Thread: Coolant contamination

Trade it on a disco or something else before it costs you more than ya missus if ya have one

If it's a head gasket or cracked head, anyone got a ballpark figure to fix?

Unfortunately, the KV6 engine is also prone to dropping liners the same way the 4cyl version does.

I can't give you any $ figures for a head gasket set replacement but you're looking at around 10-15 hrs labour cost, that's providing nothing nasty is found once the heads are off.

PM sent.

Does it have an oil cooler like the TD5? Thats what mine did when it let go. Oil gets into the coolant but not the other way. It formed this thick grey sludge. Took ages to flush out after the cooler was replaced.

Good point...will check. I think there is a transmission cooler as well...
The sludge I have is thick and black and the coolant has turned brown.

My worst fears have been realised.
Took it to another LR specialist and they suspect head gaskets (and/or dropped liners). However, due to overheating the alloy has softened and they are not willing to go any further as they will not be able to guarantee that the head bolts will get enough tension on the soft block and it will probably fail.
They recommend an exchange engine (not recon) at around $6,500.

Is this really true? that if you overheat the engine then you have to bin it completely!

I don't know how LR can get away with selling such a bad engine! (along with the 1.8)

Just because they say it is a head gasket does not make them right either. Check out the oil cooler first.
If oil is getting into the coolant you should be using oil, are you?
You say it is running fine, if it was a cracked head it should be running rough.
Good luck.

If the cyl head gasket is broken, or a liner has moved, then one of the exhaust gas detection kits will pick it up in the water. Head gasket is relatively easy for a competent mechanic, and not much more to remill the block. I have recently had major work done on a 4pot Freelander, (which now goes and sounds wicked) and this is what i got and what it cost me.

(i slipped a timing belt after getting mud in the tensioner bearing.... )

Here it goes;
-head removed and stuff disconnected (me)
-oversize valves (500$)
-cleaned, milled, ported, polished head (1000$)
-cam grind (450$)
-gaskets, hoses, fittings etc (450$)
-Head refit and stuff reconnected (me)
-Engine tune and check (400$)
-oil, cleaner, loctite, etc (200$)

Talk to a competent engine builder not a LR mechanic and they can do alot for your $$$. If you remove the engine yourself, getting the sleeves checked and milled isnt that bad $$$ wise. Also, if you have a cracked head, wreckers are offering money to get rid of K series engines, so spares are easy.

Cheers!!