Yet another HGF thread...

[cobnut]

We recently bought a FL1 1.8 GS - almost by accident as it happens - and have been really quite pleased with it. However on Saturday we got steam and loss of water and all the other symptoms. From reading this board, I'm not sure if I'm consoled that a head gasket failure is so common or disturbed at the stories of it being very common and occasionally indicating other problems.

My question are these: is a replacement of the HG possible DIY? I'm a reasonably competent mechanic and have done HGs at least twice (on MGBs) so am aware of the normal problems/gotchas.

If it's NOT possible (or recommended) for DIY, will an 'ordinary' mechanic be able to do the job or should it be someone with specific experience of FLs?

Finally, I'm terribly confused about the engines - it seems to me that there was a change in the 1.8 from the one that kept cracking the head to one that didn't. Is there a simple way to tell what type I've got?

Thanks!

Jon

 

[Optimus Prime]

very common failure point, but replacement should be well within the scope of a competent home mechanic.

there is a later type of head gasket which is much less prone to failure, along with revised metal dowels to replace the plastic ones etc.

do a search on here and there is LOADS of information about it, including possible pitfalls and so on

Good Luck

 

[andytd4auto]

snigger

 

[Northern Irelander]

its straight forward, but do read into the procedure before you set about the task.

There are some dos and donts, eg once the head comes off, the crank nut can not be rotated, there are various locking tools for the flywheel, and twin cams.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/k-series-head-bolts-hgf-tool-info-48856.html


Its a marvel to drive and to work on in the FL engine bay,

New 1.8 are the same engine but uses coil packs MEMS 3, ECU, older one uses dizzy cap, MEMS 1.9 ECU



Any queries just ask in this thread.

 

[cobnut]

Thanks guys, sounds like I should be gearing up to tackle it meself then. I probably wouldn't even consider it if it weren't for the fact that there is so much room in there - it reminds me of an MGB bay!

Right, off to do some searching for guides, etc...

(later)

Just found this guy on eBay - this sounds too good to be true, although his feedback is excellent. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge/advice about this service?

Jon

 

[Dutch RR]

New Gaskit (with shim) Advise you change oil rail to latter type, new head bolts as well, cost me about 130 Euro, and one weekend, would also advise the revised thermostat relocation kit (moving thermostat from rear to front)
N/Is more than correct about NOT rotating the crank, have fun

Cheers Dutch RR

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

it has been covered ad nausiam on here if you search - even in the Q's ans A's bit I think.

 

[Northern Irelander]

No here:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/freelander-1-8-k-series-hgf-more-data-36863.html?highlight=1.8+data

 

[aussielander]

4 hours is a good time considering he is mobile. too good??