Freelander problem - overheating

After some help and opinions with our Freelander V6 (2001 - petrol). We've only had it a few weeks and are experiencing problems with it....

Main problem is it overheats when idle. The top hose of the radiator is very hot, however the bottom hose and radiator itself remain cold.

My dad fitted a new water pump, and a new thermostat. And also checked the radiator for any airlocks but water does flow freely through it. There is also no oil in the water.

After doing all this, the car is still overheating

What should we do next?!

Thanks!

You say overheating....the V6 does run hot and when bonnet is lifted can feel very hot....it can take a few attempts to bleed engine properly so airlocks are fairly common if not done correctly.....Have you checked what temperature engine is running at??? top hose will heat up very quickly and only when engine/thermostat/coolant reach temperature will the bottom hose become hot and therfore the radiator will gett hot all over instead of just near top hose.

doobreydog said:

You say overheating....the V6 does run hot and when bonnet is lifted can feel very hot....it can take a few attempts to bleed engine properly so airlocks are fairly common if not done correctly.....Have you checked what temperature engine is running at??? top hose will heat up very quickly and only when engine/thermostat/coolant reach temperature will the bottom hose become hot and therfore the radiator will gett hot all over instead of just near top hose.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply! to be honest, I know nothing about cars, so I can't answer all of your questions without checking with my husband or dad!!

The overheating has happened after we have driven at least half an hour, so by this time would everything have reached the "correct" temperature?

are there any cold spots in the radiator - ie - is it blocked anywhere?

why not take it back to the seller and get yo money back?



why do peeps always come on here AFTER they have bought one?

The Mad Hat Man said:

are there any cold spots in the radiator - ie - is it blocked anywhere?

why not take it back to the seller and get yo money back?



why do peeps always come on here AFTER they have bought one?

Click to expand...

My dad did check for any air blockages but didn't find any.

Ummm, we thought we were buying a decent car!!!

Never asked but do we presume the fans are kicking in??? What is actually making you think its overheating???

Take it back and get yer money back - the V6 is not fit for purpose.
If not, you will be forking out £4k for a new engine before long.
Trust me, I speak from experience.

saying nowt, Trewy?

doobreydog said:

Never asked but do we presume the fans are kicking in??? What is actually making you think its overheating???

Click to expand...

Just checked...after idling for about 10 minutes, the expansion tank rapidly fills and water escapes from the cap. The fans aren't kicking in.

First thing to try is a different cap...If seal has gone then coolant will not be pressurised and will boil over as described....couple of quid to buy...

Fans probably wouldnt kick in after only 10 mins so have another go after new cap.

and get a sniffer test done ASAP - checks for combustion gases int coolant - if its HGF - yu is looking at circa 2K (if anyone will touch it). lots of garages wont because they dont wanna warranty it.

I'll bet this month's pay cheque that the Head Gasket's gone already.

Dunt yer mean incapacity benefit cheque??

doobreydog said:

First thing to try is a different cap...If seal has gone then coolant will not be pressurised and will boil over as described....couple of quid to buy...

Fans probably wouldnt kick in after only 10 mins so have another go after new cap.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it

To the other posters that replied - is everyone as down on Freelanders as you are?!

scotkat said:

To the other posters that replied - is everyone as down on Freelanders as you are?!

Click to expand...

those of us that have had them - yes.

I can only offer advice, based on my experience. If you choose to ignore it, that's up to you.

scotkat said:

To the other posters that replied - is everyone as down on Freelanders as you are?!

Click to expand...

You will get used to Statler and Waldorf Statler and Waldorf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (and their sidekicks) on here....seems to me that its somthing to do with being neglected during childhood Either that or the fact they just dont understand the complexities of modern (beyond cart spring) motors

Treworgey 90 said:

those of us that have had them - yes.

I can only offer advice, based on my experience. If you choose to ignore it, that's up to you.

Click to expand...

I appreciate all advice! just a bit worried we have bought a useless car....

Seriously.
KV6's are notorious for HGF.
Yours is overheating and, apparently, pressurising - classic symptoms and exactly what mine did.
If you can find someone to replace the HGs, they probably won't warranty the job and it may well go again (mine lasted 2 weeks).
If you take it to a LR main dealer they will say you need a new engine, which will cost you £4k at least.

I say again - take it back and get a refund.

Treworgey 90 said:

Seriously.
KV6's are notorious for HGF.
Yours is overheating and, apparently, pressurising - classic symptoms and exactly what mine did.
If you can find someone to replace the HGs, they probably won't warranty the job and it may well go again (mine lasted 2 weeks).
If you take it to a LR main dealer they will say you need a new engine, which will cost you £4k at least.

I say again - take it back and get a refund.

Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure of this, but I thought we had the engine that wasn't notorious for HGF?

It was a private sale, so I highly doubt we'd get a refund. I guess we should fix what is wrong with the car and sell it then?

K series HGF is caused by a combination of a crap cooling system, leading to hot spots, and a crap elastomer head gasket.
The KV6 is even worse than the 1.8 because of lack of airflow around the rear cylinder bank and a more convoluted coolant flow route.

It's much more expensive to repair too - the engine has to come out to replace the head gaskets.

You were a mug to buy it - try to find an even bigger mug to pass it on to.