagnose. The top rad hose will take you straight to it, possibly coolant is getting inside the timing belt cover and that's what you're seeing coming out the drain hole at the bottom.
Alternatively, it may be the water pump.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
22nd Aug 2020 7:31 pm
sarumlight
Member Since: 07 Nov 2008
Location: Off the Plain
Posts: 1590
My money’s on the plastic junction where several hoses connect on top of the engine. It’s made of two pieces of plastic which get bored of each other’s company and go their own way after about ten years. Mine split the day after a 400 mile motorway run. Hope your engine’s OK!
22nd Aug 2020 7:34 pm
manichauhan
Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 56
Thanks all,
Appreciate the responses. Will check out the well of the V first tomorrow morning for accumulated water.
If it were the water pump leaking, would it cause the coolant/water to literally pour out from the highlight areas in the pics ?
22nd Aug 2020 10:05 pm
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 4659
If it was the pump it's likely it would just run down the front of the engine, but...when doing 70 mph on a motorway it could be blasted everywhere!
The connector is the most likely culprit, closely followed by a split hose or the water pump.yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
22nd Aug 2020 10:27 pm
manichauhan
Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 56
Morning all,
Checked out the well of the V this morning, and found the split plastic connector. Filled up the coolant expansion tank and verified that the coolant is leaking from the split connector and pouring to the bottom of the car.
It's exactly where you said it would be. You guys are just brilliant ! I am so glad I have this car. There is so much support for it on this site from enthusiasts like yourselves. Thanks very much
I suppose my next question is:
1) What is this part called ?
2) Is it easy to replace by a novice like me ? (EXPERIENCE: I have replaced brake pads/discs, intercooler pipes, air suspension compressor, valves & sensors, and the catch on the lower tail gate, as well as the entire upper tail gate)
3) what precautions should I take when I replace it and put the coolant back in (e.g bleeding etc).
sarumlight: The engines seems to be ok as the car is still drivable (no noises/knocks) for about 10 minutes before the engine starts overheating due to lack of coolant.
Many Thanks again.
23rd Aug 2020 10:12 am
Discoveringcomfort
Member Since: 16 Sep 2015
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 637
Good news so far, this is the kind of issue I/we expected.
I can't offer advice re the procedures required as I have a petrol car BUT if mine is anything to go by it is most important to foillow the system bleed instructions ( just follow the bleeding instructs will you!) . I had a simlar issue with my V8 on a trip to London via the motorway but I did not know how to bleed it properly and had to stop and do it 4 or 5 times as I drove around during the day until it was clorrect enough to stop it air locking and boiling over. First time it boiled after refilling I thought I had killed the engine!
I hope that there is no major lasting problems.Series 1 V8
Series 2 Hibrid V8
Discovery 3 HSE V8
23rd Aug 2020 11:07 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
Yes it’s easy to replace.
Order some Oat 5 year orange antifreeze.
You shouldn’t really be driving it.
Called coolant bridge ? Look on advanced factors website.
Release hoses.
4 bolts hold in ? Then pull the rear up
23rd Aug 2020 11:48 am
manichauhan
Member Since: 24 Oct 2010
Location: London
Posts: 56
Yes, I haven't been driving it around. Just for diagnostics check to make sure the engine was still ok.
I make sure I follow the bleeding instructions to the letter (any links to follow ?)
23rd Aug 2020 12:04 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
basically the top small pipe on it is the bleeder pipe, so leave that off until you have got some coolant back in the system and coolant starts coming out.
Once the tank is full, you can put the metal clip fully in place.
23rd Aug 2020 12:20 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10368
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
I am so glad I have this car. There is so much support for it on this site from enthusiasts like yourselves. Thanks very much 
