Head gasket gone ?

Hi all,

I have a serious problem with my freelander and was hoping someone here may know the problem. I have a 2004 freelander sport TD4.
it started back in the summer when I noticed that the engine would try to cut out or die out when pulling away, I had to rev it hard to move, also the water tank would need filling regular. If I ran the car for an hour or so and turned engine off, then tried to start it, it wouldn't start until it cooled down
Most recently and mainly this last week, I notice there's a big power loss and now while driving if you let off the revs, you can feel it wanting to cut out or die out, so I give it more revs and it puffs out lots of black smoke.
Water seems ok but the oil looks very black, there isn't any trace of water in the oil either. Some say there may be a hose off the turbo, but I have no idea where this is, but others say it could be the head gasket.....HELP.......

Any help or advice would be much appreciated....Thanks

Where do we start, from what you say It is unlikly that the head gasket has gone. The lack of power and black smoke normally indicates a split turbo hose. The non starting when warm can be a faulty cam sensor. As for the water leak can be a few things, from a faulty expansion cap to a leaking rad or heater matrix. If you let us know where about you are then maybe one of more experianced members may have a look at it for you. If not then find a good independant near you and ask them to look at it

do you know what servicing has been done on it and have all filters been changed especailly the crankcase and fuel filters

Thanks for getting back to me guys. An online expert thinks it might be the fuel filter or air filter or both, it was last serviced in December 2009 so it's due now to be done.
I live in Reading Berkshire.
I forgot to mention it smells too, like the fumes from the exhaust
I'm pleased you think the head gasket hasn't gone, although can never be 100% sure I suppose.
Would you guys reccoment a service with all filter changes ?

always recommend all filters being regularly changed..... a good place to start.

how about yr LP fuel pump? I hear that some play up before dying, though my own just died without any hint of what was to come. Do you still have the EGR fitted? Clean or remove that too.

Might sound thick but I know nothing about engines, what is the EGR ??

Just checked the turbo hose and it has a huge gash in it, so hopefully if I replace that it will fix it, plus I will get it serviced in early January.

Thanks for all your help guys, it's appreciated

Seven_no1 said:

Might sound thick but I know nothing about engines, what is the EGR ??

Click to expand...

Exhaust (eggsause) gas recirculation = Exhaust gas recirculation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stick with the forum and you'll start to learn about cars, and pick up all sorts of tips.

I know the basic stuff, but that's my limit. It's nice to know though there are websites and forums where you can get some honest decent advice by people in the know, this has probably saved me a hefty main dealer bill, so thanks everyone.