Land Rover Freelander - orange brown gunk in coolant overflow

There is frothy gunk in the coolant overflow of this 2002 Land Rover Freelander. This is likely the result of a blown head gasket. See videos of the gasket replacement process here -- I'm actually in the process of replacing the head gasket and putting it all back together here -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHnYErMMXjA

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• land
• rover
• freelander
• gunk
• oil
• coolant
• overflow
• fill
• tank

[MedievalTyme]

I found a coolant diagram and see the water flows through the engine block, oil cooler, transmission fluid cooler and IRD cooler. Motor oil looks ok so I guess I'd just better check the transmission and IRD to see if I can find any signs of water in them. That should be the dead giveaway as to where the problem is.

[fuelban]

can I ask what it did turn out to be !, obviously emulsified so water ingress from some place, head gasket most likely or cracked head, ? any way, would like to know what was causing the problem guy... good interesting video.

Thom in Scotland.

[25rsboy]

id think head gasket first, and a very neglected radiator second. if thats not it maybe a cracked block or head?

[donniebrasco24]

@rsxking04 so whats the easy fix? please share

[imjustpassinthru]

When changing your radiator yourself, get a tube of thread sealant containing Teflon for the transmission lines going into the radiator, and be careful not to cross thread the fittings. If you're reasonably careful you won't cross thread. But even if you reinstall the fittings perfectly they will likely have a very slight leak if you don't use thread sealant. Both Permatex and Locktite make thread sealants containing Teflon.

[imjustpassinthru]

If you have a vehicle with more than 100,000 miles on it chances are it needs a new radiator anyway, especially if the cooling system hasn't been kept hygenically clean for the entire life of the vehicle. The importance of cooling system maintenance cannot be overstated. So instead of pulling the heads off or intake manifold gaskets or whatever theory you might have, if it's redish-brown sludge try replacing the radiator first. Thank me later.

[imjustpassinthru]

Listen! All you people searching for clues to why you have brown sludge in your coolant, there is a high liklihood that it's transmission fluid. A lot of people don't know this, but a lot of radiators have transmission coolers built into them. If your's does, you wil see two transmission lines running into the side of the radiator. Transmission line pressure is about 300 psi. A trans cooler leak will put trans fluid in your engine coolant. Solution: change the radiator immediately and flush.

[1998disco72]

Ok how can the transmission have any thing to do with your coolant problem? I was floored when you said that. WOW. Smell it you will know what it is. Never mind you will not know.

[1998disco72]

Blown head gasket

[salmusal]

Are u a mechanic ,, i need an advise , i still don't know what's wrong with my land rover freelander 2002 .. by the way , i noticed ur name ..we are from the same land .. help me out ..lol

[Acecool]

@rsxking04 2003, well 2004 apparently, Land Rover Freelander. I honestly don't know what else I should do with this car other than making lemonade...