[smudge.g]

i had, until recently, a year 2000 Freelander fitted with the 1.8 non turbo K series engine. After only a few months of ownership, it had a suspected HGF and although I drove it, albeit sounding very rough, to the garage, it didnt overheat noticeably. Anyway, the garage diagnosed HGF, suggested the usual fixes as well as an uprated cooling system. They said the original cooling system was the main problem and the thermostat would open, flushing the engine block in cooled water, causing thermal shock and eventual HGF. I found a local garage that dealt with reconditioned 1.8s around London and a refurbished engine was fitted, along with all the improvements, i was amaze how light it was too. It didnt overheat seriously again but the temp needle would start to rise if stuck in traffic, so i never really trusted it anymore.
It seems there are still thousands of individuals involved in a class law suit against land Rover due to the design fault and the fact that even a fixed 1.8 would probably fail again. Many people lost thousands having to have whole engines replaced and why I got rid fairly soon after that. It was a lovely car just spoilt by that one engine, in my view!!