99 Vogue 4.6 head gasket

Hi all

Firstly quick intro, a Range Rover newb here, Vinny! New to the forums too. looking for some advice...

I'm after a decent but reasonably priced 4.6HSE or Vogue. Today I came across a reasonably priced Vogue in very very nice condition, with all the bits Im looking for, color etc. Runs however seems the head gasket has failed.
How much of a risk is it to by a RR with a HG failure? Whats the likely cost to repair?
Any other possible problems? Apparently the car wasnt driven but low loaded home after the problem occurred, but well it could have overheated, so is it just too bigger risk? It's good money which is why im giving it some thought if its a reasonable and cost effective repair...


Thanks

Vinny

And it might be the liner issue that the P38 4.6 is noted for. Cure for that is a replacement block or engine. Unfortunately the symptoms are pretty much identical.
Best to pass on this one.

short engine for above is about £1500/2000 new. so if the r.r is under a grand it worth goin for. but alot of hassel. plenty more around that are running.

it is dtressing when you fix the hg only to find its the liners!!

Thanks for the responses guys.
sounds like it could be more than a risk of just a HGF to fix... Shame cos the overall condition of the car is very nice, it runs, and everything else works.
Out of interest, what would it cost to replace the liners at the same time? Are parts still readily available? If I can get the car cheap cheap then maybe it could be worth the hassle? I have time to repair, and a little bit of cash there if I can get it for a reduced price.

Replacing the liners with the same is a no-no. There are specialists ou there who will machine your block and fit "Top Hat" liners which have a lip around the top and are kept in place by the cylinder head so they can't move-costs more than a new short engine as they replace the pistons etc. If you have a new short engine, it will pay to check the condition of the flex plate (Flywheel), rockers and shafts (Often overlooked) although very cheap to replace.Short engine comes complete with camshaft & tappets. Personally, if you were going to DIY then I would allow around £2700 all in, including hire of an engine crane.

Hmm, ok sounds like a lot of potential hassle
I'll take a wide berth then I think...

It's your cash, plenty of others out there for silly money. Paid £14K for mine about 6 years ago. Still immaculate although I had to fit a short motor about 2 yrs ago due to the "Problem", runs 100% with no faults or problems-apart from the usual niggles-be lucky to get £3K now, but there again, I'm a masochist and love a challenge!! Despite all the hassle, wouldn't change it. If they ran perfectly, there wouldn't be this forum and we would all be sitting around knitting and playing with the pet ferretts.

ive got to admit they are a love/hate machine,ive got to put a new steering box in,ive not had the block issue as of yet but i have replaced the head gaskets,but im always on the lookout on fleabay for a tophat lined block missed out on 2 of them in the last 4 months.just to keep and slowly build incase the dreaded does happen.

At least the steering boxes are more reliable than the old classics/discos. Remember that the top hat lined blocks are still old blocks at heart and you could spend quite a bit if the pistons/rings, bearings and crank, camshaft & followers etc. need replacing. As said earlier, it's your cash but pulling V8 engines out isn't like doing a service and not to be done too often unless there is no option and a once in the life of the car job-unless you are doing it for a living.

don,t get me wrong,i can get hold of all the equipent i need if i need to replace the engine,i know the tophat blocks are what they call seasoned blocks which the likes of turner engineering use,mind if i had the cash id get a coscast block,but when i saw the ones on fleabay they were removed from rear ended rr that were written of buy the insurance company,one went for £250 complete bottom half the other went for £780 and that was just the block,strange but i thought if i could get one,it could be a weekend hobby buy building it up,and use it if i need to,if not and the car went id sell it.especially now im out of work,because some days are so bloody boring,and even though im looking for a job,it gets a bit sickening,so it would take my mind of things a bit

I know where you are coming from Andy, I retired last September but luckily doing a few jobs to suit myself. Must admit that working on V8's is a dream and fulfilling, especially when you start with a sh*tty lump and eventually get it finished. Hurts the wallet though!!
Good luck

my wallet will be crying shortly,unless i can find a steering rebuild guide,found the rebuild kit,just need an idea how to take it apart and rebuild,save buying a recon or new unit

There are diagrams etc. for the box on Rave in the steering section under "Description and Operation"

just in the middle of looking at them,i went on to rangerovers but thats a classic box they have shown being rebuilt