HEAD GASKET
- Thread starter mpmitch
- Start date
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potus
Well-Known Member
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- 2,155
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- South Devon
Head gasket failure on the 1.8 petrol.......Not sure it ever got sorted
Nodge68
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- Near Newquay
The HG problem was first addressed by LR in around 2002 or 2003. There are now a few improvements that can by applied to the 1.8 K series to prevent the HG failing again.
Did LR put it right on the early models
teddywood1
Well-Known Member
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- 5,558
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- stoke-on-trent
i do not think they ever put it right as that k series engine was a problem from the start even in the lotus but now better head gaskets are about also it is better to have the head skimmed to rule out any warping .
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- Embasinga stocæ
there are recommended procedures to follow, particularly with clamping the cylinder liners.
davidsmith1307
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- 1,333
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- Hull
Better gasket, uprated oil rail, better bolts, PRT stat, metal dowels, crossed fingers.
It's not worth skimming the head if it has gone soft.
It's not worth skimming the head if it has gone soft.
Alibro
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- Northern Ireland
Around 20 years ago (the problem was known long before LR used the engine) and it didn't.
Expect 40k to 60k between failures if the work is done well with good quality components. Done badly or on the cheap and you'd be lucky to get 10k.
In counter point to Ali's comment: my MG is at 115k Miles and counting without HGF, so nothing is ever that certain. 
Plenty of theories on cause of HGF. From Powertrain themselves, they recognised that the bypass circuit was prone to collapse (rubber hoses) at high rpm when the thermostat is shut (I.e. Engine cold). The solution was the Pressure Relief Thermostat (PRT).
For the N-series, a re-engineered head gasket, strengthened block and a revised cylinder head, plus earlier cooling miss appear to have resolved the problem.
I've just rebuilt the top end of my 2001 'Y' Freelander 1.8. I don't expect to be replacing the gasket again!
Plenty of theories on cause of HGF. From Powertrain themselves, they recognised that the bypass circuit was prone to collapse (rubber hoses) at high rpm when the thermostat is shut (I.e. Engine cold). The solution was the Pressure Relief Thermostat (PRT).
For the N-series, a re-engineered head gasket, strengthened block and a revised cylinder head, plus earlier cooling miss appear to have resolved the problem.
I've just rebuilt the top end of my 2001 'Y' Freelander 1.8. I don't expect to be replacing the gasket again!
Alibro
Well-Known Member
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- 7,028
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- Northern Ireland
Agreed Rob, some K series going for 100k and more without failure but my experience of them is not so good. My MGF with a new short engine from a dealer (thankfully not at my expense) failed at around 25k. My Freelander with 108k failed and the HG had been changed a few years before. From what I've read both here and in the MG forums a HG lasting 60-80k is good and 40k or less not unusual. Much less is common with cheapo kits off ebay or poor workmanship.In counter point to Ali's comment: my MG is at 115k Miles and counting without HGF, so nothing is ever that certain.
Plenty of theories on cause of HGF. From Powertrain themselves, they recognised that the bypass circuit was prone to collapse (rubber hoses) at high rpm when the thermostat is shut (I.e. Engine cold). The solution was the Pressure Relief Thermostat (PRT).
For the N-series, a re-engineered head gasket, strengthened block and a revised cylinder head, plus earlier cooling miss appear to have resolved the problem.
I've just rebuilt the top end of my 2001 'Y' Freelander 1.8. I don't expect to be replacing the gasket again!
Neither car had overheating or water loss, they had mayo in the oil which I found early.
