Member Since: 02 Mar 2014
Location: California
Posts: 26
Trying to determine if blown head gasket
I have a 4.4 V8 2005. It ran low on coolant until the heater stopped working. The drove fine for many miles about 70-100 at 65mph in this state and it never gave a low coolant or overheating error. I have since added coolant but I have noticed a white smoke comes from the exhaust after the engine has run for a few minutes.
Is this a head gasket failure or could there be another way for coolant to enter the combustion chamber? It is odd because the car is running fine minus the white smoke and I would have expected serious failure if it was overheating on the highway that long. Can the LR3 overheat without a dashboard warning? I thought that only happened with the older engines. I am going to have a pressure test done and block test but anything else I should look at?
7th Jan 2017 10:54 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26683
Is it smoke or steam? Usually with a blown head gasket the cooling system will over pressurise when the engine is revved.
A pressure test will certainly help diagnose, as would a test for hydrocarbons in the coolant.
I'm not sure about the V8 but I would think there is a warning light at least for overheat.
7th Jan 2017 11:26 am
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10337
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
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7th Jan 2017 11:36 am
Michieldisco3
Member Since: 12 Apr 2021
Location: Kunene
Posts: 4
Hey lad any update on your Disco did you find the problem
12th Apr 2021 6:33 am
Globetrotter448
Member Since: 21 Mar 2017
Location: Londonderry NSW
Posts: 1772
compression test would be a good indicator, would also tell you which side. Bubbles in the coolant return line also show as a head gasket blown.
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