Freebie Problems.

[turtle]

Brother-in-law paid a visit this weekend he drives a S reg 1.8 Freelander.

Whilst out the freebie would loose power, the engine did'ntstop running but just slow nearly to a stop, this would happen ever 3/4miles or so. So in the end a tow home was needed. And called the AA, who I must admit were out withing 20 minutes, we explained the problem and the guy started looking around firstly rev-ing the engine, which didn't sound right, he then took off the air filter and checked the distributor and points, replacing the the point with a new one didn't seem to make much difference, then check all the plugs pot No. 2 seems a bit damp, he then said it was the start of a head gasket, now I though you had over heating problems and water loss and also signs around the engine if the head was going or gone, but none of the symptoms were present. He then put some crystals into the water systems (some kind of sealer, he callled them magic crystals!) and said that should be able to get you home. (Gosport 138 miles away :!: ) They then took it out for a spin, all seemed ok.

BIL then decided to make a move home rounded up the kids and set off  leaving my place around 4:30 saying or goodbye's etc. 5:10 the phone rings "Were just outside Bicester and it happend again, AA are on they way." Not a happy bunny. Second AA Man after checking the car thinks it could be a blocked Cat? AA arrange for a low loaded to take them home.

So the questions are has anyone else had/or know of thii sort of problem? could be a blocked cat converter or a head gasket starting to go? or something else?

Would be intresting to know what you think.


BIL has taken it to a garage this morning for investigations, will report back there findings.

[V8MoneyPit]

The 1.8 K series is a very high tech modern design. It is an all aluminium engine and the head studs pass right through the block too. It also uses a steel head gasket. Unfortunately, there have been design faults highlighted.

The classic problem with these K series 1.8's is that the steel head gasket can slip creating a small coolant loss. These engines only have a very small coolant capacity and so, only a little lost can cause trouble. After the coolant loss, you get hotspots around the cylinder liners that can then work loose...... big bang and a bill for £3500 for a new engine.

Type freelander head gasket into Google. You will get plenty of results  :( There are reports from people who insist the temperature did not go up prior to the failure. So it seems overheating of the coolant (at least at the point where it's measured) is not always the direct cause.

With luck, this isn't this problem. But the loss of power could be a partial seizure. If this is the case, Land Rover have recognised the fault and will foot the bill, so long as the car has a full LR main dealer service history. Before buying our 1.8 Freebie, we went through major discussions with various people, including main dealers (more than one) on this very subject. So I have learned quite a lot!

[turtle]

Cheers Steve, will pass that info on.

[JeepCher53]

Hi Turtle
I had an R reg Freelander a while ago (1.8i) and funny enough I started to have the same sort of problems! Mysteriously one evening coming home late from work, I approached the last round about on the A417 to Gloucester and couldn't get any power to get past the round a bout. Called the RAC. Big, big mistake. RAC did not come out to me and I was left stranded with a broken down motor. Called Hubby in the end as I was on the side of the road in an unlit area on my own. It happened again a few weeks later and by now I was sick of it - my job depends on a reliable vehicle.   Long and short is: I sold the Freelander very quickly after advice from other owners/dealers etc.  Waited a month and got the TDi I have now.  No comparison - this Freelander will probably go on forever and it has completed some very tough green lanes (or bogs really) lately including some deep fords.  Long live the TDi!!   :lol:

[turtle]

Hi Esther,

Did you ever find out what the problem was?, BIL has now taken the car to his local garage, should find out later today what the problem is/was.

I think its fuel related, but not sure  :?

[V8MoneyPit]

The most common faults with modern cars are electrical. With fuel delivery faults it is often the pump relay. Pumps tend to be quite reliable, it seems. We are only just beginning to get requests for injection Mini pumps and they started production in 1992. But relays fail all the time! Had the same failure on an old 1988 Merc and then on a 3 month old Seat Arosa. However, in both cases the car simply wouldn't start.

I do hope it isn't the dreaded K series problem, but the symptoms certainly point to it. Had someone in just yesterday afternoon who had a customer with an MGF doing exactly the same thing.

[JeepCher53]

Hi Phil
It was most likely fuel injectors and something else which I can't remember. But it was best got rid of  in the end as other problems started to arise.
Esther

[turtle]

Not heard from BIL yet.... so not sure what the problem is, but will find out.

Thanks

[turtle]

BIL has now had the car fixed, its seems both AA men were incorrect in there diags (where have I heard that before)

It was the fuel pump, causing all the problems, a new pump has now been fitted and all is ok again.

And he's now looking to replace the car.  :D

[Porny]

There is actually a known fault.... where by the fuel pump gets changed when not needed.... apparently there is a filter within the pump that gets blocked - which gives the symptons described.
This filter, originally, was un-avaliable as a seperate part... but now is.

I did have the Land Rover Technical Release Paper some-where... the one that is sent to Land Rover Dealers.


Ian

[V8MoneyPit]

Gald to hear it wasn't too severe. Is he selling the car just because of this problem, or because we have frightened him with doom and gloom stories?? We bought one even after reading/hearing about all the potential problems. However, we are looking to trade in for a TD4 as soon as we can afford it.

[turtle]

Steve, he just had enough of problems with the car, hes owned it for the past 2 years and had nothing but problems, its a true offroader, always off the road in a garage somewhere. We went on hoilday to Hastings and for 2 days it was in a garage! So he now decided to sell and upgrade to a 110's if he can find one for the right price.

[V8MoneyPit]

Hmmm.... it does seem that the Freelander is either fine or REALLY dreadful for reliability. I don't wish to tempt fate, but, so far, ours has been OK. Having said that, it hasn't yet reached 30k miles in it's 4 years of life. It's already had it's 48k mile service!

It does things that you would never accept in any other car... squeeks and rattles, loose bits of trim, etc. But we seem to accept it, and even smile about it, because 'it's a Land Rover'  :lol: