Freelander 1 V6 Coolant Problem

So the newly acquired silver V6 with 'cooling problems' has now been looked over.
Firstly, the remote was missing so programmed up a spare to operate.

Removed engine air cleaner cover and ran it up to temperature with Coolant reservoir full.
Strong smell of anti freeze everywhere. Good me thinks, probs not head gasket!
Bright Led torch into engine v. Pools of anti freeze. Mopped out with small sponge on stick. Looks to be thermostat o ring weeping.

So, quick look through receipts that came with car. Thermostat and seals were replaced in May 18.
Also, many signs of 'butchering'... Hose clips missing, fuel pipe cut and joined with jubilee clips, engine cover rear mounting rail hanging loose, vacuum pipes cut and joined.... Badly.

Doesn't look to have been a professional job. I may revisit the local garage that did the work but I doubt they would be interested after 18 months.

Looks like a load of stuff to remove to get at thermostat. The search doesn't work in LZ at present. Can anyone point me please??

Lovely car apart from the leak.

The thermostat is a 2 to 3 hour job, providing it all comes apart ok. It's common for the O rings to leak over time, or get nicked when fitted, allowing them to leak coolant into the V. I hate it when jobs aren't done correctly, as there's no excuse take shortcuts.

For instance, the fuel line uses a quick coupler, so why cut a high pressure pipe? Post pictures of your problem areas, as I have a few KV6 parts that I can send your way.

Will do thanks. Such a shame when jobs are bodged. The rear loom and engine cover bracket are just flapping in the wind! Recent experience has reduced my faith in garages (even more!!), and makes me wonder why the po didn't look under the bonnet after the job.

I see some say the thermostat can be extracted by only removing throttle body and battery. Worth a go or not!?

andyfreelandy said:

I see some say the thermostat can be extracted by only removing throttle body and battery. Worth a go or not!?

Click to expand...

It is possible to get to it from each end of the intake manifolds. However space is restricted and if there's a problem, you end up taking the manifolds off anyway. I've done it from the ends, but it's far from straightforward. It's easier to just remove the intake manifolds and fuel rails, as access to the thermostat is unrestricted, so the chances of damaging the O rings is reduced.

I've loads of pictures of the KV6 in various states of disassembly.