Engine choice

[roscoe]

My wife fancies a Freelander for herself and I have been trying to persuade her to look at the TD4. She, however, is adamant that she wants petrol.

I know all the horror stories re the early petrol engines blowing head gaskets, however, what I would like to know is was this problem rectified on the facelift model from 2004 onwards?

Is it still risky looking at a petrol?

[Xtremeteam]

dont bother with a petrol as it "will" pop a gasket at some point & "will"  probably require an engine,



go for the TD4  

[gords]

dont bother with a petrol as it "will" pop a gasket at some point & "will"  probably require an engine

Is this a recurring problem, or is it fixed the first time it happens?

[roscoe]

Thought as much, a TD4 it is then.

Now to find one within budget.

Thanks for the advice.

[Xtremeteam]

dont bother with a petrol as it "will" pop a gasket at some point & "will"  probably require an engine

Is this a recurring problem, or is it fixed the first time it happens?

the 1800 petrol is the VM diesel of the freelander world,

once it goes its gone  :lol: might get away with just fitting a gasket but it might need to come back apart in the near future again

[gords]

dont bother with a petrol as it "will" pop a gasket at some point & "will"  probably require an engine

Is this a recurring problem, or is it fixed the first time it happens?

the 1800 petrol is the VM diesel of the freelander world,

once it goes its gone  :lol: might get away with just fitting a gasket but it might need to come back apart in the near future again

What I mean is - does the gasket go once, get replaced (engine rebuilt/whatever) and then it's fine ... or ... it has the potential to go even after it's been fixed/replaced the first time?

[V8MoneyPit]

The problem lies with the tiny water capacity. A very small loss in water for any reason causes hot spots which in turn cause gasket failure or, worse still, liner movement. In either case, it can cause enough damage to require an engine replacement.

It is fair to say there are hundreds of thousands of petrol Freelanders that go through 100k miles without trouble.... the problem is that tens of thousands do suffer problems and this is a huge percentage. All cars have problems, but the K series has far too many.

If the engine is properly serviced and the coolant system is properly purged/bled when the anti-freeze is replaced, it should never suffer. However, it is very difficult to purge the system of air completely and that's when the sorrows begin.

[gords]

If the engine is properly serviced and the coolant system is properly purged/bled when the anti-freeze is replaced, it should never suffer. However, it is very difficult to purge the system of air completely and that's when the sorrows begin.

So Steve, are you saying that it is not something that gets fixed with the first head gasket replacement? In fact, it could potentially happen more than once?

[wheelspinner]

Missus's freeloader is on engine number 2 and gasket number 3,so yes probably is a recurring problem.
When it is fixed i will be taking it for a tour of the local scrapyard to warn it of its fate if it doesnt behave

[gords]

Missus's freeloader is on engine number 2 and gasket number 3

:shock:

So, what is the pre TD4 diesel engine like?

[barmiebrumie]

Missus's freeloader is on engine number 2 and gasket number 3

:shock:

So, what is the pre TD4 diesel engine like?

swmbo want's one as well so if early deisle's are ok thats what we will get, I think they ar montego/meastro engines but maybe wrong, if so they were good hard workung plodders,



John.

[V8MoneyPit]

I believe the TD4 is the common rail BMW unit, a real gem of an engine. Not excessively rattly (as Land Rover diesels go!) and quite pokey.

The earlier diesels are the UK unit.

I'd avoid the petrol, just because it can get painfully expensive if it does go wrong. And, as stated elsewhere, repair doesn't seem to cure the problem necessarily.

[Terminus]

TD4 is a lovely engine - it would run better if chipped because the only tiny little niggle is a response delay when you stick the foot down from stationary or slow speeds, it seems to pause then decides to go.

But quite quiet for a diesel and as mentioned above not very rattly or rough sounding as some earlier diesels can be.

[Thrasher]

I recall way back when the first Freelanders came out - I had one as a courtesy. Pulled up at the diesel pump only to find it was a petrol! Noisy little beggars the early ones - no soundproofing ;-)

Having said that - the last TD4 "Sport" I had was a pile of dingos kidneys. No power, no acceleration - no guts :( .. but as the nice lady pointed out - this "ain't no supercharged Range Rover so be careful when pulling out...."

[pondy653]

Had my TD4 for about 3 months now, went to France in it this summer and returned 40 MPG, over 2000 miles.  The Rover diesel isn't worth the bother, it's like the difference between the 2.5 TD and 200Tdi in 90s and 110s.  The Rover diesel also has 2 timing belts that cost a small fortune to replace in labour costs, the TD4 is a timing chain.
If you look around you'll find a TD4's for reasonable money.
Don't be tempted by any other engine.
Happy hunting

[gords]

If you look around you'll find a TD4's for reasonable money.

Define "reasonable money"

[pondy653]

My 51 was 6500 from a trader with 70K on it, which means it had lost about 11k in 5 years,