Freelander 1 Poor performing V6

[htr]

No I've not bought a V6! I met a fellow who's got his one at the local transmission specialist. It's running very poorly and he suspects a transmission fault - possibly solenoids... The tech doesn't agree!

Anyway after asking a few questions he said it's gutless on the hills. I suggested these things:
Check fuel pump / filter,
use the correct grade of fuel - he's running on 91RON - it should be 95RON at least shouldn't it?
Get on here and look up Hippo's posts re solenoid problems.

Any advice I can pass on would be welcome.

 

[Nodge68]

The KV6 was designed to run on Ron 95. It will run on 91 but the knock sensors will be continuously retarding the ignition timing.
Has any of the VIS stuff been checked? This is a common cause of low power output.
Solonoids in the box control the gear selection, not engine output.
My guess is wrong fuel and a VIS fault, maybe coupled with a melted cat.

 

[htr]

[Has any of the VIS stuff been checked? This is a common cause of low power output.[/QUOTE]

VIS - Variable Intake System - I know nothing about that. What checks can be done?

 

[Skinny Mike]

I'd have thought running a V6 on 91ron fuel would cause a slow and painful death.
I'd try using an octane booster. Run a couple of tanks of high octane fuel with a good system cleaner first, to see if that will sort it.
Then move on to the vis system.
Mike

 

[Nodge68]

VIS - Variable Intake System - I know nothing about that. What checks can be done?

VIS motors fail and the linkage for the power valves wears out.
Checks involve stripping the VIS motors out and taking them apart. The contacts of the switches break loose, requiring soldering. Or the assembly fills with oil, burning out the motor. Sometimes the gears strip too.
VIS faults will show on a decent code reader. Not on a generic OBD2 reader.
Checking power valve linkage is more tricky to do, requiring the inlet plenum removal.

The whole assembly is a cheap and nasty monstrosity and one of BMWs contributions the cheapening of the Freelander.

The original Rover developed VIS system for the KV6 powered Rover 800 was much more reliable but more costly to produce.