Head Gaskets and Freelanders - how often might these blow?

[PavlovGuyFawkesCat]

The head gasket on the W reg freelander which we have owned for a short time has just blown. DH was on the way to the dealer where we bought to get the overheating problem sorted, and en route it became too hot to drive, so he called AA to tow him there.

The Dealer is fixing it no questions as it is in warranty, but what we want to know, if this has happened once, is it more likely to occur again in the future? Is this something that if it is a problem on that particular car, it will always be a problem, or is it that now is has gone, thats it, after being fixed should be fine? (ie should we sell it and get a different car?)

I ask, as I had heard that Freelanders are either completely reliable with no faults or it is faulty and has lots go wrong with it including head gasket etc etc, and will always be faulty (ie a dud car) But the general info seemed to be, if it is reliable, it will stay that way.

thank you Korma - that is what we thought, was sort of hoping that it was not actually true .

Do you know how many miles this has done? 74,899 !!! How close it that to your estimate!

DH has been give some 'things' (i sort went blank when he spoke of it) that stop the whatever it is that happens that causes the head gasket to blow....any ideas what they are? Could they work?

We do like the Freelanders - so is the head gasket issue less likely to apply to a diesel? We were very green and it was a sort of impulse buy really.

Korma - yes, it is exactly that, you win 2 prizes!!! I guess that is why we got a good deal for it . We did hear about it, I guess chose to ignore it. Oh well, back we go, for another car, diesel with me more costly to purchase.

Incidentally, we have been using a HUGE amount of fuel. We knew the economy of the car would not be great compared to our old 2l diesel but, its horrendous - is this likely to be due to it overheating for the last few weeks (it has been running hot, but just over half/two thirds after driving for say, hour, compared to today, when it was in the red within 7 miles and by the time DH could pull over safely!).

How crap of LR not to do anything about it if they know about it

. I love my car

oh yes, the petrol freelanders are renowned for it, lucky it was still under warranty.
Diesel much better.

Moshie - I am soooooo relieved it was under warranty, otherwise it would have been painful wouldn't it?

They have given DH a hire car....a FIAT Punto!

Head gasket repairs should last well, but you never know. particularly with the 1.8 K series engine which is very sensitive to overheating. A good repair should use the latest metal dowels and an improved gasket, which is supposed to reduce the risk of recurrence, but it still won't eliminate it. The main thing is not to allow the engine to overheat. After it is repaired, get a coolant level sensor fitted.

Brown and Gammons supply a coolant sensor, which is advertised for the MGF/TF. It may or may not fit a Freelander K series engine. You'd need to ask.