Hi guys, the headgasket went on my 1.8 k series freelander for the second time the other week so i changed the headgasket head skimmed new mlr gasket and shim and all that..

But when i went to start it the water goes round but the top rad pipe just filled with air to a point it looked like it was going to burst if i remove the filler cap it goes away and eventually after 10 minutes or so the water would just boil over the top.

After about 30 more attemps at bleeding the system and a new thermostat the head gasket started leaking water again after a 15 minute run.

So im fitting a new head gasket again today but i feel that the problem will still be there does anyone have any idea why the pipes would be filling with air? first its the top rad pipe then the rest i bled the system properly cleaned out all the pipes i could get to made sure the valve in the inlet manifold was not blocked flushed the rad..

Any help or ideas would be great as i don't want to give up and sell it broken.

Thanks, Ethan

Also is there any checks i can do while the engine is in bits to make sure its not just completly buggered to save me spending £40 on a new HG.

Thanks

have you followed the convoluted and complicated bleeding procedure as defined in Q's and A's - or the Rave?

Hi, no i didn't ive just had a look for the bleeding guide but cant find it could you post me the link up please?

The way i bled it was the haynes manual way unscrew the bolt at the side of the engine and untighten the heater hose bleed screw an fill until water comes out of the bolt hole put the bolt back then wait for water to come out of the heater hose bleed valve then tighten that back up.. i did that atleast 30 times with no luck allways the same the rad pipes where full of air and white smoke/steam coming from the exhuast after around 5-8 minutes of running.

try here - or here

Thanks, ive fitted the new HG now and bled it and it seemed better the pipes still filled wth some air but not as bad as before the heaters are all working ok all pipes get hot so il see how it goes... it does take a few turns to start though it seems to be starting better after a couple of trips to the shops is rough starting normal after a new headgasket on the 1.8 k series?

Thanks alot.

sounds like it was either headgasket fault the first time or you have a cracked head, has the engine been over heated?

Yea it got very hot there was a fualt with the gasket in the end it was thinner and out of shape one side not by much but it was leaking at that section so i guess it was enough ive changed it now and it seems fine its just the struggling to start i need to sort now.