G

Groaning Hippo

Member
Evening all
I was wondering how many people are driving the 1.8 k series petrol Hippo. Despite the head gasket problems I was wondering if it would be worth getting a well maintained one where the head gasket had been done. Prices seem so low I am very tempted to take a chance. Thanks Mark
 
If it's not been overheated and the head is hard, then there's no reason why it shouldn't be a reliable Freelander. It does need the HG repair to be done correctly. It needs careful measurement, the correct gasket and other preventative measures, like the PRT. After this treatment, the HG should last the life of the vehicle;)
 
Only buy one if your prepared to do the HG yourself sometime in the future. I bought an 04 K series a couple of years ago. It came with full MOT but no history so I factored a new HG into the price I paid. It failed three months later.
 
I drive one - love it! I bought mine as a non-runner. Cambelt failure of sorts. Yes I did the HG and quite a few other bits 'n bobs too.
An easy motor to work on, parts are plentiful and reasonably cheap too. Rides nicely on the road, fairly quiet, and not to hungry on fuel - I consistently get 30+ mpg. That could be down to my light foot and the motor tweeks I've done. Off road I still happy with it. No low range is a bind but it is capable. Not known for a power / performance. But overall - pretty good.

Key things: keep a watchful eye on coolant level, check out the transmission set up carefully - prop shaft still in place? matching set of tyres & evenly inflated [ if not a new set then a new pair of tyres get fitted to the rear].

Value for money is good but you do need to be aware of: potential HG failure, do the one wheel up test for the VCU stiffened VCU = replacement recommended or make FWD & if keeping it 4WD = matching tyres.
I've a thread on mine and what I've done to it - see this link
 
Well I bought another one.
2001 1.8 petrol
Owned by a Land Rover mechanic.
Has just replaced all the brake pipes, 2 tyres, timing belt, water pump, new stronger head gasket. Head skim
New cylinder head bolts. New stereo.
£900.....dead excited.
 
I am getting a local guy with a transporter to collect it for me in a weeks time.

I will check the tyres and if the new ones are on the front I will switch them to
the rear. May even buy two new ones with matching tread for the front.

However I suspect that the wife's tolerance to my hippo related spending spree is fast evaporating
And any new parts may have to wait until after Christmas.
 
Ah yes I forgot to mention that - hippo ownership and the wife's increasing impatience on vehicle expenditure! :rolleyes:
 
my wife drives a 1998 1800 and yes the head gasket has been done and it fly's through the mot with no advisories.
 
I should have mentioned earlier, I had two K series petrol Freelanders and loved them both.
 
I have two 2005 1.8 K series 3 door hippos and they are good uns. Prior to this my wife had a 1.4 K series Rover 45 and that was a good un. Just check the H2O regularly and at the first sign of a problem SORT IT. All 3 of these cars had their head gaskets etc changed when they where bought and they have all been OK. Don't be put off by scaremongering re head gasket issues because the only drawback to a K series engine is the fact that the volume of coolant is relatively small and therefore it doesn't need to lose too much before overheating is an issue. Check the H2O level regularly - I do it about once a month.
 
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