Coolant Question

[rbbailey]

I've been trying to get around to doing a full drain and refill of coolant on the '04 Disco. I don't think there is any problem, it's just that over the last two years it has gotten a bit old and it must be slowly leaking out someplace because now the level at cold is at about the 1/4 full on the overflow tank. I don't think it ever got fully filled last time, and it has slowly gotten down to this point over the two year period. So now I'm out of time, I'm going on a big road trip in two days. It does not run hot, always stays between 198-206 F. I have no reason to believe there is any "problem" with the cooling system.

Am I OK topping off with distilled water for the next few weeks till I get a chance to do the flush and refill?

[mearstrae]

Yes, adding water is OK for the short term. In these 4.6's there have been problems with cracking around certain head bolt threads (the factory doesn't seem to want to acknowledge this). If the coolant isn't dripping into the valley or down the outside of the block, it may be being sucked into the combustion chambers and going out the tailpipe. You might want to have the engine cooling system pressure tested before you change the coolant.

'95 R.R.C. Lwb (Alas...Gone)
'76 Series III Hybrid 109
'70 Rover 3500S