Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
Looking for help. Expansion tank foaming
Hello, I'm new to this forum. I'm looking to buy a discovery 3 on a 54 reg. the problem is that when the car is started the expansion tank starts to foam out. It's a white foam and comes from the returns pipe from the radiator. I kept filling the tank and it just kept squirting foam out. I don't know where the bleed screws are for the system so I can try and fill it first. There is no water in the oil or white under the cap. Is it the head gasket?? Any help would be appreciated. Ross
11th Apr 2015 11:10 pm
Allan_T
Member Since: 10 Sep 2012
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1034
Walk away and find another one, there's plenty to choose from.GAP IID Pro Multi Vehicle Defender L316 2007-2015 - Discovery 3 - Discovery 4 - Discovery Sport L550 - Freelander 2 - Range Rover Evoque L538 - Range Rover L322 - Range Rover L405 - Range Rover Sport L320 - Range Rover Sport L494 Electrical Fault Diagnostics
11th Apr 2015 11:49 pm
Rossco19872001
Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
Does it sound like the head gasket? What if I told you it was only £2k to buy would you consider fixing it
11th Apr 2015 11:55 pm
Allan_T
Member Since: 10 Sep 2012
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1034
I would ask why it's up for sale at £2k, you may have found the reason. Access to the cylinder heads is difficult due to the location of the engine under the bulkhead, and the official method is to remove the body from the chassis to gain access. Although head gaskets don't appear to be a common fault, there could potentially be another £1.5k to £2k in repairs if the heads need to be removed.
The cooling system bleed screws are located on top of the expansion tank and on top of the engine, underneath the acoustic cover. Details are here http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/use...eeding.pdfGAP IID Pro Multi Vehicle Defender L316 2007-2015 - Discovery 3 - Discovery 4 - Discovery Sport L550 - Freelander 2 - Range Rover Evoque L538 - Range Rover L322 - Range Rover L405 - Range Rover Sport L320 - Range Rover Sport L494 Electrical Fault Diagnostics
12th Apr 2015 12:12 am
MGCarr
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
At £2,000 it could be worth buying just to break it for parts.
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
12th Apr 2015 1:34 am
Rossco19872001
Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
That's what I was thinking, it's had a 2010 face lift kit on it worth £2500. What do you guys think the cause could be? EGF valves? Oil cooler? Thermostat? Or at worst head gasket? Cheers again it's much appreciated
12th Apr 2015 8:17 am
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10146
Hard to understand why they are not getting the prob sorted if it's such a cheap fix ?? That's what I'd be thinking have you done a vehicle check ? -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
D3 SE 05,
110 s wagon 300 tdi SOLD
h top transit
crew cab transit
transit connect
ausa dumper, muck truck .
peljob 2.5 digger
06 L 200 crew cab
12th Apr 2015 8:22 am
Rossco19872001
Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
Yes done a full hpi check, I've been to see the car twice and it does need a little tidying up as you would expect from a 10 year old car. That's the only thing that's puzzling me how it keeps foaming. I'm trying to upload a picture I just won't work at the min. How can I get the head gasket tested before I buy it.
12th Apr 2015 8:34 am
Rossco19872001
Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
Got the picture as my profile picture. Can't seem to get it on this post. Any help is really appreciated
12th Apr 2015 8:40 am
euangibson
Member Since: 24 Dec 2010
Location: Borders
Posts: 11027
Click image to enlarge
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool,than to speak out and remove all doubt" ?.....what rubbish...
Locking rear E-diff
RLD spare wheel protector & sump guard
Extended roof rails
Series 111 mudflaps
Black side tubes,grill and vents
Timed climate remote
Hids4u interior lights
D4 Firenze my2012 HSE
D3 Java 2005 SE manual (sold,sadly,thanks for the memories)
1966 '88 Series 2a....still starts in the morning better than I do...
12th Apr 2015 8:42 am
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Doesn't look like coolant in that tank
12th Apr 2015 8:47 am
Rossco19872001
Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
Thanks a lot. Has anyone ever seen this? It happens straight from start up as if it's not circulating right. Thermostat?
12th Apr 2015 8:47 am
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10146
Looks like someone has put screen wash in the coolant -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
D3 SE 05,
110 s wagon 300 tdi SOLD
h top transit
crew cab transit
transit connect
ausa dumper, muck truck .
peljob 2.5 digger
06 L 200 crew cab
12th Apr 2015 8:48 am
nicedayforit
Member Since: 05 Sep 2011
Location: Beside the Solway
Posts: 369
12th Apr 2015 8:49 am
Rossco19872001
Member Since: 11 Apr 2015
Location: Stoke on Trent
Posts: 31
No it was just water at this point as it was empty when I got there
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have you done a vehicle check ? 
