Jake Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I've replaced the head gasket on my Mrs' FreeLander (1.8 K Series engine) but the engine won't start. It turns over OK and stinks of fuel after trying to start it a few times. I'm not sure I've got the HT leads on in the correct order on the distributor cap. When I took it apart I marked 1,2,3,4 on the cap and the leads with a marker pen but when the (skimmed) head came back from the machine shop it had been steamed cleaned - with the distributor cap still bolted to the head. Obviously the marker pen numbers I put on the cap are not there now. Because of steam cleaning I guess I'll have to take the distributor cap off and give it a good clean out. (Taking the cap off is easier said than done on a Freelander) but I'll still be left with not knowing which order the HT lead go onto the cap. There's nothing about it in the Haynes manual either. In fact for just about any electrical issues it says "Take your vehicle to the nearest Land Rover dealer" If I could just find out which postition on the distributor is #1 I'd be OK. Any ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucifer Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 If IBC, as you look at it it is the top right. But that was on an early Kseries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 distributor should have a cut out in it or a mark...thats no.1 also make sure the no.1 piston is at tdc as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 11, 2006 Author Share Posted February 11, 2006 Just got in. Thanks for the replies guys. Not sure what IBC means though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffvalenti Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Hi Jake If you get No1 cylinder on the firing stroke at TDC you the rotor arm should be pointing at No1 in the cap. Turn the engine over by hand whilst watching the camshafts. When No4 cylinder valves are at the point where the exhaust valve is just closing and the inlet valve is just opening, No 1 cylinder is on the firing stroke, look at the rotor arm and it should be pointing at No 1 lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 Thanks for that Geoff, excellent advice as always. Well, she's all back together now and running great. I did four oil changes this afternoon to get all the water out but it's nice and clear now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffvalenti Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Well done Jake. Hopefully your run of bad luck with engines has finished now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 So you're selling it quickly then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 15, 2006 Author Share Posted February 15, 2006 Sadly, she won't hear of it John. She really loves her car. Actually it was quite straightforward to change the head gasket. The parts are cheap too. Well, compared to Toyota they're cheap. e.g. £25 for a head gasket So it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to do the head gasket again in another 40,000 miles time. I reckon I could do it in a day now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Just love the K series not, we have done 3 gaskets on two cars. Total rubbish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 i've heard there is a problem with n0.1 bore on the k series landys (new engine jobbie) apparently the bore machine went spasso and they still sent the units out?? hearsay from within the trade, though we are seeing alot of head gaskets going now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 a mechanic down road was telling me he wont touch k series engines now.he replaced headgaskets and the new one went same day on his drive. he was showing me a thing he bought to bleed air out of system he paid 140 quid for it and not used it. jake you do lots of work on your own cars.have you learned yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 18, 2006 Author Share Posted February 18, 2006 jake you do lots of work on your own cars.have you learned yourself?Yeah, pretty much. How hard can it be unbolting stuff and putting it back together again? Mostly it's common sense. I have come unstuck a couple of times though - like I didn't know the torque converter has to be unbolted from the drive plate before splitting the gearbox from the engine, so I did it wrong and had to do it again the right way when the engine wouldn't turn over! (that was on my Supra, not the Land Rover this thread is about) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted February 18, 2006 Author Share Posted February 18, 2006 a mechanic down road was telling me he wont touch k series engines now.he replaced headgaskets and the new one went same day on his drive. he was showing me a thing he bought to bleed air out of system he paid 140 quid for it and not used it.I was just thinking about this and counting myself lucky. Do you know if, when the head was off, he checked the liners hadn't slipped into the block? They're supposed to be very slightly sticking up out of the block. If they aren't the gasket won't ever seal properly and the block is pretty much scrap. Also, you mustn't move the pistons once the head has been untightened because that also disturbs the liners. It's a crap design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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