Thread: Freelander L-series - cylinder block cracked?

Hi all,
I am a new member from Portugal, I hope to learn a lot with you guys.
I have a Freelander 99 l-series, 173000Km on clock.
The engine had coolant on oil (mayo on oil cap) and some black smoke on exaust, so I decided to remove the head to see what is going there.
The headgasket looked ok, valves needed new seats, new guides, new tappets. I think somewhere in the past this engine broke the timming belt, because I see valve marks on piston heads, and a tappet deformed.
Well, all was replaced, head mounted, turn on the key and nice sound comming from engine.
After 3 days, there was still coolant on oil. Head removed again and all looked fine.
I removed the sump and filled the water galeries of the block, and I lay down under the engine to see what is going on and I noticed water slowling dripping throughn the headbolt holes (!!!) and falling in sump.
After hours checking and inspecting the conclusion is BLOCK CRACKED!
Still cannot believe it and I would like to hear from you guys if someone had this kind of experience, or maybe I am wrong and loose something.

Help will be appreciated.

You could try a CHEMIWELD type product that gets added to clean water in the system ( that means, flushing all coolant out) It may stop the crack leaking for a while if you are lucky.