Head Gasket - to get repaired or not??

Have had a quote to get the head gasket repaired on my 02 Freelander (84K miles) along with timing belt change whilst the engine is stripped down by a small local garage specialising in these kind of probs (although the dealer I bought it from told me that the belt it had already been changed but I'm not too sure!!) and this has come out at approx a grand ......... would like some Honest opinions on whether anyone has had a repair and had any repeat trouble afterwards ....... excellent condition Freelander that I would prefer to hold on to if possible.

I'd say go for it, but £1000 seems very steep!!

I repaired mine for £273 inc a whole load of other parts. Guess the HG parts cost about £70 or £80.

I have used the new multi layer gasket, steel dowels and stronger oil rail. have covered 17K without any issues.

MG - Rover.Org -||- The ultimate site for MG and Rover enthusiasts! are hosting an advert by a garage chain who will repair your HGF and guarantee for 5 years. No idea of costs tho.

Independent mechanics / garages charge about £300 - £400 as its only about 4 hours work tops!!

Hope you get it sorted mate.

Regards,

Steve

is it a K1.8 or a KV6 (2.5)?
Although a new style gasket AND new oil rail is considerably better than the old system, repeat HGF has been known. The best that can be said is that it is likely to reduce the likelihood of repeat HGF. A grand sounds a bit steep, but if that includes a head skim, crack detection, the new oil rail and some form of warranty then it might be worth it. My KV6 came to about £1800 in all.

MHM, if they already have it stripped down, well worth getting those bits changed. Could save a lot of cost and time at a later date

the Q is....
what injun is it?
why is the injun being stripped?
is this a grand ON TOP of other charges?
yup - it could save a lot of cost and time later - and then again it might go again in 3 months. It HAS been known! even on the later MLS and rail.

MHM - I agree,

We dont know what engine for sure....

but I would like to ask how bad is the current one is. If its been driven with a HGF and overheated, then it may not be repairable. Worth stripping down to look in either case.

Regards,

Steve

its a 2.5 V6 engine, hasnt overheated and apart from the slight loss of water it seems to be ok - rung a local garage and was told that it would cost approx a grand, and would take 3-4 days to do????? I don't really know too much about the subject hence the cry for help!!!

Cheers

Here's one I cant seem to find the answer to.Through all the revisions and different owners of LandRover did the HG issue ever get sorted out in production on the 1.8K and if so from what year ? It appears that only the pre face lift cars have problems i.e 2004, from what I can read ont tinterweb ?

woll said:

its a 2.5 V6 engine, hasnt overheated and apart from the slight loss of water it seems to be ok - rung a local garage and was told that it would cost approx a grand, and would take 3-4 days to do????? I don't really know too much about the subject hence the cry for help!!!

Cheers

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I've not worked on this engine at all, so can't be more helpful. They are used in the Rover 800/75 range, so if the engine is beyond repair, you could source a second hand unit from an MOT failure or accident damaged vehicle.

Other option is to buy a reconditioned unit and fit if you plan to keep your vehicle for another 80,000.

Somebody else will be able to assist you further on these forums.

Regards,

Steve

Knobbly said:

Here's one I cant seem to find the answer to.Through all the revisions and different owners of LandRover did the HG issue ever get sorted out in production on the 1.8K and if so from what year ? It appears that only the pre face lift cars have problems i.e 2004, from what I can read ont tinterweb ?

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It was changed. I thought from 2005, but may have been a year earlier.

Regards,

Steve

woll said:

its a 2.5 V6 engine, hasnt overheated and apart from the slight loss of water it seems to be ok - rung a local garage and was told that it would cost approx a grand, and would take 3-4 days to do????? I don't really know too much about the subject hence the cry for help!!!

Cheers

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A grand aint too bad fur a kv6, but the liners MUST be checked, the heads must be crack detected and skimmed if warped. As i sed before - it cost me (well the insurance co) £1800. used the latest gaskets and 2 weeks later, it was bubbling again in header tank. This was 2 years after, guess what - HGF!
if yu decide to get it fixed, my recomendation is to get shot ASAP.

Knobbly said:

Here's one I cant seem to find the answer to.Through all the revisions and different owners of LandRover did the HG issue ever get sorted out in production on the 1.8K and if so from what year ? It appears that only the pre face lift cars have problems i.e 2004, from what I can read ont tinterweb ?

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sort of - an MLS (multi layer) gasket was fitted and the oil rail beefed up. But it hasnt been 100% successful - its just better.

The Mad Hat Man said:

- it cost me (well the insurance co) £1800.

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feckinell thats gone down since last time i heard it mentioned !

thats just the HGF, mondo

The Mad Hat Man said:

thats just the HGF, mondo

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Ooops!

Is the head gasket actually gone ? What are the symtoms you have got ? Mine was using water and it turned out to be the thermostat housing and/or water pump 'o' rings. ( I temporarily fixed it with rad weld as I was going on holiday to france the next week and over a year later I haven't got round to fixing it properly yet)

A grand???!!! Feck me! Are they gonna replace it with a gold plated HG???? 200 max labor and 100 for part max. Even if needs skimming that should only be another 250 max so you should be looking around the 500 mark. Shop around!!

iss an injun out job fur the V6. an at £60-85 an hour...........

Hi,
am inclined to agree with other postings 1k for this work is over the top. Had mine done with multilayer gasket, timing belt and tensioner, new steel dowels which come as part of the kit, and full engine service,- all for £400. Have covered 16000 miles since without problems. And my motor doesnt have it easy, as it has to tow a fully laden horsebox ferrying my daughter to shows. good luck Wayne

ive now had two quotes for this work both of them came in about a grand where did u get yours done so cheap