Freelander 1.8 K series hgf - more data

Doh wrong kind

the small one is the same size

hello folks.

Ive just read through this ection with my head in my hands!!

Me and the missus bought out 'hippo' back in 2009 for 1500 sheets just because she needed a tank to get back and for to work. It was replaced by a disco in mid 2012 and went on the drive where it has sat ever since.

it was only after we paid for it that i did the researdch into the K series engine and found out that we most propably had a sog on our hands. I went back through the paperwork and mountain of receipts and found the work order for a new head gasket in 2002 with only 2100ish miles on it. there was other stuff as well, like a new wiper arm, and pas wing mirror which was also warranty.

Anyway, my saab is about to go to the scrappy and im getting the hippo back on the road. Since it was parked up ive done a bit more research and found that its probably very past due to go bang, as its done 103k miles. Its never had any cooling issues, its been maintained and run while its been parked, no oil in the coolant, or mayo in the oil.

I need a cheap car, so its got to go on the road. ive done the break lines, and the diff mounts, and its ready for the MOT.

BUT, here is the question, could we have accidentally; by a complete fluke; have baught a good one???

its never broken down, apart from the antenna being replaced, 3 windows failing because of the wire, and the radio dieing its tip top.

Go for it. There are a few good ones out there. At least you are going in to it with your eyes open.

Check the VCU is working properly

Yeh you may have a good one, not all of them went bang especially after 2001. Just keep an eye on coolant levels and check your heater is working at least once a week - an airlock in the heater (thus no warm air) is a strong sign that the HG is leaking exhaust gas into the coolant.

But yours sounds like it's ok. Like MHM said get your transmission checked out as that's more important.

I've been driving my new D2 for a month now and got back into my Freelander today, it amazes me how tight and crisp it feels compared to the D2. Though I love the D2's rock solid and determined drive. Both excellent cars.

Thanks very much folks. Sorry about the awful spelling.
Im still new to all this 'Hippo' stuff.
When we got it i was suprised that it was quite a tough little bugger.
Whats a VCU?
And what exactly do you mean by get the transmission checked?
Im slowly coming to the conclusion that my car was built on a Wednesday afternoon, just after dinnertime, when the workers were in a good mood and the union shop steward was on the golf course.

themadbadger said:

Thanks very much folks. Sorry about the awful spelling.
Im still new to all this 'Hippo' stuff.
When we got it i was suprised that it was quite a tough little bugger.
Whats a VCU?
And what exactly do you mean by get the transmission checked?
Im slowly coming to the conclusion that my car was built on a Wednesday afternoon, just after dinnertime, when the workers were in a good mood and the union shop steward was on the golf course.

Click to expand...

Find out VERY QUICKLY - or be prepared for horrendous bills

The Mad Hat Man said:

Find out VERY QUICKLY - or be prepared for horrendous bills

Click to expand...

right oh! on it!

right..............yeah..........that looks a doddle!
So the VCU is like a damper between the gearbox and the diff then??

HA! just looked at the prices of them on fleabay!!
is there anyway of maintaining them??

just found a guide of how to check the tran fluid and stuff!
will get onto that at weekend!
thanks MHM!

just read an atticle about the vcu.........now im clued in!

themadbadger said:

just read an atticle about the vcu.........now im clued in!

Click to expand...

The only really trusted VCU's come from Feelander Specialist and Bell Engineering - many ebay ones are total bollix. Very easy to fit yourself.

ha! im now seeing this.....just found onre for £79.99! You can almost tell its made of cardboard.....and ive found them for £600.
ill have a look at Bell a bit later, but is it worth avaoiding Landrovers own VCU?

themadbadger said:

ha! im now seeing this.....just found onre for £79.99! You can almost tell its made of cardboard.....and ive found them for £600.
ill have a look at Bell a bit later, but is it worth avaoiding Landrovers own VCU?

Click to expand...

Bell sell them for about £250. If you don't have one to exchange then it's another £100 on top or something. They cut them open and renew the viscous fluid (and lots more too I expect) and then very neatly weld them back up and do a damn good job of it too. Not point in buying a brand new one, even though they should be service items!

hmm ok, so don't buy an 1.8, guess i'll look for a diesel then.

Koen said:

hmm ok, so don't buy an 1.8, guess i'll look for a diesel then.

Click to expand...

Get one of the early rover L series diesels, they are completely bombproof. If you make sure the transmission is sorted they are as relaible as Hippo's get. The Bimmer TD4 is great but expensive to fix if it breaks.

The 1.8 is a piece of **** to work on though, and parts are cheap if it does go pop.

Hello all.
This is probably the wrong section but i thought id clue you in.

The freelander failed its MOT yesterday, But that was expected as i only spend enough time and money to get it to the MOT centre and garage.
But its good news!!! It failed on:
windscreen wipers.
insecure battery.
low brake fluid level.
THATS IT! HAHAHAHHAHHHAHAHA

And it walked through the emissions test, which i was really worried about.

Advisories on PSR tyre, and exhaust mid section. Alot better than i thought.

My mechanic did say when he took it round the block that, the PSR suspension knocks, and the handbreak feels weird. But i can do them myself, when the car is on the road. i get my free retest before 10 days, and have to spend about £20!

Im a happy man. And V grateful to the fella who put the guide to Diff mount swapping on here.

Now.....to secure that bettery!

My car has become my hobby!

please help me out recently i purchased a cylinderhead which had been rebuilt and i have had endless problems with noisy hydraulic lifters so i removed the cylinder head and asked for advice from my supplier who said that it could be a rover cylinder head instead of a freelander 1.8 cylinder head.is there a difference that you might clarify for me i would much appreciate it

robjsam said:

please help me out recently i purchased a cylinderhead which had been rebuilt and i have had endless problems with noisy hydraulic lifters so i removed the cylinder head and asked for advice from my supplier who said that it could be a rover cylinder head instead of a freelander 1.8 cylinder head.is there a difference that you might clarify for me i would much appreciate it

Click to expand...

There isn't any real difference between any K series cylinder head on the large bore engines. The cam timing varies slightly between models but other than that they are interchangeable.
If your tappets are noisy, either you have an oil supply problem or the tappets are past there best.

Hi Robj,

As Nodge said, i would expect them to be interchangeable. Land Rover have also released an uprated oil rail, I just replaced mine last weekend on my 1.8 series petrol 2000 model, having put up old against new, the new has about 4 or 5 holes on one side whereas the old has no such holes on the same location, thus covered up. Interestingly, when i removed the oil supply pipe, in the strainer i found gunk trapped in there, i eventually got it out. The new uprated oil rail not only improved clamping ability of the head gasket as the head bolts directly bolt in to it, but also helps with the oil supply due to the extra holes in it. Does yours have the updated oil rail? Not saying this will solve your problem, but i think oil supply may be the culprit. Have you resolved it yet or is it still doing that?