Hi there I have a Land Rover Freelander 1.8 k series petrol 2000, recently the Head gasket and cylinder head has been replaced, the alternator has been replaced, a new battery has been put on and also the short block has been replaced, the garage has now put everthing back together, I went to pick it up today as they told me it was done but when i got there they said there was a problem still. The problem is that it runs for 10 minutes and then seizes and apparently there is a loss of oil pressure from the bottom but plenty at the top, please can you help as the garage has no idea what this could be. I await your reply

karen, July 2008

I think the garage might have assembled the oil rail the wrong way round,the feed holes from the oil pump are offset and the rail can be fitted on the engine with the holes in the wrong position so no oil feeds through to the main bearings. My wife owns a 2003 1.8 freelander and that head gasket has gone three times, once with the new shim gasket, I am in the process of rebuilding it now with another shim gasket,an upgraded oil rail,pressure tested/skimed head,new cylinder liners/pistons/rings and the correct adhesive for the liners lets hope this works!! if not ,Im going to fit a volvo engine in it

richard, December 2008

Basically the garage have to carry out repairs with 'reasonable competence' or you have a claim against them. So that is what I would do. Tell them to fix it at their expense or take them to the Small Claims Court if the refuse.

Unfortunately that engine (1.8 K Series) is a well-known can of worms and should only be worked on by specialists. That is to say 'Official' or 'Independent' Land Rover dealers and even they get into trouble.

In my opinion one should never use a short engine (I didn't know that you could get even get them) for this car unless the person putting it together is very skilled - see above. However your garage have done so and they will have to get themselves out of the mess they have gotten in to.

t, July 2008

you are describing to all intents a new engine.short blocks usually mean crank/rods/pistons etc.to have oil pressure at head and not crank is wierd.if above is true,then the only thing i can see is the main crankshaft oil gallerys are blocked.these feed the mains and the big ends.if this is so then its probable that the crank wasnt cleaned or flushed properly when the short motor was rebuilt.all is speculation,the sump has to come off for further investigation.

caine, July 2008