niccage

Lost clamping load in the head gasket area due to a weaker oil rail that the head bolts screw in to. To fix this and fix it once and correctly, renew the head gasket + renew the oil rail to the most recent uprated one, + use Hylomar sealant, 2 coats on each of the following (engine block facing, shim both sides, new head gasket both sides, nothing on the cylinder head facing). The uprated oil rail is the stronger one. I videoed this project on my 1.8 Freelander (2000 model). Here's the link to my video, http://youtu.be/BbVNPNzcx6M

I believe that coolant is slowly seeping from the head gasket due to lost torque of the original cylinder head bolts, this used to be a problem on some 1.8 Freelanders. It's difficult to see coolant disappear as it can simply burn off as it drips or flows down the exterior of the engine block while it runs. Overheating is usually another sign. In 2005, Land Rover released an uprated oil rail for the 1.8 Freelander which is stronger than the original (the head bolts screw in to the oil rail). So to do this job correctly, I would recommend you renew the head gasket + renew the oil rail to the uprated + use Hylomar sealant, 2 coats each, on each of the following (engine block facing, both sides shim, both sides new head gasket). I videoed this project, here it is. http://youtu.be/BbVNPNzcx6M

Coolant, I believe, is most likely leaking at the head gasket area due to lost torque from the original cylinder head bolts. This is where you get the overheating and where coolant creeps out of, very difficult to spot at times since it runs along the exterior of the engine block thus usually burnt off by hot engine. Land Rover addressed this issue by releasing an uprated oil rail in 2005, specifically for the 1.8 Freelander. To do this correctly and to do it first time, renew the head gasket + renew the oil rail + use Hylomar sealant for head gasket (use 2x coats on each of the following, both sides engine block face, both sides shim, both sides new head gasket, nil for the cylinder head). I videoed this project, since which, my Freelander has never run more quietly and smoothly and no more temperature needle creeping past the half way mark and importantly, no more coolant loss. Here's my video link: http://youtu.be/BbVNPNzcx6M