Steam Powered Freelander

Hello Folks, its been a long time since I have been on here so that meant the Freelander was doing ok. Different story now. Have just driven it from Scotland to Plymouth and Santander to the South of Spain with no problems at all. Second day in Spain it started playing up.
The car is a 51 plate 1.8 GS station wagon.
Last August had the head gasket done (as everyone else has) told head did not need skimmed. So for year all ok.
After run to Spain went a couple of short runs next day, still ok. Mid afternoon went to start it and felt like starter motor was sticking. Got it going and after about half mile engine management light came on. Back home checked under bonnet. Water level down but NO water in oil. Was still driving ok but revs at tickover had dropped. Water in coolant bottle looked dirty but still no problems oil wise.
The car had just passed an MOT on 12 Aug and had a service so was ok at that time.
Took it to a local garage coz I now live over here and was told that the inner sleeve of the cylinder had shrunk and engine would have to be sent away for skimming and god knows what else. 2500 euros is the estimate.
Just read the post from paulchinsall and ambriel. Mine is pouring grey smoke and water level drops but NO mixing of oil and water. I only drive this thing I know zilch about them, so what is an MLS and am I being shafted coz I am in a foreign country..
Cheers and thanks for any help I get.
Rock
I have to use internet cafe over here just now so I may take a while to get back to you......

Possible inlet manifold gasket???

Picked up on that from Ambriels thread.. Not sure how to go about getting it checked out here. Garage have one thing in mind and thats rip out engine and send away. Dont think they want to go down road of looking for a simpler more economical fix. What is an MLS please????????????

Multi Layer Steel (gasket)

cheers MHM dont know what type was put on last year but was told it was New Improved Type that would not fail during life of car. (ha-bloody-ha)

yu can tell - there is a tab which stick out somewhere on the MLS that int on the std one - burri dont know where. Maybe a trip to a stealer to ask/look?

the MLS gasket is not the only criteria tho - as mentioned, several checks have to be carried out at the same time.

read this and this.


Dont forget - if the oil rail hasnt been changed - LR consider that it has no warranty.

rock said:

Not sure how to go about getting it checked out here.

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Remove inlet manifold (would need to be done as part of initial engine strip down/removal) and you will clearly see if coolant has been passing/leaking across gasket...any garage/competent diy should be able to spot this.

Possibly visible as coolant leak/staining below inlet manifold.

morning dopey - back agin, i see .

The Mad Hat Man said:

morning dopey - back agin, i see .

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Been too poorly to give ya ****e....but keepin peeps open

Thanks for advice folks, got the lump of potential scrap metal booked into an English garage for a look see. At least this guys going to run diagnostics etc. but I must admit I am not too hopeful after reading through the links from MHM. What you running now Daft are you still with the Japs?, coz I really think after this episode I may be going down that road myself. Just so ****ed off that I spent about a thousand quid getting it ready and bringing all the way to Spain for it to bugger up the very next day. Let you know what the English mechanic comes up with, but it won't be good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers Rock

got myself an X-Trail for the daily run around. - knocks spots off the hippo for reliability, driveability and boot room. but is a bit plasticky and that centre dash is a bit unusual.

oh - and a Disco fur fun - when it gets back on the road.