Freelander V6 Head Gasket Coolant Leak

All

Our Freelander is 2003, 65K miles.

My mechanic believes my head gasket has gone. He reports milky oil and I have seen some of the so called mayonaise build up under the oil filler cap.

I am loosing about 2 pints of coolant every 20 miles and there are no signs of leaks around thermostat housing or in the

I will have him check the coolant pump as it sounds like that might also contribute to a hidden leak.

The mechanic appears to be very good and they work on many on Land Rovers as well as other imports.

Assuming it is the Head Gasket:

1. Is $1500 a fair price for changing gasket on both banks of the V6 including machining if necessary?

2. I have read that there is a need to check liner clearance vs top of engine; does that apply to the V6 as well?

3. What other PM tasks should I roll into this job given the access etc. Assume timing belt and water pump? (what is reasonable incremental cost for this?)

Thanks in advance
R

2 pints to 20 miles is a lot to lose into the oil especially if the oil level is'nt increasing? What colour is the oil? If that much was going into the cylinders then I'd expect to see the water system over pressurized. The head gaskets have been known to fail but from what seen there is normally something else that has allowed the water level to drop enough for the system to air lock. $1500 sounds about rite for the job as long as it's done correctly. Oh and the liner hights do need checking too.

It could be the inlet manifold gasket that is leaking water into the chambers

bruno1926 said:

It could be the inlet manifold gasket that is leaking water into the chambers

Click to expand...

The V6 is'nt prone to that like the K4.