Hey Guys,

I have a 1998 Freelander with the 1.8 K series under the bonnet. About 6 months ago, my uncle was driving it and as he pulled out from a junction, it died. It turned over but, refused to fire. To cut a long story short, mechanics looked at it and replaced ignition coil, fuel pump, dizzy etc.. etc.. to no avail. Been sitting there for months until I finally got time to look at it. I'm no mechanic but, I'm a massive engine nut and build um in me bedroom lol Diagnosed it right away, TIMING. As soon as I changed the tired looking cam-belt and timed her up again, it fires up.

Now.. it runs and turns over on the button. But... She doesn't run very nicely. I would say you could call it lumpy but, it does splutter due to the knackered exhaust so it's hard to tell. Lets just say it doesn't sound "right".

the most distinctive fault I can see is, exhaust gases are pouring out the oil cap and "Pushed" out the throttle body. After standing over the engine for about a minute you really feel like your ganna croak from carbon monoxide inhalation.



I've already taken the entire intake apart and changed the inlet gasket. Because of all this Blow-by I thought the inlet would be gunked up with oil but, it wasnt! So... what could it be?

- Head Gasket? - I guess it could go into the oil from there BUT these gases come out the filler cap immediately! no delay what so ever.
- Piston rings? - As before, this smoke it coming our immediately. wouldn't have time to circulate from the bottom to the top so quickly, right?
- Bent Ex Valve? - (See Compression results below)... Makes sense to me in theory...
- Stuck EGR? - Does this motor even have one? If so, where?
- Cracked Head? - Maybe.........
- Stem seals? - Would have to of REALLY failed to be that...

[ Compression results:]

Cylinder 1: 14 Bar
Cylinder 2: 13 Bar
Cylinder 3: 12.5 Bar
Cylinder 4: 11 Bar

ANY ideas and/or advice VERY much appreciated! I'm stuck what to do next Do I go ahead and pull the head off? All this smoke CAN'T be normal right?

Kindest regards,

Daz (From London)

bit of a long shot but it happend to me once ! a baffel in the silencer broke off & blocked the exit hole inside the silencer & caused a simlar problem. Worth a check !

Head gasket blown, they don't always blow into the coolant system.

Is the inlet cam timed correctly? The markings on the pulleys are never spot on. If the inlet cam timing is retarded you will get air and atomized fuel pushed out ports into the inlet manifold. From there it will be pushed into the cam cover via the breather pipe and out the filler cap. It looks like fuel vapour to me.

Or cylinder No:3 and 4 have bent inlet valves. This would also push fuel vapour out the breather into the cam cover. It would also account for the lower compression on those 2 cylinders.

Alot of great feedback, thanks guys!

If the marks are not accurate, how would I check if the Cams are timed correctly without using the timing marks on the cam gears?

Head Gasket wise, how would it of failed? I understand that it might be but trying to get my head around it. Doesn't add up in my head, not a usual symptom..

Daz

DazH90 said:

Alot of great feedback, thanks guys!

If the marks are not accurate, how would I check if the Cams are timed correctly without using the timing marks on the cam gears?

Head Gasket wise, how would it of failed? I understand that it might be but trying to get my head around it. Doesn't add up in my head, not a usual symptom..

Daz

Click to expand...

It's unlikely to be the HG. The waterways are between the cylinders and the oil drain holes. My best guess is a valve related issue.
The cam pulleys are often marked up to half a tooth out so making timing the cams interesting!!

Nodge68 said:

It's unlikely to be the HG. The waterways are between the cylinders and the oil drain holes. My best guess is a valve related issue.
The cam pulleys are often marked up to half a tooth out so making timing the cams interesting!!

Click to expand...

Hahaha that post made me smile, "Interesting" eh? :Oooo what have I got myself into?

I'm doubting a HGF too, just doesn't add up..

Would a 'Half-tooth' retard/advance cause this level of blow-by?

Can't see any other way exhaust gasses can enter the crankcase or rocker cover unless the head has cracked or the gasket has failed. Valve failure would normally be accompanied by a misfire or loss of power.

DazH90 said:

Hahaha that post made me smile, "Interesting" eh? :Oooo what have I got myself into?

I'm doubting a HGF too, just doesn't add up..

Would a 'Half-tooth' retard/advance cause this level of blow-by?

Click to expand...

Half a tooth is'nt much. It's around 4° iirc. I'm thinking bent valves in cylinders 3 and 4.
Why did you change the belt? Had it snapped? If so valve contact is very likely.

Nodge68 said:

Half a tooth is'nt much. It's around 4° iirc. I'm thinking bent valves in cylinders 3 and 4.
Why did you change the belt? Had it snapped? If so valve contact is very likely.

Click to expand...

It wouldn't fire up. It turned over but refused to hold idle at all.

The belt didn't snap but it was in REALLY bad condition. The timing it was in seemed "Okay" but it had to of slipped otherwise, WHY would by me changing it solve the issue?

I'm thinking bent valve too right now .... Might pull the head.

DazH90 said:

It wouldn't fire up. It turned over but refused to hold idle at all.

The belt didn't snap but it was in REALLY bad condition. The timing it was in seemed "Okay" but it had to of slipped otherwise, WHY would by me changing it solve the issue?

I'm thinking bent valve too right now .... Might pull the head.

Click to expand...

I'd be taking of the inlet manifold as I could feel if any compression is leaking out the inlet ports during cranking before removing the head.

Could it be as simple as carbon build up on the exhaust valve seats?