Has my head gasket gone ? loss of power as well

[tomkbucks]

ive been having this odd problem - loss of power, sort of a stutter, then coud of black smoke... then sort of clears itself ( almost feels likea blockage ) this happend again yesterday and i realised there was a 'smell' pulled over and could hear my water was ' hot ' the gage in the truck was still only at half way BUT when i opened the top it looks like ive lost some water... ive also got an oil leak from somewere around the block.. ive prob lost between the min and max marker on the dip stick in the last couple of months too... so got me thinking could this mean my head gasket has gone as cant see what else would cause a a ' bit of oil and water ' to go... but could this also case the black smoke issue now and again ?

[Banjo]

As a rule black smoke is fuel related, could be a faulty injector.  If I was you I'd check the stat , give the cooling system a good flush and see what it's like then,  also make sure the fins of the rad are not full of mud. The oil loss could just be valve guide seals, do you get a puff of smoke when it first starts , also when you change gear.

[tomkbucks]

i do every now and again but its a landrover so im used to it ! i do seem to have an oil leak... and put it down to the fact that with loosing a bit of water the head gasket could be on its way out...

[Range Rover Blues]

Water loss, check the water pump and also the housing behind it where it meets the block, then check all the hoses for fretting.  A head gasket would give you a very clear symptom like prsurising water or a ticking at the back of the engine.