Head Gasket Blown 2 times in the last month

Long story short, I bought my Freelander with the Head Gasket Blown from a friend cheap. I then sold my other Freelander 1 to pay for the repair where the gasket blew once after being replaced before I even got it back, Then 550 miles after I got it back the top radiator hose popped off as the garage hadn't put the clip on it to secure it on.

The temp gauge showed the car not over heating but who knows. I limped it to my destinations where I bought pliers and coolant, bled the system as best I could and drove the car home. Next day I took it to the garage, who acknowledged they had forgotten to put the clip on, and then the water level started going down everytime the car was driven. (A whole expansion tanks worth), finally after several days of the garage and myself not finding the fault, discovered that the bottom heater matrix pipe had split at the join by the temp sensor. As soon as the mechanic touched the pipe the water started gushing out. So they dropped me home and for a small fee made a temporary pipe to stop the coolant leaking, However after I got it back I noticed it was getting through water again but not very fast, so opened the oil cap, and low and behold, gunk! So pulled the dipstick out and more gunk. So topped the water up and went back to the garage. And now have been left in the lurch after spending a grand total of £1300 in repair bills most of that was the Head Gasket, and now have a car with a blown head gasket and naff all of a budget to fix it.

So I posted an ad in several places, where a kind stranger replied and said they had a skimmed head with new valve seals already in it for £85. This is being collected by my Mum on Sunday, but I was told by the garage the engine block had a slightly uneven surface in one corner where it failed when they fitted the first replacement gasket. So now I want to get the block skimmed which will cost £55.

But now I am rather confused by the many different brands of MLS gaskets out there.

Which MLS gasket brand is the better one to go for and which ones are to avoid please?

I know most people would cut your losses, but I genuinely don't want to and can't afford to lol. I love my Freelander.

I fitted a Payen mls to mine and it's going great guns, enjoy your FL when it's back together.
search all about it on this site, all aspects of this amazing vehicle have been covered

Never limp a k series!!!!! Big mistake

You're getting the block skimmed?

Diesel Do said:

You're getting the block skimmed?

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i saw that and just thought he must've meant the head!

all i did to mine was use an oil stone to clean up the block.

just tell the garage to do the job yu paid them to do, at no cost to yourself; within 2 weeks, or you will get a proper garage to do the job and send them the bill, At the same time you will be contacting trading standards.

The Mad Hat Man said:

just tell the garage to do the job yu paid them to do, at no cost to yourself; within 2 weeks, or you will get a proper garage to do the job and send them the bill, At the same time you will be contacting trading standards.

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My thoughts exactly! They're at fault!

The Mad Hat Man said:

just tell the garage to do the job yu paid them to do, at no cost to yourself; within 2 weeks, or you will get a proper garage to do the job and send them the bill, At the same time you will be contacting trading standards.

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Not an option. I got advice from another garage and was told because the other pipe had split that the garage who did the repair could get out of being to blame altogether.

Were they contaminated with oil? Did they advise you to change them?

Don't take garages advice. Go to trading standards.

Or just grow yo money away.
How do yu know they didn't fit a faulty pipe?

They would need to prove the pipe was split prior to the gasket job and if it had been sent in to fix a gasket and coolant loss they should have found it. Other garage is probably after money

cj86 said:

Not an option. I got advice from another garage and was told because the other pipe had split that the garage who did the repair could get out of being to blame altogether.

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Phone CAB who took over from Consumer Direct

My engine block has 2 even bumps on the front right hand side, the garage showed me this before the second gasket was fitted and I ran my finger over that corner and could clearly feel a slight bump. The first replacement gasket leaked coolant from that point. The current gasket leaks 1 drip of oil and seals itself from that same point, the garage also said that the oil rail being brand new as I supplied it may mean the head bolts wouldn't necessarily be the correct torque settings although I watched the bolts being tightened the 2nd time. And they did use a torque wrench but I am clueless when it comes to knowing how to use a torque wrench lol. I own one but have never used it.

Do I need to get the block skimmed?

It's their fault make them fix it so its right or replace block, don't let them bridge it back

Also if they were using head bolts rather than arp studs tu should have replaced ideally and defo used wrench rather than guessing

Also I paid cash in hand. I think I was royally screwed over. But right now I just need to get it back on the road, I am disabled and heavily rely on my own transport and live in a very remote location. I have to use the Freelander everyday. I tried to get the original garage to re-repair the car but only got offered a mates rate discount on the labour.

As far as the engine block goes, do I need to get it skimmed?

bolts would be stretch bolts

They used new head bolts and a torque wrench. They supplied the head gasket set which is a Vincent Reinz MLS Gasket.

Sorry, trying to reply fast but replies coming quicker than I can type.

So is it due to them not doing something properly first time but still charging regardless of what it was?

Yes they used new stretch bolts.