Grendel

New Member
I’m considering buying a Freelander 1.8XEi 5dr from my local mechanic for £1200 the list of work it’s had done are:

Lower mileage Rover 75 engine fitted after original went pop
New Clutch
Recent Diff & Prop
Fully serviced and 12 Mths MOT

Now I’m wandering is there any way to increase the cooling capability of the K series engine to stop it blowing again such as can you fit larger radiator or oil cooler or possibly just a bigger coolant bottle to increase fluid?

Must admit running a 4x4 is going to be new to me since always had Jap Sports cars in the past like MR2 & Impreza but time I got a more sensible car that I can used to get up farm tracks for shooting.
 
I’m considering buying a Freelander 1.8XEi 5dr from my local mechanic for £1200 the list of work it’s had done are:

Lower mileage Rover 75 engine fitted after original went pop
New Clutch
Recent Diff & Prop
Fully serviced and 12 Mths MOT

Now I’m wandering is there any way to increase the cooling capability of the K series engine to stop it blowing again such as can you fit larger radiator or oil cooler or possibly just a bigger coolant bottle to increase fluid?

Must admit running a 4x4 is going to be new to me since always had Jap Sports cars in the past like MR2 & Impreza but time I got a more sensible car that I can used to get up farm tracks for shooting.

Hi there. Don't mess with the rad as it's already far too large for the engine. The v6 uses the same rad, it dumps over twice as much heat into the rad and is still over cooled so the rad's capacity isn't the issue. It's a complex problem that sadly never really got solved. Look at the HGF sticky for more info.
 
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you could have the new thermostat housing that a inline hose as the original thermo is on the back of the engine and a devil to get to and less reliable
 
I put an electric water pump and digital controller in mine, which is a fantastic system when you get it right. But I think my engine is a bit too far gone to tell whether it would stop a new engine getting HGF.

Best to do the standard uprating mods and check the system often.
 
Put a level sensor on the coolant reservoir and a lamp/buzzer on the dash to warn you when the coolant is low.

(and fit an ewp coz the last person who tried to do this entertained us for many weeks)
 
as I have learned from this forum, there is only one mod needed for a "gaylander".

A gallon of petrol and a match. :D
 
Well it was either a Freelander or a Battered RAV4 since my budget wasn't high enough for anything else.

There is al lot that can be do to help reduce the chance of the head gasket failing. Many including me would consider changing the gasket as a service item at the same time as the cam belt. It's much better to fit a new gasket before the engine has over heated, once an overheat has occurred the head will loose much of its temper and affectively be scrap.
 

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