Newbie needing advice.

Hi, a year ago we purchased a Freelander ‘53 plate privately on Facebook.
We drove an over an hour away to look at it and after a test drive and looking at all the paperwork and previous work etc we decided to buy it.
Luckily I insured it and got rac membership before driving from their ve house, as we only got half hour into the journey home when the head gasket blew and It’s been sitting on our drive since.
We now have the money to get it fixed but are struggling to find anyone willing to do it that will charge a reasonable price. 2 garages have even said that they won’t touch it as they are a nightmare to fix. At the time it broke down we were quoted £700-900 to get it repaired but now some are quoting £1.5 -£2k
We are in Eastbourne East Sussex, could anyone offer any advice, help, recommendations please? Thanks in advance.

What engine does the car have?

Are you handy with spanners?.

J

These are the car details.
I’m ok at taking things apart lol
I’m also ok at following YouTube videos and reading manuals

GrumpyGel said:

What engine does the car have?

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1766cc Petrol

marjon said:

Are you handy with spanners?.

J

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Better with a chain saw

Borisnbridget said:

Better with a chain saw

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.

Suppose you could just cut it up a weigh in.

J

Borisnbridget said:

At the time it broke down we were quoted £700-900 to get it repaired but now some are quoting £1.5 -£2k

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They're covering themselves, but it's basically a 6 hour job, for someone who's done it before.

@andyfreelandy has just done his, so he'll be able to give you an idea of how long it took him.

The unfortunate thing is the engine has now been sitting for an extended period with water in the oil, which isn't ideal. Hopefully it won't have caused any damage to the bores, pistons or anything else, but unfortunately that won't be known until the head is removed.

Parts wise, it's not that much, maybe £200 tops, coupled with day's labour, but that's only if there's no other damage to the engine, caused by water being where it shouldn't be.

If you were closer, I'd take on the job for you, but unfortunately I'm too far away to do that.

Hi there.
I agree with Nodge, about a day or 7 hours. That includes belts, tensioner, water pump and gasket.
I spent £150 on a kit with head gasket, bolts, belt, pump, tensioner and gaskets.
So, £500 ish.
But and it is a big but, depends on state of liners and head when opened up. If the head is warped, cracked or has depressions then it will need work or replacing. Also if liners are lower than block surface then more work.
My take on it would be, get it opened up and checked. Cracks, warped, liners etc and if any further work think again. Replacement engine even. But you won't know until it is inspected by someone that knows what to look for.

Andy, aren't you going down the MG6 turbo conversion route? Reason I ask is there could be a deal to be done here, you supply and fit the 1.8 out of your car which would fund the purchase of the MG6 engine and some? The only bugger is the logistics...

Maybe, one day!
Enjoying it while it is working!!
Also working on the Cortina at the mo. But good idea. I do have a spare running 1.8k if wanted.

I was also thinking maybe best to drop in another good knowing running engine, after sitting that long.

Borisnbridget said:

Hi, a year ago we purchased a Freelander ‘53 plate privately on Facebook.
We drove an over an hour away to look at it and after a test drive and looking at all the paperwork and previous work etc we decided to buy it.
Luckily I insured it and got rac membership before driving from their ve house, as we only got half hour into the journey home when the head gasket blew and It’s been sitting on our drive since.
We now have the money to get it fixed but are struggling to find anyone willing to do it that will charge a reasonable price. 2 garages have even said that they won’t touch it as they are a nightmare to fix. At the time it broke down we were quoted £700-900 to get it repaired but now some are quoting £1.5 -£2k
We are in Eastbourne East Sussex, could anyone offer any advice, help, recommendations please? Thanks in advance.

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I suspect the seller knew the HG was failing and probably put radweld or similar in to get it sold to some poor unsuspecting sod like yourself.
Head over to MG forums for more advice as the engine is common in MG's. There are several reputable mobile mechanics that can do the job for a reasonable price at your own home if you are in their area and they are known in these forums.
Or take the chance and do it yourself but you'll need torx sockets for the head bolts and a torque wrench to tighten them correctly.
Allow yourself a weekend to do it.

Arctic2 said:

I was thinking also maybe best to drop another good knowing running engine, after sitting that long.

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Where would I look for one?

Alibro said:

I suspect the seller knew the HG was failing and probably put radweld or similar in to get it sold to some poor unsuspecting sod like yourself.
Head over to MG forums for more advice as the engine is common in MG's. There are several reputable mobile mechanics that can do the job for a reasonable price at your own home if you are in their area and they are known in these forums.
Or take the chance and do it yourself but you'll need torx sockets for the head bolts and a torque wrench to tighten them correctly.
Allow yourself a weekend to do it.

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I have looked but I’ve not found any mechanics on here from eastbourne. But I’m new so I may be looking in the wrong place?

andyfreelandy said:

Maybe, one day!
Enjoying it while it is working!!
Also working on the Cortina at the mo. But good idea. I do have a spare running 1.8k if wanted.

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How much are you asking for it?

Borisnbridget said:

I have looked but I’ve not found any mechanics on here from eastbourne. But I’m new so I may be looking in the wrong place?

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Go to mg-rover.org and search for mobile mechanic. I'm not English and don't have a clue about where Eastbourne is but there will probably be someone within reach.

Borisnbridget said:

How much are you asking for it?

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I suspect it would be easier/cheaper to fix the engine you've got.

There are engines to be found, but i doubt you will get one like on of the chaps on the Rover 75 club sold not so long back.
1.8T Full Engine - New For Sale****NOW SOLD**** - The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums (the75andztclub.co.uk)

So as above worth trawling other forums for a good 1.8T engine

Hi,

Head gasket ? You should look if you can swap the full engine for cheap, sometimes it's better than trying to fix a blown head gasket.

Regards.

You could also try Breakerlink. At least you get some warranty (some offer 3 or 6 months), and many breakers on there will swap it if it doesn't work. Bung the request on and they will bid for your business, but don't jump in & buy too quick.

Got a VW Golf gearbox few years back, and when it arrived the casing was damaged. They swapped it for another next day !!