2.2 LWB petrol

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Hi All

Wat's the general consensus on the 2.2 LWB petrol circa 1996.

I am currently looking at a LWB to use for an overland trek late this year or early next, I have been looking at Disco II's but there are loads of shocking examples around and I came across the 2.2 for a reasonable price but before taking the plunge I thought I'd ask the expert's on here as I have heard loads of head gasket problems but not sure if they were diesels or petrols.

I will have to sell my shorty as I'm getting grief about the number of vehicles i've got and another one will only cause argument with err in doors.

[Drift]

Greg was going to weld two hinges to the head on a 2.2 petrol engine he had to make changing the gasket easier

Its that or the bottom end failing that are the major problems.

[vauxsqueeks]

Hmmm, they are known for Hg problems, but from my experience there has always been mittigating circumstances..

1. Bodged main water pipe. These break if the clips are too tight, which will lead to either coolant loss, airlocking and overheating or all which will lead to a failed hg.

2. The return pipe in the expansion tank missing or fallen off. This will stop coolant getting back into the radiator on cooling and lead to airlocks / overheating / headgasket.

If they have been fitted properly they should be no issues ( at least no more than any other car with that engine that do not have hg issues.

That said its not too bad a job and not that expensive if you do it yourself with fairly basic tools.

Of the 3 Fronty B 2.2 petrols I currently have 2 had been bodged and both had broken coolant pipes where someone had drilled the smaller of the 2 out, sleeved it with a piece of copper pipe wrapped in ptfe tape with a layer of epoxy over the top. As the heat expands/contracts when cold, this just cracks and its not long before you are heading only 1 way..

As for the 3rd Fronty, I have not started to strip that yet to see if I have to buy another replacement pipe.

IMHO, they are not as bad as their reputation but look deeper into the cause, not just at the end result.

As for the bottom ends.. 2 of the Fronties are fine and I am lead to believe that issues can occur if there has not been regular oil and filter changes as the pins that connect the conrods to the pistons have a habit of punching a hole in the block due to wear and lack of lubrication... cue Fronty 3...



You pays your money and takes your choice, though for me, on a long haul like that diesel would be preferable. But wouldn't have a proble,m with a 2.2.

[Gazeddy]

ive only had one major problem with mine and it was my fault. lack of maintenance let the cam belt snap

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Thanks chaps

They are not asking big money for it, so may give it a punt.

Only 2 owners from new and the last owner has had it for 4 years and done loads of stuff to it (all at a main dealer garage) inside it's very clean and tidy mileage is 120,000 and there does not appear to be any (or not much) rust on the body work.

[ghosthunter]

Id have no problem with a 2.2. I bought mine with blown head gasket............did all the work myself and have now covered over 40,000 miles in it over the last 3 years with NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.......its been ultra reliable. it now stands at 145000miles
The trouble is there are more 2.2 petrol out there than most of the others..so it stands to reason that there are more reported faults.
Recently theres been a huge rise in 2.2 DTI pumps failing..along with other probs on the forum. Every model has its probs.
People only post about their problems...and most people only join when they have one.
Just make sure the cooling system is in good order, change the oil and filter regulary and dont thrash it.
I've been to southern Spain and back several times in mine and I dont have any breakdown cover
Just my luck for it all to go t*ts up now i've said my piece!

[justdan]

Iv a 2.2 swb ! I replaced the engine 6 months fter buying it that's now 6 years ago ! 148000 on the clock and still going ! Granted that's only 60k on the new engine , be strict with your right foot and maintain her well and she will be fine

Ooooooooooo and get a code reader ( every frontera owner should have 1 lol )