Freelander 1 Best way to flush coolant on K series 1.8 FL1

PRO · May 7, 2022

Hi so I am back with yet another 1.8 summer project underdog.
Oil in coolant on this one, plenty of it. Got brand new cylinder head with valves and tappets, bw750 gasket (lucky find) and all the bits including coolant reservoir and PRT thermostat with hoses.

What is the best way to flush the coolant and clean it before strip? I've been reading and people recommend 50/50 bleach or dishwasher liquid. If anyone's done it please advise.

Thanks,
Paul

Arctic2 · May 7, 2022

i have heard pure orange juice mixed with water 50/50 the cheap stuff not the juice with bits.

link to whom suggested it on the R40 forum for the 1.8 he is a well respected guru.

The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums - View Single Post - Oil In Expansion tank (the75andztclub.co.uk)

Nodge68 · May 7, 2022

I must admit that I've had good results with simple washing up liquid. I use just a couple of teaspoons of liquid to plain water, then run the engine for a few minutes, then drain it and repeat a couple of times.
Once the washing up liquid starts to form foam, there little oil left, as oil prevents the foam from forming.

PRO · May 8, 2022

I've done it, 50/50 bleach/water. Two flushes, all clear now.
The reason for oil in coolant was fitting an el cheapo MLS gasket on flush/uneven liners. I even suspect the bolts were not torqued down properly.

andyfreelandy · May 8, 2022

Hi Paul, did you read my findings on a recent HG failure? Similarly a multi layer failed and cylinder 4 was only a touch above block.

500 miles now and all good.

Mine had a washer under a bolt head too.

Nodge68 · May 8, 2022

IMO the MLS gasket on a less than perfect K series is a waste of time.

My FL2 has a MLS gasket, and so far it's been fine. However the FL2 is a dry liner engine, which isn't so fussy about engine tolerances as the K series.
I'm hoping to get another 100k out of my FL2 at least, hopefully on the same HG.

PRO · May 8, 2022

andyfreelandy said:
Hi Paul, did you read my findings on a recent HG failure? Similarly a multi layer failed and cylinder 4 was only a touch above block.

500 miles now and all good.

Mine had a washer under a bolt head too.

In my case pretty much all piston sleeves were flush not sitting proud really. I will have to gamble as I am not getting another block, no time.
It has been done today so after a good run (so tappets will fill up) I will do a compression test.

Freelander 1 Best way to flush coolant on K series 1.8 FL1

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