Coolant Leak Help

[HoDiggity71]

I have been a happy LR/Disco II owner for 3 months now despite all the horror stories and as a weekend/emergency mechanic (fix if it's it broke) I thank all of you for the advise you post.
I have a 2002 Disco II../57,650 miles../No MODS.../No 4x4'ing
I guess my issue started this morning when the OAT in Va beach finally dropped from upper 80's to the mid 60's. My drive to work was normal, but I had the heat on. After spending 3 hours at work I noticed that I had a puddle under my truck. I drove a few miles to the gym, where I noticed a coolant leak. (Not a gusher but it was coming out) I figured i'd get home. As I started to drive, the engine temp started to spike until I turned off the heater! Temp gauge went back to midline..and I had no other issues for a 10mile ride home. Once in the driveway
- I let the truck idle for about 15-17 minutes: NO LEAK
- Turned on the heater: NO LEAK (I did get a slight rise in engine temp, but the gauge was soon was back in the middle)
- All hoses/connections look good and the coolant is a little low (but nothing alarming)
- Could not duplicate the LEAK
Sticky thermostat? Or something else

Thanks in advance for your ideas and help

 

[joey]

First to make sure you are not low on antifreeze... run with the heater on and check the level... it wouldn't hurt to fill it up a little as well just to make sure.

Could be a sticky T-stat, but it could also be the heater core was a little clogged and just needed a good cleaning.

When was the last hose and antifreeze refresh? If it hasn't been done it is time.

 

[HoDiggity71]

UPDATE
the weather got warm and the leak went away!?!?...my mech. said to bring it back when it starts again...
ok..so it got cold again this am and I got the leak back. I had the under plastic off...so it was easy to find
QUESTION: Would it be stupid of me to say the "drip" leak is coming from a bad sump gasket?
I bleed the system of air...and the leak is opposite side of the thermostat
((I looked it up on my CD ROM...and that what the picture says...))
((I do not smell coolant on my oil dip stick... and I have NO coolant in my oil))
....even during stop and go morning traffic my temp comtinues to stay mid-line
not going to risk it so i'ts parked..but if a sump gasket sound right..i can get that done and save myself a few$$
..
Any advise?
Thanks in advance

 

[joey]

A gasket with a little leak only in cold is an odd one... I would say cold you are running the heater. If this is the case I would look more to heater core hoses or even the heater core itself.

P.S. I live in Va Bch for 12 years.... enjoyed my time there, but glad when I left... hated tourist season.... wasn't legal to hunt them and they just congested the road ways.

 

[sandman]

got a digital comera, take a picture of the following, the front of the engine, the radiator,
the driver side at the back and send them too me.

I can tell slow leaks pretty easy.