Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Freelander 2.5 V6 engine top rebuild. So this one is a big long video guys! A lot of work on rebuilding both heads and changing the exhaust valves. Hopeful useful for someone thinking about doing the same job and maybe not feeling brave enough. Takes a while but very doable.
This is just the way I prefer to do things in this video, others will probably have other preferences, like using the official cam timing tools, but this is just the way I did it and prefer it. Hopefully there are some useful tips as well. I have rebuilt a number of these k-series engines now with lessons learned over the years and I think I have the techniques to get it reliable and also quite cheap to do, with plentiful part availability at great prices. This is helped by Kia also building the KV6 engine under license from Rover, so for instance the set of 12 exhaust vales were only £45 and the complete top engine (for 2 heads) with head bolts was only £80.
The KV6 is a nice engine design, slightly hampered by some BMW plastic parts influences, but these can be coped with or improved. e.g. see the Thermostat strengthening modifications.
Some people have difficulty getting the rear (right) exhaust manifold off the head but by long extensions/socket from underneath it is not too bad. Reassembling without the cam carrier on the head is also a lot easier.
Here is the Chapter breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Inlet manifold / Plenum Removal
03:15 - Quick Check of Cambelt Timings
04:00 - Check we have a Spark at Plugs
05:15 - Compression Testing
06:15 - Compression Testing
06:53 - Top of Engine Dismantling
10:00 - Cylinder Head Off (1)
13::26 - Cylinder Head Off (2)
15:27 - Stripping Down the Heads
18:23 - Removing Valves
20:07 - Valve Lapping in
29:20 - Head Back On (1)
31:52 - Sealing on the Cam Carrier
33:56 - Changing the Rear cambelts
38:33 - Heater Pipe Renovation
39:06 - Change the Header Tank!
40:11 - Cylinder Head (2) Reinstall
41:13 - Thermostat Strengthen / Check
46:38 - Cam Timing Check / Re-Adjust
48:31 - Inlet Manifold Seal Tip
50:19 - VIS Valves Check / Strip
55:54 - Final Assembly Tips
59:45 - Coolant Bleeding
01::02:54 - Engine START!
01:03:22 - FINISHED!
Some buying sources I used:
Epoxy steel putty for thermostat strengthening:
eBay UK: ebay.us/uszTwv
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3lZA6Aw
Amazon USA and other countries: amzn.to/3lSdm5D
Compression tester: Amazon: amzn.to/40yQrLA
Spark plug spanner 16mm: Amazon: amzn.to/3nGErcc
Loctite 574 sealant:
ebay uk: ebay.us/47eqeX
Ebay usa: ebay.us/o8upPg
KV6 Head gasket set with new head bolts:
eBay uk: ebay.us/o3xy4M
eBay usa: ebay.us/QVrHWf
KV6 exhaust valves:
ebay uk: ebay.us/QC31Pz
ebay usa: ebay.us/11TyZo
Fuel rail O-rings and O-rings for thermostat pipe etc: ebay uk ebay.us/qGIE8A
And: ebay.us/eAS981
And see mgrs.co.uk
KV6 Cambelt ebay uk: ebay.us/Dq0R7b
pulleys: ebay.us/Vwxt5I
Subscribe to the channel for similar DIY stuff here:
youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=comeinhandynow
Note, click on the bell symbol on my home page.
See other videos on my channel here:
youtube.com/user/comeinhandynow
If anyone wants to show appreciation for any money savings, or just help support the channel and future videos then you now can. Use this link: paypal.me/comeinhandy
OR you can support me by using the Amazon and Ebay links to buy other stuff that you would usually buy, it will not cost you anything more, but will help this channel. e.g. Generally useful stuff:
Rubber disposible gloves are also useful, here's the links for:
eBay USA: ebay.us/GGqmTJ
eBay UK: ebay.us/cE1BHK
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3aikbl8
Amazon USA & other countries: amzn.to/3cdwjpD
Torx bits sets:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2Pgmf48
Or Amazon USA: amzn.to/2XlOK3h
I’m on Facebook here: facebook.com/comeinhandynow
Become a Patron to sponsor here: patreon.com/user?u=31365629&fan_landing=true
The video is about my personal opinion and experience and contains no paid for product placements. No responsibility is accepted for any perceived recommendation for or against a product or feature nor any consequential damage or harm since this video is just my personal experience. You accept by watching this video that you accept any responsibility for any subsequent actions or decisions that you take.
Note on copyright / licensing: This video was created using Apple iMovie and as such any music or video content is fully licensed by their terms and conditions for free publication and distribution.
See the Apple iMovie software license agreement at:
images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iMovie.pdf
Which states "all Sample Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a royalty-free basis in your own video projects"
Freelander 2.5 V6 engine top rebuild. So this one is a big long video guys! A lot of work on rebuilding both heads and changing the exhaust valves. Hopeful useful for someone thinking about doing the same job and maybe not feeling brave enough. Takes a while but very doable.
This is just the way I prefer to do things in this video, others will probably have other preferences, like using the official cam timing tools, but this is just the way I did it and prefer it. Hopefully there are some useful tips as well. I have rebuilt a number of these k-series engines now with lessons learned over the years and I think I have the techniques to get it reliable and also quite cheap to do, with plentiful part availability at great prices. This is helped by Kia also building the KV6 engine under license from Rover, so for instance the set of 12 exhaust vales were only £45 and the complete top engine (for 2 heads) with head bolts was only £80.
The KV6 is a nice engine design, slightly hampered by some BMW plastic parts influences, but these can be coped with or improved. e.g. see the Thermostat strengthening modifications.
Some people have difficulty getting the rear (right) exhaust manifold off the head but by long extensions/socket from underneath it is not too bad. Reassembling without the cam carrier on the head is also a lot easier.
Here is the Chapter breakdown:
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Inlet manifold / Plenum Removal
03:15 - Quick Check of Cambelt Timings
04:00 - Check we have a Spark at Plugs
05:15 - Compression Testing
06:15 - Compression Testing
06:53 - Top of Engine Dismantling
10:00 - Cylinder Head Off (1)
13::26 - Cylinder Head Off (2)
15:27 - Stripping Down the Heads
18:23 - Removing Valves
20:07 - Valve Lapping in
29:20 - Head Back On (1)
31:52 - Sealing on the Cam Carrier
33:56 - Changing the Rear cambelts
38:33 - Heater Pipe Renovation
39:06 - Change the Header Tank!
40:11 - Cylinder Head (2) Reinstall
41:13 - Thermostat Strengthen / Check
46:38 - Cam Timing Check / Re-Adjust
48:31 - Inlet Manifold Seal Tip
50:19 - VIS Valves Check / Strip
55:54 - Final Assembly Tips
59:45 - Coolant Bleeding
01::02:54 - Engine START!
01:03:22 - FINISHED!
Some buying sources I used:
Epoxy steel putty for thermostat strengthening:
eBay UK: ebay.us/uszTwv
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3lZA6Aw
Amazon USA and other countries: amzn.to/3lSdm5D
Compression tester: Amazon: amzn.to/40yQrLA
Spark plug spanner 16mm: Amazon: amzn.to/3nGErcc
Loctite 574 sealant:
ebay uk: ebay.us/47eqeX
Ebay usa: ebay.us/o8upPg
KV6 Head gasket set with new head bolts:
eBay uk: ebay.us/o3xy4M
eBay usa: ebay.us/QVrHWf
KV6 exhaust valves:
ebay uk: ebay.us/QC31Pz
ebay usa: ebay.us/11TyZo
Fuel rail O-rings and O-rings for thermostat pipe etc: ebay uk ebay.us/qGIE8A
And: ebay.us/eAS981
And see mgrs.co.uk
KV6 Cambelt ebay uk: ebay.us/Dq0R7b
pulleys: ebay.us/Vwxt5I
Subscribe to the channel for similar DIY stuff here:
youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=comeinhandynow
Note, click on the bell symbol on my home page.
See other videos on my channel here:
youtube.com/user/comeinhandynow
If anyone wants to show appreciation for any money savings, or just help support the channel and future videos then you now can. Use this link: paypal.me/comeinhandy
OR you can support me by using the Amazon and Ebay links to buy other stuff that you would usually buy, it will not cost you anything more, but will help this channel. e.g. Generally useful stuff:
Rubber disposible gloves are also useful, here's the links for:
eBay USA: ebay.us/GGqmTJ
eBay UK: ebay.us/cE1BHK
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3aikbl8
Amazon USA & other countries: amzn.to/3cdwjpD
Torx bits sets:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2Pgmf48
Or Amazon USA: amzn.to/2XlOK3h
I’m on Facebook here: facebook.com/comeinhandynow
Become a Patron to sponsor here: patreon.com/user?u=31365629&fan_landing=true
The video is about my personal opinion and experience and contains no paid for product placements. No responsibility is accepted for any perceived recommendation for or against a product or feature nor any consequential damage or harm since this video is just my personal experience. You accept by watching this video that you accept any responsibility for any subsequent actions or decisions that you take.
Note on copyright / licensing: This video was created using Apple iMovie and as such any music or video content is fully licensed by their terms and conditions for free publication and distribution.
See the Apple iMovie software license agreement at:
images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iMovie.pdf
Which states "all Sample Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a royalty-free basis in your own video projects"
