hi all, new here, have just purchased a 2003 4.4 v8 vogue, which has blown its head gasket(s), i have searched the web but cannot find any info on changing them- does asnyone have any tips/advice- i might consider doing the spanner work myself and sending the heads off to be skimmed etc, only if i can find any information on the job!

Hi,

Th reason you cant find any info on it is because it's virtually unheard of for the BMW M62 Engine to blow a head gasket, unless SEVERELY overheated. And usually if it has been overheated that much then the HG's are the least of your worries.

Are you 100% certain that the HG has failed as this engine can exhibit cetrain symptoms that mimic a blown HG.

Mayo in the oil is very common for example caused by a leaking PCV system, which will also cause missfires and codes that a dealer will say is HG failure.

Can you list the symptops?

Dan 

thanks for the response dan, i will know more when i collect the vehicle atthe weekend- it has been diagnosed by landrover dealership as head gasket failure- still runs to move around etc. will update once collected.

Definitely verify for yourself - The PCV hoses fail around 50K so there have been instances of these failing within the warranty period. This results in the LR garage replacing the HG under warranty, but at the same time they throw new hoses on - so the problem is fixed. But the problem is chalked up to the HG. 

thanks dan- very imformative- i will check that out prior to any work being unndertaken!

Dan,

Collected the car today- it is displaying no symptons of gasket failure- oil is clean- water is clear and doesnt smell of anything other than antifreeze- temp gauge sits dead central when sat ticking over, havent driven it yet just moved on drive. It was recovered by the aa to landrover dealership with a thermostat problem- top house at 88degrees and the termostat hose at 30 degrees- i am thinking start with thermostat, despite the landrover dealer saying its a gasket! any thoughts?

The coolant temperature should be around 100C (undere pressure it doesnt boil) You can test the thermostat in a pan of water on the hob - it may or may not have an openning temperature stamped on it. Put it in some water bring it to the boil with a thermometer in there to verify the temperature it opens. Or if it opens before the water boils then it's OK.

Did you get it for a bargain price?

Dan 

thanks dan- that was my intention to whop it out and see if it still opened in boiling water- will try tomorrow all being well- yes bought it very sensible money! enough in there to hav ethe lump replaced....if required- i hope not!

had the stat out yesterday- bit unusaul it appeared to have an electrical connector on the housing?? anyway, looks like a duff stat as itfailed to open when the water in the pan was boiling....will order one and get it on next weekend.

tommac22 wrote:

had the stat out yesterday- bit unusaul it appeared to have an electrical connector on the housing?? anyway, looks like a duff stat as itfailed to open when the water in the pan was boiling....will order one and get it on next weekend.

The Thermostat housing contains a heater so the ECU can force the thermostat open in anticipation of high load - for example if you boot it whilst towing up a long hill, the ECU will immediately predict increased cooling will be required so heats the stat to open it fully, rather than waiting for super hot water to make its way all round the engine and then to the stat.

Clever stuff. 

ahh! indeed very cleaver stuff- thaks for clearing that up dan