Disappearing coolant mystery

[Meisterbr?wn]

Hi all -
I have a 2000 Disco with about 77k on the clock.

For a couple years or so, I have noticed the coolant level seems to decline slightly. I would need to top it up every couple months or so. The throttle body heater plate was identified as the source of the leak (based on the crusty orange buildup) but it was so slight, I never did much.

Well a few weeks ago it got a lot worse. Coolant needed to be topped up constantly and just now on my way back from lunch I noticed for the first time it was running a little hot. A few blocks from work and the temp needle was starting to flirt with the "red zone" and finally the red light of doom illuminated. Thankfully I was stopped at a notoriously long light, so I turned the engine off and waited.

I am at work now and should be able to make it home easily enough. I got my throttle body heater plate just yesterday (coincidentally) but probably won't have time to install it until this weekend. I am not a wrench and I will have a friend/mechanic do it.

OK so my question is this: what likely places are there for the coolant to leak from? There is still the crusty schmeg around the throttle body plate, but I would expect to see engine components absolutely soaked from the leaking coolant. Things are kinda damp, but no smoking gun. The t-stat is solid and I can't identify any other obvious hose leaks.

I hate to consider that it is a more serious problem, but I know that is a fact of life with these rigs. Any other obvious places I should look?

Also, what kind of coolant is everyone using? The manual says OAT, I've been using stuff that says OAT and they all pretty much say DEX-Cool too. Maybe that's my problem?

TIA

Adrian

 

[garrett]

the heater plate is a snap to replace if you want to do it yourself. they are notorious for leaking. other areas to keep an eye on are the valley pan/intake gaskets. they leak at the rear and down the back of the motor, transmission bell housing and onto the cats. you'll usually see a white residue on the cats, so that is why you never see coolant on the ground.

 

[Mudquest]

Dex-cool is what I've been using, and topping off my coolant system with regularly (orange color). So there's no issue with the coolant choice. The coolant must all be of the same type - mixing is awefully bad. I too an determined to find the source of loss as well. I think I'm getting close... all thanks to the help of this forum.

There are many folks here that will be posting MUCHO advice. Enjoy.

 

[darkalian]

When my level was going down it was a crack in the radiator and the throttle body gasket was leaking.

 

[frickjp]

Take a good look at the radiator, they are famous for leaks. Yoink the upper rad hose up out of the shroud and look down. Front cover gaskets squeeze out near the water ports, head gaskets weep at the ends, and intakes leak. Hell, it's a Rover, everything leaks.