Hi
I need some help, I have a freelander 1.8 Petrol, year 99. The headgasket has gone twice during the last three months and the head skimmed twice. Since, each time after driving it, the coolant pipes keep blowing, whether its the pipe coming out from the radiator, near the thermostat and recently the one from the coolant tank. The oil in the engine seems to mix with water but not in the coolant tank, no oil present. Note that the temperature sensor didn't go up each time one of the pipe blew, leaking all the water out, which obviously over heated the engine. Could anyone advice what might be the problem? is it the headgasket again?

 

You may have a cracked block or head, more than just the the gasket. The block can be pressure tested. The temp indicator is driven by the ECU, it monitors coolant temp and "decides" when to make a gauge pointer move or a warning light come on. Most OBD2 scanners will show a coolant temp reading, which may give you a more accurate idea of temp inside the cooling system (normal temp, spikes, temp at idle, etc.). There is an exteranl OBD2 port guage, called an Ultra Guage, that can displty temp and othere conditions, reset codes, etc. About $70.

Could also have restricted radiator, keeping you from getting the cooling you need. It takes steam to make hoses rock hard, blow off, etc. Normal pressure in cooling system is under 20 PSI.