F

Freelander01

New Member
Just bought a 01 Freelander 1.8 Petrol with suspected head gasket failure, mayonaise oil, not starting, blue smoke when starting, everything else is fine, new clutch, water pump, cam belt recently, now i just need a heads up on the HG replacement, gonna do it myself with a mechanic friend, dealer guy says there is an uprated gasket with shims (sounds scary), she's not overheating so probably no need for thermostat replacement, new water bottle cap? basically i would like to hear from a HG replacement success story for a 01 or close
 
Heres one from a 1999, mine had all the symptoms yours has.
get the MLS gasket and metal dowels.Multi layered steel, it's not scary.
Change the thermostat just to be on the safe side, pennies.
Have the head pressure tested and skimmed.
replace timing belt whilst it's off.
flush through the cooling system and oil replace oil/filter.
Keep a close eye on levels.
Some time after he oil light came on this turned out to be the oil pressure switch they can leak through the centre where it plugs in.

Oh I used new head bolts and didn't bother with the upratd oil rail.
 
Last edited:
Excellent, thanks, the flushing of the cooling system is there an additive to be used for this or just jugs of water?, did you replace the oil switch? excuse all the questions I only want to get it right once, the first time
 
I used.....wait for it........cheap dishwasher tabs no kidding
But i had them in for a long time before the head went completely, your best off using a proper flushing agent then dumping it out shortly after if it's already gone.
I did replace the oil switch, after i'd used a crankcase cleaner (flush) and changed the oil filter again!!!
They're are two types of switch mine was the m12 not the 5/16 taper thread.
Hope this helps
Mick

Oh if your cam belt is relatively new, like mine was, don't bother changing it.
I also fitted a new expansion tank cap.
One or two other bits to fit in the future are remote thermostat (yours may have this already) and uprated expansion tank. These alleviate the head gasket problem but do not rule it out. Sad but true.
An excellent engine but prone to certain problems.
 
Last edited:
Hoyt-Protec said:
Heres one from a 1999, mine had all the symptoms yours has.
get the MLS gasket and metal dowels.Multi layered steel, it's not scary.
Change the thermostat just to be on the safe side, pennies.
Have the head pressure tested and skimmed.
replace timing belt whilst it's off.
flush through the cooling system and oil replace oil/filter.
Keep a close eye on levels.
Some time after he oil light came on this turned out to be the oil pressure switch they can leak through the centre where it plugs in.

Oh I used new head bolts and didn't bother with the upratd oil rail.
Click to expand...

Did the same but on a 1999 MGF VVC but in my case I didnt bother with a head skim as the engine had not overheated and when tested with a steel straight edge it was fine :)

4 years and 20k on with good use of maxium revs ;) and it was running fine
 
Mine dint over heat but the head was like a banana (according to the guy who skimmed it) Some people are frightened of this engine, if its done right and treated right, it'll give good service.
And it loves to be revved when it's been warmed up carefully.
 
Thanks Mick for the help, is there only one type of gasket made for landrover for the freelander, i did some research and one bloke swore by a brand named Payen says they were the only one that worked, i don't know if Landrover endorse these or not, as for the rest of you this is my thread you wanna play on my thread you play fair, ye hear
 
We don't own threads' as i've found out, but we all like to play. And why not.

If I can pass on my hard earned knowledge I will do gladly and I appreciate your thanks.

I used the Payen gasket as i'd heard it was the best available, make sure you get the shim the right way up. While the heads off check the liner height, mine was a gnats proud so I took this to be ok. Be very carefull to bleed the cooling system and don't over tighten the expansion tank cap, I did and it threw all the coolant out I thought i'd blown the head again:eek:

Any more q's i'm on standby, there are a lot more knowledgable guys on here as well.
Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

xDParis64
Head Gasket / Cylinder Gone??
Replies
16
Views
1K
andyfreelandy
andyfreelandy
xDParis64
Hello Again! (SOLVED, Engine replacement)
2 3
Replies
56
Views
3K
xDParis64
xDParis64
thefrog
The dreaded head gasket
Replies
15
Views
2K
thefrog
thefrog
R
L322 Head Gaskets
Replies
8
Views
813
rich28uk
rich28uk
Padda.116
300tdi disco 1, new head gasket oil leak!!
Replies
10
Views
410
Padda.116
Padda.116