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View Full Version : Diagnose Coolant Leak - Dripping From Both Sides of Bellhousing



bullstanky
05-03-2018, 12:18 PM
I'm ALMOST done with my 10 year $XX,XXX SIII 109 project...so I figured it would be ok to go ahead and pick up a '06 LR3 with 150K for something to invest (waste) my time and money on.

The truck is in great shape...had dealer service (was a loaner) for first 90k miles and well maintained by one owner since...but has only been mine for 100 miles and is dripping coolant down both sides of transmission bellhousing...with no (or little) evidence of any leaks anywhere above the trans....see below:

Coolant is present on both sides of the transmission bellhousing and crossmember but, primarily the passenger side
https://flic.kr/p/26MPDUv
https://flic.kr/p/26MPDUv

The top of the engine, firewall, and top of trans at the back of the engine, on both sides, are all dry...but maybe the discoloration is evidence of evaporation?
https://flic.kr/p/26MPDik
https://flic.kr/p/26MPDik

Coolant only seems to accumulate on the driveway while and after the car has cooled...and the highest up I have seen liquid coolant is on the bolts on both sides of the transmission bellhousing, dripping down onto the crossmember
https://flic.kr/p/26MPDcP
https://flic.kr/p/26MPDcP


Any thoughts would be appreciated!

mearstrae
05-04-2018, 01:26 PM
I would think it's either the back of the cylinder head or the the intake manifold. I don't think there are any freeze plugs back there. Either way maybe some Nano Sealer might be a quick fix.

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

bullstanky
05-17-2018, 04:21 PM
I tried Bars Stop Leak and K Seal, both widely recommended for stopping leaks, though not recommended by any of my mechanics for the coolant system of an LR3. Neither worked because the source of the leak was a long hairline crack in the intake manifold:

12724

Pretty typical busted LR plastic cooling system part, none of which can be plugged with stop leak or repaired, and must be replaced.




I would think it's either the back of the cylinder head or the the intake manifold. I don't think there are any freeze plugs back there. Either way maybe some Nano Sealer might be a quick fix.

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