Unedited, what more can I say?

"The K-series engine is prone to head gasket failure whatever car it is
installed in. The problem is worst in big, heavy cars like the
Freelander, but it happens in Elises and Sevens as well.

Light, compact and powerful as it might be, the design of this engine
is deeply flawed in several key areas. The design of the seal between
the top of the liners and the head/gasket places too much strain on
the gasket and causes premature failure. Not helped by the metal of
the liners expanding at a different rate to the surrounding block and
head.

The second problem is that the standard of casting on these engines is
crude, and varies dramatically. If you get a bad one it seems to pop
gaskets until you give up and chuck it in a skip. Others are better.
It's pot luck what you get.

The third problem is that the thermostat is placed on the return from
the radiator rather than the outlet. A ludicrous design which relies
on heat soak from the head side of the 'stat to "overcome" the cold
water in the radiator before the thermostat opens. This holds the
thermostat closed for too long, causing head temperatures to rise
excessively. When the thermostat does eventually open, this (too) hot
cylinder head is suddenly subjected to thermal shock from the cold
radiator water hitting it. It's a comically bad design.

The thermostats have also been observed to "bounce" several times
before they open. As soon as the cold water rushes through, it closes
the 'stat again, causing head temperatures to rise again. Repeat two
or three times for each engine warm up cycle. The only surprise of K-
series head gaskets is that they last as long as they do."

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2006 Pearl Green CRD
Magnaflow 2 1/2" Cat Back
KJ Extra Leg Room Brackets, Carter Lift Pump, V6 Airbox, ORM
Fuel cooler, Oil Separator, Progard 7
Gauges EGT Boost Trans Temp Oil Pres, Michelin LXT AT2 245 70 R16
7,000# Draw Tight hitch, PML EX Deep Trans Pan
Centrifuge, SunCoast, Transgo, RAM TCM, InMotion Stage 2
Wife's 99 TDI VW Beetle

I'm not sure what the "K" series engine is but if it's a VM product I can add that Jeep also used a VM diesel starting in the 92 XJ. I belong to a VM group and they there are plenty of head gasket problems to o around Also there was a Ford product that used a VM diesel, Scorpio maybe.

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Drove a Freelander in Europe. K series engines are gas not diesel. Freelanders used a KV6 gas engine and a Merdedes supplied Diesel engine.

Speaking of crappy engine designs, let's not forget the diesel in the 300SDL, their "experiment" with aluminum heads. One hot day where the temperature exceeds the thermostat setting, you get head cracks.

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'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

My '86 had 250K miles on it with the original head when I sold it. There was a silent recall to replace the trap oxidizer, which could take out the turbo and cause major damage.

The stroked version of this engine used in the 350 SD/SDL had huge problems with egg shaped cylinders, bent rods, and heavy oil consumption.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_K_engine

The Rover diesels are either MB or Ford "puma" sourced and both are supposedly quite good.... There's a reason you usually only hear about reliability issues with gasoline land rover products and the electronics systems that support them. Rover apparently doesn't know how to make gasoline EFI products, well not until Ford dropped their system into it a few years back. The diesels (with the possible exception of the TD5, which is apparently quirky) are rock solid when maintained properly.

Dan

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2005 Silver CRD Limited
245/75R16 GoodYear Duratracs
Fumoto drain | ProVent CCV Filter
Stanadyne FM100 filter | Cummins fuel pump
GDE Eco | SEGR | BoulderBars | FrankenLift | Frankenskids

before K - Rover used a Buick 215 ci Aluminum v8 for ~30+ years
that was the one that GM canceled after the 61 Buick Special.............

_________________
2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

wow, what a messed up design.....

_________________
2008 KK Liberty Sport NIGHT OPS EDITION + GILLS
OEM & Custom Skids - Factory Tow Package - Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
Prototype JBA 4 Inch Lift - JBA UCA's - Flowmaster Super 44 OR - Whacked Resonator
Jet Stage 2 - RL Gecko Basket Rack - Custom Winch Bumper - Recon 10.5K Winch

My 87 300SDL had 240k. Ran just fine. Miss it.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

All the issues associated with the aluminum head rose arose on thermostat failures or slightly overheated conditions, or so I read on the Mercedes Shop forum. Maybe the reason that engine is poorly regarded is because the OM617 is so bulletproof. You can run that thing over 250F and never even know the difference.

_________________
'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

I'm most likely wrong but didn't Buick use the same engine in a V6 version up though the 80's?(Grand National)

because the GN 3.8L was an Iron V6 I though it was different - but Wiki says you're right
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V6_engine

it's also the V6 they sold to Jeep -

so as an Iron 3.8L V6 the design worked great - as an Aluminum 3.5L V8 it didn't....

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Domestic, Import they all got problems, I think a bunch of loyalists to a big name auto maker that starts with a T just got a good slap in the face. I will say no more.

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2006 LTD Bright Silver loaded with all the needed mods, CCV intact.
Proudly supporting CRD vendors, and their development of quality parts and accessories.
Equipped with HDS thermostat, plenty of heat, faster warm-ups, increased fuel mileage.