bitten the bullet

Ok so ive finally got round to removing the cylinder head - its sitting on dining table waiting to be cleaned ready for skimmimg

the question is which head gasket set do i get

fleabay all in £40 +
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311609823609?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120326335590?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

local car shop same thing £90
60 + for gaskets 20+ for bolts

has anybody any experience of the fleabay items - seller

also how would you clean the block before fitting new gasket, and should the cylinder liners be proud of the block?

cfwnotloB said:

Ok so ive finally got round to removing the cylinder head - its sitting on dining table waiting to be cleaned ready for skimmimg

the question is which head gasket set do i get

fleabay all in £40 +
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311609823609?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120326335590?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

local car shop same thing £90
60 + for gaskets 20+ for bolts

has anybody any experience of the fleabay items - seller

also how would you clean the block before fitting new gasket, and should the cylinder liners be proud of the block?

Click to expand...

1.Have you checked the head for flatness. If the car didn't overheat severely it is probably fine. Don't skim it if it don't need it.
2. Do it right and do it once. Forget the ebay crap and get a good payne elastomer or MLS from a trusted supplier. They may be on ebay but will be known else where. Eurocarparts do a kit as do dmgrs. I was recommended these guys and bought a MLS for my first car and it is still going two years but only around 10k miles later.http://stores.ebay.co.uk/GASKETS-for-CLASSICS/_i.html?_nkw=freelander&submit=Search&_sid=189552204
I bought an Elastomer from dmgrs for my second car and still good after around 10k miles
3. I used a nylon scouring pad and a little diesel to clean the surfaces.
4. My liners weren't proud on my Freelander so I used a Payne Elastomer.
5. While the head and timing belt are off, change the water pump, tensioner and belt.
6. If the cam rail is leaking oil take it off and reseal it.

Good Luck

thanks for the reply

please see photos of cylinder head

it seems to have a raised surface across all 4 cylinders on the inlet side flat on the exhaust side - is this skimmable or is it totally foobard

Is 't more of a mark where the head gasket fire ring sits, rather than any deviation, what's it like with a straight edge against it?

its a about half a mill proud round 180 degrees on all 4 cylinders

@ BB thanks 4 the move -- but -- is it safe in here ?

cfwnotloB said:

@ BB thanks 4 the move -- but -- is it safe in here ?

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you got some KY

no but I'm sure BB has

cfwnotloB said:

no but I'm sure BB has

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keeps it in his back pocket. He is a good scout,always prepared

Thor1950 said:

keeps it in his back pocket. He is a good scout,always prepared

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ok but will it fix my cylinder ed problem?

cfwnotloB said:

ok but will it fix my cylinder ed problem?

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lube the rings and bore

freelance said:

Is 't more of a mark where the head gasket fire ring sits, rather than any deviation, what's it like with a straight edge against it?

Click to expand...

on looking at these with a straight edge across, they appear to be more of a grove than raised, straight edge sits on both outer edges of the head so can only assume these have been caused by the cylinder bores - any insight welcomed

You give the impression head needs a skim, any grooves will be from the compression rings in the head gasket

If there is in impression in the head gasket face left by the previous gaskets fire rings, then I would get it skimmed, just enough to remove the marks. The patches of deeper recession are likely to be voids in the casing. These need to peened gently before skimming to remove any voids below the surface.

if you look at photo _003 this is probably the best one to show the indentations in the head - cant see these having been made by the HG
And as the are deep will a skim fix them?

cfwnotloB said:

if you look at photo _003 this is probably the best one to show the indentations in the head - cant see these having been made by the HG
And as the are deep will a skim fix them?

Click to expand...

Those are quite common on the K head. It's caused by the metal being porous under the surface. Peening will close the voids and skimming will correct the surface again. You can take 20 thou off the head without causing problems, providing it's not been skimmed previously.

thanks - not sure if its been done before as it seems to be an MLS gasket that I just removed and loads of gasket sealant on the cam rail joints!

You don't mention the mileage but I suspect most K series Freelanders have a new HG fitted at around 60k and depending on how well the first was done then probably again at around 100k. If done badly they can go every 10 -15k.
Lots of if's, maybe's and probably's there if you don't have a full service history.
If she is over 100k then I'd assume the head has been skimmed before.
This is my assessment but maybe more knowledgeable members will comment.

Alibro said:

You don't mention the mileage but I suspect most K series Freelanders have a new HG fitted at around 60k and depending on how well the first was done then probably again at around 100k. If done badly they can go every 10 -15k.
Lots of if's, maybe's and probably's there if you don't have a full service history.
If she is over 100k then I'd assume the head has been skimmed before.
This is my assessment but maybe more knowledgeable members will comment.

Click to expand...

That's an accurate assessment Alibro, especially as we now know the a MLS gasket was fitted.
As this particular K already had the MLS gasket then those surface impressions were likely left over from the previous polymer gasket, indicating a bodged previous repair. It's possibly been overhead, so the OP needs to look for evidence of that. If overheating has occurred, it's best to buy another head, or use a 1mm "Head Saver" shim.

thanks for the replies - head in for skim and consensus of opinion is 'bodged rebuild last time'
mileage 70 k so if I get 3 years out of it I will be well happy as its only going to be used as a second car 5k max probably - unless no1 car goes bang or the wife's