Freelander 1 KV6 Head Gasket failure.. Your thoughts please..

Hi All,

Looks like I have Head Gasket failure on my V6 Freelander 1.

I have the dreaded white smoke and can smell petrol in the expansion bottle. I've stopped driving it because on ignition sometimes it makes a clunking noise and takes a few seconds for anything to happen before it turns over (flooded cylinders maybe?).

I've read all sorts of stories here on the forum but has anyone actually made a successful repair to theirs that had a HG failure? I actually really like everything else about my Freelander. It suits it's purpose perfectly - if it wasn't for the blasted engine!

I've called a reputable local company who can pressure test and skim the heads. They quoted £172 inc vat for this. I've seen a head gasket kit including the long bolts on ebay for £88 and my fitter has quoted me £300 for the labour. So the job would cost £560. What do you guys think? Should I take the punt and see if it works. Knowing my luck my fitter will open a bag of worms and just tell me to dump it (he's already apprehensive for me before even undertaking the work!)

Even if I'm lucky enough for this method to fix the problem, I've read on here it's not long before they fail again.

What do you guys think? (Nodge and Hippo, if you read this I'd really appreciate any input.)

Thanks.

What mileage, condition on the rest of the vehicle?

109,000 miles. Condition is excellent. Drives very well. Not a dent or scratch on the bodywork. When it is clean its a real head turner. Fully loaded.. Full leather, auto, all the gadgets. Private plate. Like I said, apart from the engine it's great. I only use it once daily to go to a farm and back. 12 miles per day. 6 days per week. It's perfect for that application (the track to the farm is very rough and not really suitable for a regular car).

So frustrating. I hope I can save it..

Just found a complete replacement engine for £425 delivered. Debating whether I should just take the risk and buy a new engine.

I just need to check the engine code. Any ideas where I would find this?

Anyone??

You'll also incur the extra costs of the replacing the 3 cam belts, waterpump and thermostat housing ( it sits in the bottom of the V ) so may work out cheaper to fit the new engine with new belts etc. than bother repairing the original lump

Thanks LUKBENPHI,

I'm coming to the conclusion that it's not going to be viable for repair. £425 for a replacement engine plus at least £300 labour, providing nothing else breaks whilst changing put the cost over the value of the car. Which is really disappointing. If only I could source a cheaper replacement engine... Any ideas?

Also, its it the same engine for all V6 Auto Freelanders?

No ideas I'm afraid, the rover 45/75 share the same basic engine in 2.5 form but I'm certain there will be other differences to contend (sensors wiring etc.) with plus making sure its actually is a 2.5 and not an incorrectly advertised rover 2.0 v6 is an issue that faces a lot of Rover/mg drivers with blown engines, you could always attempt some of the work yourself with regards to the gaskets on the original engine depending on your skill level and I'd be tempted to find what has caused the gaskets to go in the first place as I've not heard of many going in the mg rover world ( its usually more cambelt breakages that finish them off) , might be worth dropping the oil to see what's in there currently

Yer need to put a @ before the names for the site to send us an auto "alert" to yer messages, like this: @Hippo @Nodge68 or we may miss it.

It's sad to see another v6 owner struggling with the cost of repair or replacement, when the vehicle it loved like a family pet and in good condition. What's the auto gearbox like? Is it smooth and the original?

There's always the risk the replacement engine doesn't work propper or it's also had problems and not been fixed propper so it won't last.

Your symptoms don't sound like HGF to me. Is it loosing coolant? Is the oil milky? .It's common for there to be white smoke (actually steam) at the tail pipe. Maybe you have a lazy starter? If you were local to me, I could check it over for you.

Sounds more like exhaust gasket to me.