freelander head gasket failure

Edge - its ok to stand up and be counted, i do it all the time, but hard to keep a good k series enthusiast down.
I would say I am doing similar mileage. Since July 2006, 14k and still going strong. Plus i drove for about 1000 miles with hgf, just kept topping up coolant.

There is a poll on the LR gasket in the MGF/TF section, MG-Rover.org forums.
Some members have reported failures, although they have voted anonymously. So without a definitive answer as to why it failed, the votes dont count. If anything, the liners may have dropped the first time, then werent checked before the new gasket was fitted. It is compulsory to check the head and block according to LR bulletin 0036

Thanks Northern Irelander.
My comment about Freelander setup was related as much to the size of radiator. e.g. the capacity for an extra fan on the thing. It's a lot of unheated coolant suddenly rushing in when the thermostat opens.
For the record, I can only say what I've done / found out through experience. I'd love an Elise to compare radiator sizes with!
My experience with the Freelander has been everything I would have wanted from any LR i.e. easy serviceability and well designed access to parts that need replacing/ suffer wear & tear.
Let's face it guys, the Freelander still can't match any of the other LRs for ultimate off road capability and there's no point singing the praises of a no longer manufactured engine. I enjoy mine on & off road & it's not let me down yet, apart from HG & emission headaches, which have been resolvable.
Confession.........Lotus now use the Toyota 1ZZ-FE ("1.8-liter!") engine in the Elise & obviously LR dropped it when Rover died.
NIrelander is right, there are several factors to check when the head is off. Stretch bolts can be re-used if length within a limit, but at £50 a set, I'd always replace, obviously that is if I'm managing 50,0000 miles plus before a rebuild.
Liners may well be a problem as they could be better supported from what I've seen. I can't comment on that. I was mentioning the skimming as a friend was told that by a "chin stroker" mechanic (IMHO) wanting around £1K for a HG change. Before he took the head off.
I'm going to duck down behind the parapet now!

The rad in the Elise and MGF are about half the size than the FL. 6 litres of coolant in the FL, 10 litres in the MGF.
When up to normal temp the running temp of the engine is the same in all the vehicles. Sudden influx of coolant occurs when the stat initially opens in all the vehicles.
The only difference in the FL is the IRD cooler linked into the cooling system, although the MGFtrophy 160, and high spec Elises have a differential oil cooler as well.

Northern Irelander said:

The only difference in the FL is the IRD cooler linked into the cooling system, although the MGFtrophy 160, and high spec Elises have a differential oil cooler as well.

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Why does this setup result in HGF in FL?? Does it??

Heheheehehee. the stroppy cow down the road has a MGF....her car dunt work now...guess what happened

Sirus said:

Heheheehehee. the stroppy cow down the road has a MGF....her car dunt work now...guess what happened

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Yer can't blame her fer bin stroppy though can yer I've seen all those scrap cars you've got outside your house. I must say it really lowers the tone of the place. FFS yer've even blocked the pavement with some huge blue monstrosity.

redhand said:

Yer can't blame her fer bin stroppy though can yer I've seen all those scrap cars you've got outside your house. I must say it really lowers the tone of the place. FFS yer've even blocked the pavement with some huge blue monstrosity.

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It were alright till that blue peice of junk started leaking oil all down the street

It's just marking it's Territory. It's a pikey car what do you expect.

i int so sure i want the bits now
i mean £350 fur the enjin, £250 fur the box and £75 an axle soon mounts up

FFS he only paid £400 fer it. Yer can get a complete one fer £500/£600 and sell what yer don't want to recoup some of the money.

i dunno who feels sicker - yu or me

snigger Whooooooooooooooossssssshhhhhhhhh

We'll need some pliers to get this hook out

redhand said:

FFS he only paid £400 fer it. Yer can get a complete one fer £500/£600 and sell what yer don't want to recoup some of the money.

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Oi, dunt tell everybody

that is really useful to know about the aa insurance. I was told that there is no problem with the block but the hg is being done next week. I have tried to contact the previous owner but surprise surprise no response

I'm afraid you wont get any happy ending at all. Just as much as we love them, they are a nuisance and good for the scrapyard

Bill Humphries said:

oh no thats what i am afraid of. does nobody have a happy ending?!!

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Bought a HGF freelander. Rebuilt engine with new LR multilayer gasket and stronger oil rail. 16K on (18 mths later) still running fine.

There are many good mechanics who can repair this for £400 using the proper equipment and spares.

Regards,

Steve

Hello Bill

My name is tracey and Ive a 2004 Freelander that's 51K on the clock and now looking for It's fourth head gasket/ engine. So from my experience save your money and buy a different car. I paid 25K for my car four years ago brand new and today ive been told it's scrap value. I'm now looking at changing my car to either an Audi or Volvo. I want be buying LR again.

aw Nursey (fur Christ sake dont tell Grunt).

how dare yu castigate this much loved and reliable motor car. the 1.8 hippoo is a luverly vehicle - I am sure yu have had hours of endless pleasure in the four years you have had it. its a pity it has only been on the road for hours rather than the 4 years you had hoped for..

Bill

I have a feeling I am about to have the same problem as you. The local dealer garage has been trying to find the fault on mine as to why it won't run and has no power when accelerator depressed. They now think it the head gasket and need to do a crack test. If the worse comes to the worse then it will be a new engine.

I've been quoted £1,000 for new head gasket but have seen them on line for around the £400 mark so if I do need it done, I plan to get the parts and get my local mechanic to fit it. Also, if the engine needs doing, I'm going to do the same, get the part and get mechanic to fit.

you need to get someone wot knows wot they is doing and by that i don't just mean a good mechanic but someone that has experience of these 'injuns'
ask on here there might be someone that done it before and is willing to help yer out.
I would strongly suggest that you don't take it to a local mechanic just because he cheaper unless he has the experience to deal with yer gaylander