Newbie with Flander 1.8 with issues

This is my first visit to the site so Hi from the Newbie.
Recently bought a 52 plate Freelander Serengeti 1.8 with less than 70k and full history. The garage said they had changed the head gasket to the metal type whilst it was being serviced as they are prone to gasket probs with the standard paper version??
All going well until today when the car died on a motorway slip road - i thought the timing belt had gone but on opening the bonnet there aws no sign of damage but the water expansion tank was perilously low. After allowing the car to cool down and filling up with copious quantities of water, the car started again and seems to drive OK but tickover is very lumpy and the car just doesnt sound right. There appears to be no oil in the water nor does there appear to be water in the oil and the dipstick still looks relatively clean and normal. I can also find no evidence of leaks etc.
Any clues so I can make a decision on repairing or just replacing it before spending a shed load of dosh on it?
Thanks in anticipation.............................

How recently did you buy it? Did it come with any sort of warranty so you have recourse with the garage you bought it from?

search for the "crock of ****" thread and good luck.

The Mad Hat Man said:

search for the "crock of ****" thread and good luck.

Click to expand...

I knew I'd seen that thread you wrote somewhere before!!!!

Unfortunately out of warranty now so am thinking a head gasket prob may be looming - time for a change I think !!!

Did they check the liner height when doing the head gasket as they're known to slip sometimes rendering the block scrap. Check the simple stuff first like thermostat, water pump & radiator leaks etc.

Difficult and sometimes wrong to diagnose from afar, but Sounds like inlet manifold is chucking water into the manifold/ intake, there should be the number LKJ101110L in the service log
, check spark plugs for white crust

apart from that you'll have to check the usual suspects, spark, fuel, timing marks before launching into major diagnosis


Mad Hatters meant crock of gold

Thanks for the pointers. Going into the garage for some diagnostics tomorrow and depending on what they say, it could be time for a quick change......