G'day, I have a 98 V8 3.9 Discovery, I bought it used with history unknown and all was well for a couple of months then it started using coolant.
All hoses, expansion tank, cap, waterpump etc were all brand new (I fitted them as normal maintnance) then had the heads rebuilt with new composite gaskets.
Still no luck and removing the heads again revealed the front passanger side piston shiny and "steamed cleaned", the liners visually appeared ok, so a jig was made up to block off water gallerys and small amounts of coolant were dripping in the offending cylinder under pressure, I belive this is coming from behind the liner?
Ive been told the block cannot be repaired and the lowest mileage motor I can find at any wreckers is around 180,000 klms at a cost of around $3000 AU (about 1200 pounds I think)...Im not keen on this option as the wreckers will only offer 90 days warranty and I figure the motors life is already 1/2 gone. My engine had done around 250,000 which is pretty average here for that year.
Ive found through a Rover dealer I can buy a complete short motor brand new for around $4000 AU so think this is the way to go.
My question is this likely to happen again? or was the fault probably caused by poor maintnance, wrong coolant, topping up with tap water etc etc?
Its alot of money to spend on an older car, but I use 4WD daily where I live and found the Disco lightyears ahead in comfort and refinement compared to similar vintage Nissans and Toyotas. I'd like to think if I spend this amount on it (the rest of the car is excellent) I'll get quite a few years service from it .
Cheers