Range Rover Classic v8 water leak

[Harleyboy]

Morning,

My 3.9 V8 has a significant water leak. On a 30 mile run recently the low coolant level flashed so filled up when I got home. Yesterday I went for a very short drive and the light was back on and water is dripping mostly off the back of the engine. There is also water in the valley and sitting on top of the water pump. I can't see an obvious hose failure and some basic research suggests this might be the valley gasket. Car has done 110,000.

Is there a way to tell if this is the culprit? Is this a DIY job? I have a garage, decent amount of tools and have done stuff like rad changes, coils, shocks etc previously. Are there other jobs that make sense to do at the same time?

Cheers

[100SRV]

Hello,
I've not heard of a valley gasket failing but guess there will be others here who may have.

I would be more inclined to suspect a hose - perhaps back of water pump to the metal heater supply pipes or between those pipes and the heater.

[GreenV8S]

100SRV said:

perhaps back of water pump to the metal heater supply pipes or between those pipes and the heater.

Yes, the heater supply and return seem far more likely than the valley gasket. It could be corrosion in the pipes in the valley itself, but I'd suspect the hoses first.

[Harleyboy]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I took another look today and the leak starts at the front right behind water pump. Doesn’t seem to be the hose there. Will try and tighten the bolt that clamps the valley gasket just in case that helps. Could be water pump leaking at the back??

[GreenV8S]

Harleyboy said:

Hi, thanks for the replies. I took another look today and the leak starts at the front right behind water pump. Doesn’t seem to be the hose there. Will try and tighten the bolt that clamps the valley gasket just in case that helps. Could be water pump leaking at the back??

There are two pipes there - you really need to get a good look in there and I suspect all will become clear. If the leak isn't at the front, an endoscope may help you get eyes on it.

[100SRV]

Harleyboy said:

Hi, thanks for the replies. I took another look today and the leak starts at the front right behind water pump. Doesn’t seem to be the hose there. Will try and tighten the bolt that clamps the valley gasket just in case that helps. Could be water pump leaking at the back??

You are welcome!
Water pump won't leak at the back other than where the hoses mate to the bosses.

There is also a threaded plug in the front of the inlet manifold to check (EFi)

However, a new leak suggests a split / failing hose rather than a threaded thing suddenly becoming bored and deciding to leak.

Edited by 100SRV on Tuesday 17th March 09:01

[Steve_D]

The 'bolt' you mention at the middle front of the valley is not the issue. No water there.
A leak at the water pump would run down the front of the engine so not that.
The joint of inlet manifold to heads (that the valley gasket seals) is a possibility but less likely.

My bet is the heater hoses/pipes that run down the valley as they are steel and are included in the ali casting of the inlet manifold. The dis-similar metals cause corrosion in that area. My place bet is the hoses that join those steel pipes.

Removing the inlet manifold to fix the issues (and replace the valley gasket) is not a difficult job apart from how far you have to lean over to get at things.
If you want difficult try the same job on a TVR.

Steve

[Harleyboy]

Hi chaps, thanks for help. I finally had chance to have a tinker and it really seems that water is coming from the bolt in the photos. The underneath of the hose doesn’t seem wet. Might need to remove the inlet manifold anyway from suggestions

Before and after 10 seconds on running

[Harleyboy]

Images need rotating 90 degrees right. I had dried that immediate area first

[Zener]

Thats running down from a water port or leaking hose , that 5/16 bolt goes into a blind hole nowhere near water jacket , its a red herring look elsewhere example of said blind hole ....................................................................................

[Harleyboy]

i see what you mean - thanks. More poking around needed. Will report back,

[100SRV]

Harleyboy said:

I'll put money the leak being from the hose you can see directly above the puddle. As already stated the bolt by the puddle is in a blind hole and nowhere near the water jacket.

[Harleyboy]

i hope so, a much easier fix! This corona virus business continuity lark is interfering with my tinkering though!!

Will spend more time tomorrow

[Harleyboy]

Morning all,

Believe it or not but I only got time to really look into this more yesterday. With the help of my kids with smaller hands than me, we are now 90% sure it is the heater hose.

I do actually have a spare, unused heater hose that came with another RRC I bought a few years ago.

This will be a job for later this week I think. Although they are only a few £££’s I was going g to use the one I have unless one of you tells me this is a bad idea?

Having said all that, I’m going to SORN it anyway as not exactly likely to get much use over the next few weeks!

Thanks for your tips and certainly looks like you were correct!

Enjoy the sun everyone (from home of course!)

[stevieturbo]

If you have a spare hose....it can hardly be a bad idea vs a hose that is leaking.

Unless there are holes in the spare too.....which make it a poor spare lol

[Harleyboy]

There are two holes in it, one at either end but I think they’re supposed to be there 😃