viorelluta Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Hi All, Yes we do have Feeelanders here in Romania, and yes - the 1,8 K engine has the same HGF problem. I have read most of the messages posted on related topics, and I would like to ask you: After the introduction of the "latest" head gasket (the multi-layered one), was the failure rate decresing or not?? My story, shortly: I have bought (early 2007) an used Freelander 1,8i, from the BMW official importer in Romania (they sell both used and new LRs). The car was manufactured in 2003, having only 53,000 km (about 36k miles). Unlike in UK, the used Freelanders are expensive here, and most people are not aware about the problems they have. Anyway, in December 07, at 62k km, the head gasket blown. Fortunately it happened near to my home and not in the middle of nowhere (I use to go fishing with this car...) so it was not that expensive to carry the car to service. The service replaced the gasket with the multilayered one, and of course some other parts (water pump, thermostat etc). I spent a lot of money (of course all parts cost triple here). Anyway, I don't know what to do: to keep the car for some 1-2 years (the service guys told me that the HGF will not appear again before another 60-80k km), or to sell it as soon as possible? This depends on your feedback, please let me know if there are any relevant data (or if you have experienced it before...) about the efficiency of the latest HG model. Thank you Viorel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 All the info I've seen is that the updated HG and stiffener that bolts in the sump pretty much solve the problem. I'd just keep it, as long as you keep an eye on it you can avoid another HGF doing major damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viorelluta Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 All the info I've seen is that the updated HG and stiffener that bolts in the sump pretty much solve the problem. I'd just keep it, as long as you keep an eye on it you can avoid another HGF doing major damage. I have asked them if they've replaced/modified anything else "inside" the engine, but except for the gasket (which they confirmed is the multilayer type) they have not, nor they heard about the "new bolts", or the steel dowels, or the lower rail. I can just hope that "pretty much" = "until I'll sell the car" How it happened to me: I was driving home from work and I noticed that the heating did not work (outside temp was minus 7-8 degrees Celsius). I thought the heating is broken somehow. THE ENGINE TEMP INDICATOR WAS AT "NORMAL" (mid range) ALL THE TIME. After 2-3 miles the engine started "coughing" and it stopped 5 minutes later (fortunately I was home). Then I saw no cooling liquid at all in the expansion bowl, and the oil was like mayo... So it happened with no previous signs... Thank you Viorel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 If they didn't do the rest of the work (new dowels etc.) then they have not done it properly, I would complain and either demand they put it right or ask for some money back. The engines are used in Lotus & Caterham and on their forums they all use the Land Rover upgraded parts on their cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 My daily driver for the last 4 years is a 1.8 rover 25 (same engine). I've done nearly 50000 miles in it and the headgeasket went about 20000 ago. I simply replaced it and I've had no further problems. I didnt change the ladder frame in the sump as it wasnt available at the time. 2003 model cars should have had the steel dowels anyway as these became standard from about 2001 onwards. You do NOT need to change the head bolts as a matter of course. There is a procedure in the manual for checking the bolts that should be followed and then they only need replacing if they fail this test. There is a modification on the freelanders that moves the thermostat to the other side of the engine. This should have been carried out to your car. There is a landrover technical bulletin that covers this and the modified parts kit is available from landrover. HTH Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viorelluta Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thank you all! I will keep the car until next serious problem. I have programmed a drive test with Freelander 2, though. Here the cheapest LRF 2 is 31k Euros (diesel, no Terrain Response, all taxes included). For the next level you have to pay about 35k. How much is in UK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disco_al Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 there should have been a shim that fits between the head and the gasket as well. it's included in all the uprated kits we sell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I'm right in the middle of doing the head gasket on a 1.8i Freelander and I can confirm that apart from Land Rover parts suppliers, you only get an MLS gasket, the shim to prevent fire ring indentation of the head face, and two steel dowels. Will post a picture later today of what you get. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david1701 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 my sister drives an 01 freelander would this have the reinforced dowels? cars should have had the steel dowels anyway as these became standard from about 2001 onwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 This is the minimum you should have had fitted - MLS head gasket, 2 x steel dowels, and the shim steel insert to prevent fire ring penetration of the head. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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