Power loss and now oil leak

Hi gang,
Became a member of the Freelander club at the beginning of the month (motto: never again buy a car on 1 April!) and have struck problems already. After a couple of weeks, experienced loss of power at 100kmph (c.70mph). Got it going but same thing happened again shortly after at which point the temp gauge went thru the roof; further investigation revealed an empty header tank. LD dealer recovered the vehicle and seemed to have solved the problem but after running smoothly for 2,000kms (c.1,400miles) have just discovered oil all over the engine (and yes the dipstick was properly inserted). No warning light came on and there still seems to be sufficient oil in the sump so hopefully no damage done. LD dealer is coming to check it out tomorrow but would like to be able to ask informed questions this time around to ascertain whether the two problems are related and what they should be doing about it as it is still under LD Assured Warranty. Vehicle is a 2002 Td4 with 66,000kms on the clock; really like the vehicle but patience is being sorry tested so any help would be appreciated.
Regards
BCCJ

Well a head gasket would cause both these problems but wouldn't leave oil all over the engine. You would more likely see oil down one side where oil has leaked through. Head gasket is about 1/3 to 1/4 down from the top of the engine where the head meets the block. TD4's tend to be a dam good engine though, rarely blowing HG's. Not unheard of though.
I hope for your sake that it's not that, it's an expensive fix.

Its possible if it has overheated in the past to have caused a gasket to go , it is very unusual for H G to go on a td4 let us know wot garage says, and hope its just minor. . .

Hello,

If you look at the thread "Freelander Loss of Power- New Engine!!! " you will see about the cam cover breather which might be the problem. I wonder whether you have this problem, which causes the engine to "breathe" ,increasing the pressure in the sump, forcing the oil out of somewhere it should not go. I found that checking the oil level when the engine was warm immediately after a run, if you pulled the dip stick out the oil would be about 10cm up the dipstick. In fact once when I thought the dip stick was in but in fact only just in and not completely home, I had oil everywhere after a run. I have a Td4 2002, maybe it is your turn to have this "new" problem that a lot of people seem to have.

Hope you get it sorted. (PS I am not an expert, just a long suffering amateur!!)

Thanks for your help everyone. Having hosed the engine down, the LD mechanic phoned to say that the catch that secures the dipstick had broken off, leaving a small hole on the dipstick housing through which the oil spewed directly onto the fan and thence all over the engine. I have yet to pick the vehicle up so will get him to show me. Has anyone else come across this problem before - or know where the bit that fell off might end up? (not in the sump I hope!).

I am also concerned that the sump oil was so dirty (i.e. black) as the oil should have been changed 5,000kms ago; the mechanic said this was normal with diesels (and LD's in particular) though with the other vehicles I have owned (admittedly not diesels) the oil usually remains pretty clean for some time. Is the mechanic right or is this indicative of further problems?

Not sure what to beleive so you frank advice is appreciated!

BCCJ

yes the oil would be pitch black it gets like that fairly quickly after an oil change(deisel only) nothing to worry about

Had the same thing with a megan [dip stick broke] just bought a new one, never had a problem with the old broken part, not sure but think its in a safe sleeve and so cannot get to the engine, as for the oil i change mine every year plus new filter this is the one pain with diesels [regular oil change] the best thing to keep ya engine tip top. . .